The tsunami in Aceh on December 26, 2004, which followed a 9.1-magnitude earthquake, killed more than 170 thousand people and destroyed 250 thousand homes and vital infrastructures in Indonesia and other countries near the Indian Ocean.
"The 2004 tsunami opened the door for peace in Aceh, and the three-decade conflict came to an end," Safrizal recalled during the 20th anniversary commemoration of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, at Banda Aceh's Baiturrahman Grand Mosque here on Thursday.
After decades of conflict between the central government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM), which sought Aceh's independence, the two sides finally agreed to a peace resolution and signed it in Helsinki, Finland, on August 15, 2005, he noted.
The acting governor then highlighted God's grace on Aceh, which was evident in the unified solidarity of the international community that supported the emergency response—an "unprecedented action in the history of modern humanitarian operation."
More than 60 countries, hundreds of international organizations, and thousands of foreign volunteers came to Aceh to help the province recover from one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history.
"We saw the world unite for Aceh. We saw thousands of international volunteers work tirelessly for Aceh; some even sacrificed their lives to help Aceh," Safrizal said.
Reflecting on the tragedy and its aftermath, the acting governor urged the people of Aceh to be thankful and express their gratitude to Almighty God, who, in his grace, moved the world to support the province during its most perilous time two decades ago.
"Twenty years have passed, yet the memory of the devastating disaster remains in our hearts. Nonetheless, we must preserve in our hearts our thankfulness to the Almighty God and for the global community," he remarked.
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Translator: Rahmat Fajri, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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