Asia-Pacific
Indonesia commemorates tsunami
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-12-27 09:02
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Banda Aceh, Indonesia: Thousands of Acehnese flocked to mosques and other places to commemorate the tsunami which killed over 230,000 people in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand and the Maldives on Dec. 24, 2004.
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 Villagers place stalks of white roses during the anniversary of the Indian Ocean tsunami at the Bann Nam Khem Tsunami Memorial Park in Thailand's Phang Nga province, about 110 km (68 miles) north of the resort island of Phuket December 26, 2009. [Agencies]
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In Aceh province at the northern tip of Sumatra island, over 170,000 people were killed or missing in the tsunami, which also caused massive destruction to infrastructures.
In Aceh, the commemoration centered in mosques and fields by conducting mass pray for the spirits of the victims and the progress of Aceh.
He visited the tsunami museum in Banda Aceh and along with hundreds of Acehneses led pray in Sireun mass grave for the goodness of Aceh.
Over the past five years, Aceh has completed its four-year reconstruction and rehabilitation valued at $7.1 billion donated by the international community.
Hundreds and thousands of houses and scores of roads, education and health facilities, sea ports, airports and a number of other infrastructures, have been rebuilt in the province.
"I expect that the development of infrastructure can be sped up, particularly roads, because it could make economy run well," Darmasiah, a 43-year-old housewife, told Xinhua in Calang of Aceh.
The province has registered over 4 percent economic growth, much higher than during the conflict which was at minus 3 percent, Aceh Vice Governor Muhammad Nazar said.
Indonesia, which is laid on the vulnerable quake-hit area called the "Pacific Ring of Fire," has installed tsunami warning devises along its coastal areas, which could warn people to escape before tsunami occur.
Drills on the possible dangers have also been carried out. A task force which can move fast for emergency assistance at the scene of disaster has been established.
The province has built tsunami evacuation centers.
