NetworkNewsToday: INDONESIA: TSUNAMI PROTECTION FOR YOUNG SURVIVORS (UNICEF)

NetworkNewsToday: 22 December 2009 - UNICEF: Indonesia - While Indonesia is recovering from both internal conflicts and the devastating tsunami, some of the young survivors receiving care at a childrens shelter supported by UNICEF on the edge of Aceh.

Twelve year old Iksan tells us the Centre helped him rebuild his life after the tsunami. The memories are still painful but theyre gradually easing.

Of all the areas affected around the Indian Ocean, Indonesia faced probably the greatest need for child protection measures, given the sheer numbers of orphaned or separated children.

SOUNDBITE (English) Angela Kearney, Country Representative of Indonesia: Many children were separated from their parents, had lost their parents, maybe had brothers and sisters killed, so one of the things first was to make sure that we brought families together, communities together.

And five years on, those services are now working for the benefit of all children here.

Looked after at the centre Vera was abandoned by her parents and taken into care.

SOUNDBITE (Indonesian) Vera:
My mother and father were fighting all the time, and I didnt want to watch that anymore.

At a local hospital, a team of specially trained police and welfare officers supported by UNICEF are on hand to tackle cases of domestic violence and child abuse.

SOUNDBITE (Indonesian) Intan Melya, Child Protection Secretariat, Social Welfare Dept:
Of course its a very serious fight for us, if we can fulfill the needs of the children.

They in turn are supported by a court system which is more child friendly.

At the local court house, undergoing major renovation, the newest court here is a juvenile one, presided over by a judge given special training by UNICEF.

SOUNDBITE (Indonesian) Rahmawati, Juvenile Judge:
Juvenile justice has existed for many years, but after the tsunami, a number of us received special training and thats made a big difference.

In rebuilding after the tsunami, this part of Indonesia now has in place, the kind of protective environment that is the right of children everywhere. ................................................................................­................................................................................­.......... ( UNICEF TELEVISION: UNICEF, THE UNITED NATIONS CHILDRENS FUND ) ................................................................................­................................................................................­................................................................................­................................................................................­................................................................................­.............................................................. NetworkNewsToday:
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