Page - April 27, 2005
We arrived back in Meulaboh for the third time.
Humanitarian and medical aid organized by Medecins Sans Frontieres is loaded onto the Rainbow Warrior.
The DWB crew arrived shortly afterwards with all their local help to assist with the unloading, and we quickly got about the process of getting a couple of local boats to unload the Rainbow Warrior. Not a huge load, mostly extra water sanitation gear, tents and large water bladders.
There were more boats vying for business so there was no trouble securing assistance, unlike our previous two visits where there was much more coming ashore from boats anchored off the town. There also seemed to be more fishing boats as well, which was probably an indication of the locals getting back in the water.
It certainly appeared that there was much less effort going into Meulaboh. We did not travel around too much but there appeared to be very little difference to the amount of rubble and general mess around the place. The roads seemed to be a little clearer.
We have not sourced any other cargoes from Banda Aceh at this, but in the meantime ACF (Action Against Hunger) has asked for logistical information on a place about 30 miles North of Meulaboh, Teunom.
Teunom has a large amount of IDPs encamped close by, but is completely cut off. Apparently they have water sanitation sorted out and medically they are sorted, but they are short on food. So we stopped there on the way back north to scout it out. The town has been destroyed. Teunom is flat and there are no major hills close by.
We are changing crew soon and will have a little time to reassess where to go from here.
--Rob