JAPANESE AID AND HELP TO RECOVERY OF FISHERIES AND FISHING COMMUNITY IN TSUNAMI AFFECTED AREA, INDONESIA

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1 JAPANESE AID AND HELP TO RECOVERY OF FISHERIES AND FISHING COMMUNITY IN TSUNAMI AFFECTED AREA, INDONESIA Masahiro Yamao Hiroshima University 1 Introduction This report focuses on Japanese aid and help to recovery process of fisheries and fishing communities that had been hit by Sumatra Earthquake and Great Tsunami December, In March, 2009, our team conducted observation on some selected sites in Nangore Ache Darussalam and interviewed with local residents and officers in charge of local administration including coastal resource management. This study was an introductory part of evaluating degree of dependence on support of donor agencies and rebuilding of social network in affected communities. A further detailed survey on recovery process of fishing industries will be planned and implemented in the near future. 2 Outline of Japanese Aid for Reconstruction of Tsunami Affected Area Non Project-Type Cooperation Since the earthquake and tsunami disaster occurred on December 26, 2004, the Government of Japan has already provided approximately five billion US dollars to those countries affected by this disaster. Indonesia was hardest hit among the affected countries, so Japan aided 146 billion yen for reconstruction and recovery of affected society based on bilateral agreement between Japan and Indonesia. Immediately after the disaster had occurred, Japan made much effort to prepare for non-project type aid and cooperation following the bilateral agreement, which would be matched with those who were affected by the disaster and society s substantial needs in 1

devastated areas. This is a unique type of aid, in that any concrete plan of project activities was not determined yet when both governments agreed (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2005).

2 devastated areas. This is a unique type of aid, in that any concrete plan of project activities was not determined yet when both governments agreed (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2005). In order to properly manage disaster recovery aid and relief work, the government of Japan assigned Japan International Cooperation System (JICS) to act as an agent of supplying any necessary materials, equipment and aid. It was expected that such a non-project type of cooperation and JICS s mechanism could avoid unclear disbursement of aid and reduce administrative procedures and works in donated countries. Of course, any emergency and aid delivery activities for reconstruction should be undertaken according to the bilateral agreement between both countries. From the earliest stage of the relief effort by the government of Japan, this unique scheme worked on a full scale basis and effectively. Needs Affected country (Indonesia) Representative Agency (Indonesia, BRR) Selection JICS Japan (Donor) Embassy M. Of Foreign Affairs JICA Figure 1 Bilateral Tsunami Relief Cooperation through JICS (Note) The Executing Agency of Rehabilitation and Reconstruction for Ache and Nias (BRR NAD-NIAS) was responsible for representing all concerned Ministries and government Agencies. (Source) Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The author changed partially. According to the bilateral agreement with Indonesia, shown in Table 1, Japan listed up 15 kinds of fields for relief work and reconstruction in Aceh and Nias. There were two kinds of activities directly involved in fisheries and their related fields, namely 2

3 support for the recovery of fisheries, and the support for recovery of markets. Besides, a countless number of relief work and reconstruction were achieved, being related to the recovery of fishing community and society including basic infrastructures. It is clear that the majority of coastal communities hit by the earthquake and tsunami were fishing communities, where most families lost their means of production, such as fishing boats, gears, equipments, and fisheries related infrastructures had heavily been damaged and/ or destroyed. Moreover, the distribution and transportation networks of fisheries products were broken down. Very few traders could continue to deal in fisheries products without any infrastructure. Therefore, a series f recovery program in fisheries field should consider how to restore social network among fish traders and processors, together with the reconstruction of fisheries related infrastructure. Since fishing and fisheries related businesses were major income generating activities in Ache, reconstruction of fisheries business has been a key factor to accelerate building back better recovery of coastal society. Table 1 Non-project type of aid and cooperation from Government of Japan 1 Supply of materials for emergency 2 Reconstruction and recovery of health center 6 Retrieval of water supply and sanitation facilities 7 Reconstruction of hoe for orphans 11 Support for job training centers 12 Support for school 3 Support for TV and Radio broadcasting activities 8 Support for fisheries 13 Retrieval of land property ledgers 4 Reconstruction of road in west coast 5 Retrieval of overflow (and seawall) 9 Retrieval and support of markets 10 Retrieval and support of universities 14 Retrieval of drainage and implementation of model projects 15 others 3

4 (Source) Ministry of Foreign Affair ( Support of fisheries and reconstruction of their related facilities It is reported that the great majority of people affected by Sumatra and great tsunami in 2004 were fishers and their families, and the affected societies were small-scale fishing communities. In March 2005, Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) proclaimed that it was a pressing need to recover both capture fisheries and aquaculture that provided livelihood with a major source of income, and that right to access to fisheries resources should be secured In Indonesia, in fact, the loss of fisheries and their related business was huge, and immeasurable. Livelihood of fishers and fishing communities were mostly destroyed, as fishing boats, gears, and aquaculture facilities were hit by the tsunami. Moreover, institutional arrangement and social network that would secure sustainable use of coastal fisheries resources have fallen into the failure. In Ache, there had been a number of traditional and community-based coastal resource management such as Panglima Lout. This traditional system had so far functioned as participatory and decentralized coastal resource management even before the disaster. Without the restoring of institutional arrangement and social networks, therefore, fisheries and fishing community would have hardly recovered in economic and social terms. Besides such infrastructures as road, electricity, and communication, both domestic and international donor agencies gave a high priority to the recovery of fisheries and their related industries. Enormous aid and support for capture fisheries and aquaculture were provided by the government of Japan, according to the increased demand in the affected regions. The aid and support for fisheries sector can be divided into five groups; (1) equipments and materials for aquaculture (vehicles, truck, and construction machines); (2) construction of aquaculture facilities (digging ponds, and setting up cage and floating 4

5 nets); (3) provision of fishing gears and boats; (4) construction of ice plants (ice-making machine, freezers, and generators); and (5) construction of facilities for fisheries department. 3 A case in Krueng Raya Bay Krueng Raya Bay in Nangroe Aceh Darussalan Krueng Raya Bay is located in the west coast line of Sumatla island, facing Andaman Sea. It is in the northeastern part of Aceh Besar District. We visited and observed a coastal village whose name was Mounasah Keudee, in 2006 and Bogor University of Agriculture planned and implemented Fisheries Livelihood Recovery Program (FLRP) during the period from 2006 and 2007, with financial support from foreign donors. Covering three villages, namely, Mounasah Keudee, Mounasah Mon, and Mounasah Kulam, the university s team conducted several kinds of livelihood activities with emphasizing a great participation from local people, focusing on the recovery of Bagan fisheries and fish processing. These had used to provide a wide variety of opportunities for the creation of jobs and income sources. This was why the university gave a higher priority of relief aid to the recovery of anchovy fisheries, not like other donor agencies which were eager to deliver as many small-scale boats as possible. In addition, as of March 2009, the Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) was undertaking a new project with entitled Capacity Building for Integrated Coastal Zone Management (PKSPL-IPB) in Sigil, Further improvement of socio-economic conditions in Mounasah Keudee Compared with the fisheries situation in 2006, the number of Bagan boats increased from 25 to 45 in 2009, and boats with hook and line increased from 30 to 68. Those boats being specialized in the operation of beach seine also increased from 3 to 7 in number. In this Desa, Banag boats unload huge volume of anchovy and people 5

6 engage in anchovy processing and trading. Krueng Raya Bay Banda Aceh city Nangroe Aceh Darussalam Map Location of Krueng Raya Bay Picture 1 Pulled type of Bagan boat (without engine); this boat was constructed here with financial support from donors. 6

7 Picture 2 A number of Bagan boats are anchored in front of Desa Mounasah Keudee. Development of fish processing There are seven Desas surrounding the Krueng Raya bay, in which Bagan fisheries are the most important fishing business generating job opportunities and income sources. The fisheries have large economic effect on the whole local economy, with providing raw materials to a large number of small-scale processors. Dried and salted fish has been a very important commodity in these seven Desas, which are distributed through several marketing channels, including channels for export. Moreover, a supply of fresh fish to traders and small peddlers In Desa Mounasah Keudee, IPB organized relief works and undertook a series of training programs as regards ship building in order to recover local economy as quick as possible. Along with the improvement of Bagan fisheries, United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and NGOs started with helping mainly women to produce and market dried and salted products. With aid to construct small-scale processing plants, the donors encouraged women to establish microfinance groups for revolving funds. There were three groups, whose membership consisted of 15 persons each group. microfinance. They could secure a source of investment and daily operation through As of 2009, some members had already applied three times for borrowing money from their microfinance groups. The scheme of revolving funds 7

8 worked effectively and sustainably. Relying on such supportive financial arrangement, fish processing business has successfully recovered and further expanded its production and distribution. This gives a positive impact to a further development of Bagan and other fisheries. Desa Mounasah Keudee becomes a major production and distribution center of dried and salted anchovy in its vicinity. Picture 3 (Right & left) Processing facilities newly constructed with financial aid Picture 4 Processing big size fish Picture 5 Drying anchovy 8

9 Major marketing Channels Markets in Banda Aceh Raw materials of fish Banga boats Processors Peddling to neighboring villages Cash payment Processing Collectors (50%) Figure 2 Catch, processing and marketing of anchovy in Desa (Source) interviewed. Infrastructure Development in Desa Mounasah Keud Rebuilding social infrastructure seriously damaged had begun soon after the tsunami disaster, and new and modern facilities were constructed with financial and technical support from donor agencies. Repairing canal and reinforce bank were completed, and new landing places and a market hall were also put into operation. This Desa reclaimed in the front of shallow water beach, and expanded its housing and plant lots. Picture 6 Newly constructed cannel Picture 7 A landing place 9

10 Picture 8 Reclaimed area In Desa Mounasah Keudee, JICS constructed three kinds of facilities, an ice plant, a ship repairing workshop, and a traditional wet market under the scheme of non-project type cooperation. The ice plant is equipped with ice making machines, refrigerators and generators, aiming at producing a block of ice at cheaper price and sell to fishers and traders in this village and its immediate vicinity. Fisheries products were expected to get a higher market price by using ice, since it was thought that the shortage of ice was a great obstacle for fishers to market fish under favorable condition. In spite of such an expectation, as of March 2009, the ice plant had not yet worked on commercial basis except workouts. The Desa administration which is responsible for the management of ice plant cannot afford to put it into operation, because of high costs for fuel. Picture 9 Ice plant constructed in Picture 10 Ship repairing workshop 10

11 (Photo by Tatsumi, K. ) Picture 11 Ship repairing workshop (2009) Immediately after the emergency relief works, donor agencies began to make much effort to construct ship yards in village and training villagers to be skillful shipbuilders. Providing technical assistance was necessary for them to build safe boats, and would secure stable employment opportunity in their life. In a short-run, they joined shipbuilding works to earn money, and some got small-scale boats with engines. Fisheries Livelihood Recovery Program (FLRP) also donated to construct a ship yard in Desa Mounasah Keud. Construction of Bagan fishing boat was given a higher priority in their shipyard, according to the consensus among people. In this program, a number of Bagan and other types of boats were built to be donated to tsunami-affected people. Under such a circumstance, a ship repairing workshop would keep necessary equipments and tools in the storage, which was also donated by JICS as a part of non-project type cooperation. However, small scale repairing workshops were open, so that the Japanese-donated workshop might be idle in its operation. Reconstruction of a traditional market Generally speaking, in Aceh, traditional markets in villages used to play very important role in transaction of agricultural and fisheries products. The earthquake and tsunami destroyed these traditional markets, as a result of which fisheries and 11

aquaculture could hardly restore marketing channels and social networks between fishers and traders.

Trading activities in traditional markets would let affected people to come back to cash economy, with less dependence on donor support.

However, not many people have effectively dealt in fisheries products at the market, because of its architectural and design problems.

Picture 12 Newly constructed traditional market Development of Bagan fisheries and its impact to local economy Most of respondents we interviewed highly appreciated that the

12 aquaculture could hardly restore marketing channels and social networks between fishers and traders. JICS granted to reconstruct traditional markets in tsunami affected communities, in order to restore and revitalize local economy as a whole. Trading activities in traditional markets would let affected people to come back to cash economy, with less dependence on donor support. According to this scheme, in Desa Mounasah Keud, JICS constructed a traditional market. However, not many people have effectively dealt in fisheries products at the market, because of its architectural and design problems. A weekly bazaar is opened to gather local people. Picture 12 Newly constructed traditional market Development of Bagan fisheries and its impact to local economy Most of respondents we interviewed highly appreciated that the recovery and rapid development of Bagan fisheries, because this particular type of fishery d used to contribute d to the rapid improvement of livelihood and the creation of job opportunities inside and outside fisheries. Economic effect is very large. The increased catch of anchovy and sardine-like species has provided a greater impetus to the development of fish processing, as has already been mentioned. Donor agencies also realized how effectively Bagan fisheries and their interlinked fish processing empowered local economy and raised the level of people s life. 12

In a much contrast to IPB s successful approach, JICS s approach could neither respond to community-driven rehabilitation nor meet people s demand.

13 In a much contrast to IPB s successful approach, JICS s approach could neither respond to community-driven rehabilitation nor meet people s demand. The facilities donated by JICS were not utilized at all. Improvement of houses and quality of life. Newly constructed and same style houses stand in a raw in Mounasah Keudee, whose landscape and atmosphere of has remarkably changed. Few people and houses have moved to inland like neighboring communities, in which a large number of houses were constructed on a hill and fishers had to commute to beach every day for fishing. In Mounasah Keudee, all houses had been completed to be built. Many inhabitants have favored to redecorate their donated houses and built on to the standardized houses. The living conditions and quality of life in the Desa are much better than before the tsunami disaster, and far better than coastal areas in East Sumatra and Indian Ocean. Generally speaking, Banda Aceh and coastal areas facing Malacca Straits, speed of restoration has been faster than other areas. Picture 13 Donated houses stand in a raw 13

14 ４ Other Aids Donation of fishing boats It is generally thought that the provision of fishing boats equipped with engine and gears would provide income generating sources. Both foreign and domestic donor agencies, including governments and NGOs, tended to concentrate on restoration of fishing activity. Two kinds of methods were adopted to aid fishing boats and equipments. Simply, the completed-built boats were donated to those fishers who had lost boats and any means of production. Another way to help fishers generate income was to provide a series of training programs in which they were taught about techniques of ship building and structure of safe boats. Participants in such a job training course obtained allowances from donor agencies and skill which would be useful to change livelihood. Newly constructed fishing boats by villagers were donated to fishers. These were put into fishing operation, and even now these boats are the most important means of production generating income sources, although a number of boats were already put into the discard. In Desa Mounasah Keud, IBP and UNDP gave a great incentive to those fishers who had lost fishing boats and gears under this supporting scheme. Meanwhile, not only JICS but also many donor agencies granted a tremendous number of fishing boats equipped with engines. There was much difference in terms of people s participation in income generating activities between the both approaches. However, it is widely acknowledged that over-pressure to quickly restore the fisheries industry has led to an inappropriate mix of fishing vessels and poor quality (BRR 2005)1 BRR Aceh and Nias One Year After the Tsunami: The Recovery Effort and Way Forward. p

15 Picture 14 Fishing vessels for long line fishery, donated by Government of Japan; in Lockngan Picture 15 Fishing vessels donated by Government of Japan (through JICS), at Laupulu fishing port Community building and aquaculture pond Ulele area in Banda Ache was the most seriously hit by the tsunami, and enormous number of people were dead and missing. Houses, building and almost all infrastructure were completely destroyed. With financial support from Government of Japan (through JICS), a large community building was constructed as evacuation 15

16 center in any disasters, with four floors and heliport on the rooftop. Inside this big community center, solid upstairs and slopes were constructed with enough space for people s evacuation and taking shelter. A Desa is responsible for managing and maintaining this big center, in actuality it may entrust a youth group to manage this community center. Around the community center, JICS and other donor agencies digged out aquaculture ponds with a 10 ha of width. In March 2009, construction of these ponds had been just completed, not having yet put fish and shrimp into points. Picture 16 Sign board of community building Picture 17 Community building with fourth floors Picture 18 Orderly plotted culture ponds 16

17 Conclusion and suggestion According to BRR s final reports on rehabilitation and reconstruction of tsunami affected coastal communities, through the roles as local motivators individuals have built strong social capital with other community members, leading to an increased sense of community and commitment to each other (BRR 2009). In fact, IPB and UNDP approach adopted in Krueng Raya Bay area can be regarded as a typical community-driven and people-demand support in collaboration with several motivators. It was apparent, however, that JICS s support to this area was not planned based on community-identified needs and priority. For a future emergency and disaster support scheme, we suggest that plan and implementation should be carefully evaluated with picking up lessons learned. We expect that our aids and donation would be further conducive to the build back better of tsunami-affected people and their communities. References [1] BRR Aceh and Nias One Year After the Tsunami: The Recovery Effort and Way Forwrd [2] BRR BRR BOOK series No.6a Case Study, pp.121, Jakarta, Indonesia. [3] FAO Rehabilitation of the Fishing Communities and the Fisheries and Aquaculture Sectors Affected by the Tsunami in the Indian Ocean. (ftp://ftp.fao.org/docrep/fao/meeting/009/j4597e.pdf) [4] Ministry of Foreign Affair Outcome of Japanese Grant Aid Being donated to areas affected by Sumatra Earthquake and Indian Ocean Grant Tsunami (in Japanese, announced on December 21, 2006) 17

Impacts of the Tsunami on Fisheries, Aquaculture and Coastal Livelihoods in Indonesia 1

Impacts of the Tsunami on Fisheries, Aquaculture and Coastal Livelihoods in Indonesia 1 (As of 21st March 2005) Affected areas Over 110,000 people lost their lives in Indonesia, and an estimated 700,000