Integrated People-Driven Reconstruction

After the 2004 tsunami devastated Aceh, Indonesia, nearly half the population in 23 coastal villages was lost, and homes, land records, and infrastructure were destroyed. Survivors partnered with Uplink, a local network of community groups and Non-Governmental Organisations, to rebuild their lives physically, socially, and economically.
Uplink’s “pro-poor” approach focused on letting people return to their coastal land despite government relocation plans. Villagers formed Jaringan Udeep Beusaree (JUB), meaning “live together,” to strengthen solidarity and advocate for their rights. They designed, built, and inspected their own homes, created land maps to re-establish ownership, and developed protective ecological barriers like mangroves and tree lines along the coast.
The project has built 640 temporary shelters and 3,500 permanent homes, free of charge, including some for former Free Aceh Movement members. Sixty percent of construction funds were kept in the villages by hiring local people, making building materials, and starting small businesses. Village-based loan funds and skills training—such as block-making, organic farming, and pedi-cab ownership—have boosted long-term income and resilience.
Environmental recovery is a key focus. Villagers are restoring soil with saline-reducing plants, recycling wastewater, and using renewable energy. Escape routes and hilltop agricultural projects provide both safety and income.
The $45 million program, funded by international donors, has rebuilt homes, restored livelihoods, and strengthened community cohesion, especially for women who were previously marginalised. It has also inspired similar reconstruction efforts in other disaster-affected areas, showing that participatory, community-driven rebuilding can be faster, cheaper, and more sustainable than top-down approaches.
By combining housing, livelihoods, environmental restoration, and social inclusion, the project has turned disaster recovery into a platform for long-term stability and self-reliance.