Development and Peace's strength resides in its network of partners located throughout the globe. The day after the tsunami, partners were already deploying themselves throughout the affected area.

"Our partner UPLINK has already built 2,500 of the 3,800 houses it set out to build and the remainder are under construction," says André Charlebois, Development and Peace Program Officer, on his return from Banda Aceh, Indonesia. Asked to account for this success, he attributes it to UPLINK's presence in the community before the tsunami and to its participatory people managed construction approach. In this area where 150,000 people died or went missing during the December 2004 tsunami, a young survivor emphasizes, "There's no sense in crying, all we want to do now is move forward".

One of the 2500 houses completed out of the 3800 to be built.

BUILDING ON SOLID FOUNDATIONS

The To Live Together network, established and supported by Development and Peace partner UPLINK, brings together 23 village committees in Banda Aceh. "The men and women of these devastated villages redesigned their communities," explains André, "They chose the model for their homes, planned their community centers, mapped out the streets and then each family closely monitored the construction of their home."

The local economy and local employment were stimulated by the brick making, metal work and other small businesses that were set up. The income generated stayed in the communities and helped further the rebuilding.

Small business of brick making supported by Development and Peace's partner, KPI.		Small salt making project supported by Development and Peace's partner, KPI.

This program is being supported by Development and Peace and the Canadian International Development Agency, along with a number of other organizations.

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