As mobile phone has almost become the only communication tool, all these updates are gathered by Cynthia Sudarto of The Humanity Forum from her SMS communication with Johny W. Utama. Some of these following information (mostly names of donors ad contacts) might be hidden for confidentiality reason.

31 Dec 2004 // 02:14:56 pm
Teman2 saya rencana berangkat ke Aceh via Medanbantu pendistribusian sewa mobil dari Medan. Ka Johnny
My friends and I planned to leave for Aceh via Medan to help in distribution, rented a car in Medan. signed Johnny.

1 Jan 2005 // 09:05:15 pm
Feri Dendang mau join saya ke Aceh lewat darat via Medan. Walau belum dapat ticket kami schedule kan berangkat tgl 5. Team kami ada 1 dokter ia sarankan bawa betadin, entrostop dll sbg paket medis per keluarga. Kalau teman2 mau Bantu bisa transfer via BCA 278 133 4589 Johny W. Utama. Rombongan inti ex Pramuka Recis & Bandung 19 disana gabung dengan volunteer LSM2 se Indonesia.
F. D. wanted to join me to Aceh via Medan by land. Although we haven’t got the tickets, we were scheduled to leave at 5 that evening. The doctor on our team advised us to bring Betadin, Entrostop, etc as a first-aid kit for each family. If any friends would like to help, you can transfer via BCA 278 133 4589 J.W.U. Pramuka Recis and Bandung 19 worked hand-in-hand with the volunteers from LSM2 of Indonesia.

1 Jan 2005 // 11:18:19 pm 
Cyn pagi ini 2 dokter dari Palangkaraya menyatakan mau volunteer. Dr Faisal & Dr Wilianto. Bisa cariin sponsor tiket? Palangkaraya – JKT – Palangkaraya kira2 1 jt dan JKT – MDN – JKT 1.5 jt jadi total 5 jt. Thanks Cyn.
C., this morning 2 doctors, Dr. F and Dr. W. from Palangkaraya said that they wanted to volunteer. Can you find sponsors for their tickets? Palangkaraya – JKT – Palangkaraya tickets for 2 which costs 1million Rupiah each and JKT – MDN – JKT is 1.5 million Rupiah each. So the total cost will be 5 million Rupiah. Thanks C.

1 Jan 2005 // 12:45:23 pm 
Dr Faisal dan Dr Wilianto dari Palangkaraya confirmed mau ikut. Mereka sangat berpengalaman manage keadaan yang chaos. Pengalaman tangani Sampit. Ticket 1 orang kira2 2.5 jt jadi perlu dana 5 jt untuk ticket mereka. Dari Medan kami bagi 2 team. 1 dokter masuk dari Tapaktuan ke Utara. Team dokter lain dari Banda Aceh ke Selatan tapi liat perkembangan setiba di Medan.
Its confirmed that Dr. F and Dr. W from Palangkaraya is joining the team. They are very experienced in handling a chaotic situation. The cost for each person is 2.5 million Rupiah, so for 2 persons we would need a donation of 5 million Rupiah for their tickets. From Medan we will split into 2 teams.1 doctor will go by Tapaktuan heading northwards. The other doctor will go by Banda Aceh southwards but we’ll see the situation once we’re in Medan.

1 Jan 2005 // 12:51:01 pm
OK Cyn. Saya sedang menuju Halim cek space untuk kirim air
Ok C. I’m heading towards Halim Airport to check if there’s space to bring in more water.

1 Jan 2005 // 01:23:06 pm
Cyn, LANUD Halim penuh barang. Masih ada 170 ton barang belum terangkut. Sori sumbangan air belum bisa diterima walau amat dibutuhkan. Saya coba ke tempat lain
C., Halim’s Airport is full of things. There are still 170 tonnes of things that hasn’t been cleared. I’m sorry that the water which was donated can’t be accepted although we desperately need them. I’ll try to look for other places.

3 Jan 2005 // 01:13:11 pm
Cyn dapat USD 5,000 dari DFID England. Wah nama Ka Johnny mulai laku nih hehe
C., we got US$5,000 from England’s DFID. Wow! Johhny’s name is getting popular… hehe

3 Jan 2005 // 01:34:12 pm 
Dear allt eam 9 ydt 4 Banda Aceh & support team. Sudah dapat ticket GA tgl 5, 6 orang berangkat jam10.40 dan 3 orang berangkat 11.40 kita gabung lagi di Polonia
Dear all team at Banda Aceh and support team. We’ve got GA tickets on the 5th, 6 people will leave at 10.40 and 3 people at 11.40. Till we meet again at Polonia.

3 Jan 2005 // 11:18:05 pm 
Cyn, hp low bat. Sylvina batal sebab baru pulang dari Bandung tgl 4 malam. Tidak siap berangkat 5 pagi. Lagi caripengganti. Tadi sore check BCA, dana masuk udah 5.2 jt. Yg dolar & Yen belum masuk.
C, my handphone’s battery is running low. S. is not going as she just got back from Bandung on the night of the 4th. Can’t make it to leave at 5am. Looking for replacement. This morning I checked with BCA and the donation has already reached 5.2 million Rupiah. The dollars and yen are not in yet.

3 Jan 2005 // 11:21:29 pm 
Budget ticket berangkat 8.2 jt. Sewa truk 2X6.5 jt. Beli air minum 16 jt. Oven rotui & mixer 5 jt. Gaji tukang roti 1.2 jt untuk 1 bulan di Aceh. Ticket pulang 10 jt. Kira2 begitu.
The budget for the tickets are 8.2 milllion Rupiah. Rental of 2 trucks are 6.5 million Rupiah each. Drinking water 16 million Rupiah. Baking oven and mixer for making bread is 5 million Rupiah. The salary of a bakery for 1 monthin Aceh is 1.2 million Rupiah. The ticket to get back is 10 million Rupiah. Yeah, roughly that’s an estimation of the cost.

4 Jan 2005 // 06:49:57 am 
Posko PASe PEDULI, Jl Taman Karya No 1 Geuceu Kaye Jatho – Simpang 3. Banda Aceh. Phone: 0651 46233. HP 0816 304 753. Ini alamat kontak kami di Banda Aceh pimpinan disana Khairul Posko Pase Peduli, Jl Taman Karya No 1 Geuceu Kaye Jatho – Simpang 3. Tel. 0651 46233. Mobile 0816 304 753. This is my contact address in Banda Aceh. The person-in-charge is Khairul.

4 Jan 2005 // 11:54:50 am 
“At” udah pinjamkan Rp 30 jt. Rmh jl Taman Alfa Indah K2 – 23. Incase susah kontak HP saya, boleh kontak asik saya Rudy Utama 0812 560 1364
“At” has lent me 30 milliom Rupiah. Jl Taman Alfa Indah K2 – 23. In case its difficult to contact me on my mobile, you can contact my brother, R. U. at 0812 560 1364.

4 Jan 2005 // 03:07:21 pm
HP ku ngadat hari ini. Dr Japan est terkumpul 500 rb YEN, kira2 Rp 40 jt.
My handphone’s giving problems today. Dr J. estimated that 500 thousand Yen has been collected, which probably amounts to 40 million Rupiah.

4 Jan 2005 // 04:42:28 pm 
Kata orang di ACEH tinggal menara mentari yang masih tegak. Saya bawa simcard mentari 0815 627 3032 judiaceh
People said the only thing that’s left standing in Aceh is the Mentari Towert. I brought a Mentari simcard 0815 627 3032. JU@Aceh

4 Jan 2005 // 05:24:31 pm 
Kalo “Ad” belum dapat ga apa. Besok kami beli sendiri. Thx.
If “Ad” haven’t receive anything then it’s ok. We’ll get it ourselves tomorrow. Thanks.

5 Jan 2005 // 07:33:46 am 
Kami belum daftar . Rombongan kita team 9: ydt – ntfp. Host di Banda: Yay. PASE Pagar Alam Lestari. We have not registered our team 9: ydt–ntfp. Putting up at Banda. Yay. Pagar Alam Lestari.

5 Jan 2005 // 11:43:57 pm
Cyn pesawat kami GA 186 delay ke jam 18.45 eta Medan 20.55 saya rest dulu di rumah. Jam 15.30 baru ke airport. Rombongan 1 juga kena delay ke 15.45.
C., our plane is delayed to 18.45 reaching Medan at 20.55. In the meantime, I will rest at home. Will leave for the airport at 15.30. The first team was also delayed to 15.45.

5 Jan 2005 // 11:59:25 pm 
“Ad” udah beres. Dia dapat yang minyak tanah 4 set @ 600 rb. Reri hari ini belum saling kontak. Janjinya kalo udah di Medan. Sewa truk udah dapat. Aqua udah pesen. Motor udah panjar. Ticket pulang Banda Aceh – Medan – JKT udah dapat juga. Tgl 13 5 orang, tgl 14 sisannya.
A. is settled now. He managed to get 4 sets of cooking oil at 600 thousand Rupiah. Today R. has not contacted us. Said that he will contact if he’s in Medan. Already rented a truck. Water has been ordered. The downpayment for the motorbike has been paid. We’ve also received the ticket home to Jakarta from Banda Aceh via Medan. On the 13th, 5 people will leave first, the rest will leave on the 14th.

5 Jan 2005 // 12:42:49 pm 
Ok, Saya akan minta ANTO email Cyn. Besok dia ke BCA untuk print out dulu. Telp kantor 585 1929
Ok, I will get Anto to email C. Tomorrow he will go to BCA to print out first. Office telephone is 585 1929.

5 Jan 2005 // 08:55:42 pm 
We just arrived in MEDAN. I am arranging HERCULES four team 9 to Banda 6 afternoon or 7 am.
We just arrived in Medan. I am arranging Hercules for Team 9 to Banda at 6 afternoon or 7 in the morning.

5 Jan 2005 // 09:05:31 pm 
Katanya Hercules gratis untuk volunteer jadi coba. Barang akan dikawal LSM Medan.
They said that Hercules is free for volunteer. The things will be guarded byLSM Medan.

6 Jan 2005
Cyn, minta telp Ibu “R” lagi “Mt” TV Medan
Cyn, can i have the number of Miss “R”‘ from the “Mt” TV Network again?

6 Jan 2005 // 10:13:41 am
ok uda ketemu
OK. Got it.

6 Jan 2005 // 12:04:25 pm 
Pak HRWK tt ke Panin $ 11,425.13. Ia Tanya masih perlu cari donatur lagi ga? Saya sudh jawab masihperlu, tapi dia juga perlu laporan ato berita terbarunya. Cyn tolong catat dana dari Jepang. Disini kami kehabisan tunai.
Mr. HRWK transfered $11,425.13 to Panin bank. He asked me if i still need more donators. I said yes, we do. But he wants a report and the latest update. Cyn, please write down the fund from Japan. We’ve ran out of cash here.

6 Jan 2005 // 12:17:33 pm
“HRWK San” Mitra NGO kami di JPN. Tidak pasti dengan Hercules, mungkin naik bis aja lebih pasti. Cyn, kami belum dapat jawaban Bu “R” untuk dapat barang nih. Udah telp dia 2X suru tunggu
“HRWK San” our associated NGO in Japan. We are too sure about catching the hercules plane, may be we’ll hop on the bus that is more definite. Cyn, we haven’t received any answers from Miss “R” about receiving the goods. I’ve tried to call her twice but i was asked to wait.

6 Jan 2005 // 12:24:29 pm
Cyn, Bu “R” sudah kasih ijin ambil barang
Cyn, Miss “R” has given the permission to take the goods.

6 Jan 2005 // 12:17:33 pm 
To, tolong fwd email HRWK, BJ, Crissy yang menyangkut donatur untuk Aceh kpd Cynthia Sudarto. Nanti biar Cyn yang bikin report update. Thanks
To, please forward my email to HRWK, BJ, Crissy that is related to donators for Aceh to Cynthia Sudarto.So then Cyn can make the report and the updates. Thanks.

6 Jan 2005 // 03:43:25 pm 
Kami sudah sewa 2 truk. Ruday & Irawan beli tanki air and pralon untuk instalasi kilat. Juga mau bangun tank ferro cement 1 unit sambil hire orang local bekerja dan belajar. Hirowaka Bantu fund raising. Kami berangkat malam ini naek bus karena Hercules tidak pasti.
We have rented 2 trucks.

6 Jan 2005 // 08:41:18 pm 
Kayaknya di buku memang tidak di cetak nama. Saya ada catat kalau mereka sms. Jam 20.30 kami berangkat
I think they dont print the names on the boook. I’ve jolted down if they SMSed me. We’re leaving at 8.30 PM.

6 Jan 2005 // 09:06:47 pm 
Transfer mulai tgl 1 kari 500, “Lnd” 500, tgl 2 “ep” 500, “Ad” 1500 dst

7 Jan 2005 // 07:30:57 am
Kami baru tiba di BD AC dengan selamat
We have arrived in Banda Aceh safely.

7 Jan 2005 // 07:30:57 am
Cyn, udah tiba di B A. lalat, Lumpur & bau jenasah kadang terbawa angina. Koffi Anan datang hari ini. Jalan banyak di blok. Tidak ada tempat belanja, kalo ada 3 -4 kali lipat tapi kami cukup makanan sampai pulang.
Cyn, I’ve arrived in Banda Aceh. Flies, mud and the smell of carcasses is oftenly carried by the wind.Kofi Annan will come in today. Many roads are blocked. No shopping places are avaialable. If there were, they will charge 3-4 times of the norm. But we have enough food until the end of the trip.

7 Jan 2005 // 10:23:27 am 
Cyn tolong isi pulsa ya. Thanks.
Cyn, please top-up my mobile’s credit. Thanks

7 Jan 2005 // 10:32:23 am 
Iya Cyn kami swa mobil survey tempat bangun tanki air hujan, penempatan team dokter dan dapur tukang roti. Saya dan Dendang akan sibuk beli talang dll.
Yes Cyn, we rented a car to survey the best location for the rain-water tank, the placement for the doctor team and the baking kitchen. Dendang and I are busy buying pipes and stuff.

7 Jan 2005 // 11:36:44 am 
Dipenempatan COT GU yang tampung 600 pax kami liat seorang gadis cuci kemeja laki. Dia menangis. Tau dilihat dia balik badan. B Francis mulai interview ini. Mawar Diana 20 th, desa LAM KEUMBOK 700 P hanya 76 survive. Kebanyakan anak2 mati, orang tua dan gadis2. Ayah Mawar Diana ikut mati terdorong ombak 3 X pohon kelapa.
At he COT GU we 600 pax refuge, we saw a girl washing a man shirt. She was crying. She looked away after she saw us. B Francis started to interview this. Mawar Diana 20 y.o. from the village called LAM KEUMBOK, population: 700, survivors: 70. A lot Children, elderly people and girls have died. Mawar’s dad was killed by a wave the size of 3 coconut tree.

7 Jan 2005 // 11:00:48 pm 
Pulsa baru isi sekarang. Tadi batere sempet empty jadi charge di bagian kota yang ada listrik siang. Karena HP tidak bisa bawa, truk 2 ‘hilang’ sampai jam 22.00 baru ketemu lagi. Thanks Cyn isian pulsa.
Keadaan engga seperti kita inginkan. Team 9 hampir semua low bat krn engga ada listrik siang di posko. Semua shat. Besok pindah tapi nginap ke daerah bukit tidak kena banjir tapi tidak ada listrik malam.
The mobile phoned just got tpped-up. The battery went flat ealier today then it got recharged at the other side of the town where there is electricity. Due to lack of communication (no mobile phones), Truck no2 went missing until we finally found it again around 10 PM, Thanks for topping up cyn.
Things don’t turn up as we want. Due to lack of electricity in the command post during day time, most of TEAM 9 members’ phones ran out of battery. They all shut. Tomorrow, we’ll be shifting to the valley where didn’t get flooded. But then there’s no electricity at night.

8 Jan 2005 // 10:52:56 am 
Bus yang sempat hilang udah di bongkar. Team dokter siap keluar dengan motor dan obat. Team TFC juga udah dapat bahan. Tinggal menuju lokasi. Saya Bantu team roti dulu. Tempat kami sewa kayak taman suropati aman tidak rusak tapi bagian yang tidak ada listrik. Jauh dari puing & bau. Dana masih cukup karena di drop dari “T” Bandung.
The missing bus has been unloaded. The doctor team is ready with their motorbikes and medication. TFC team is also ready with their stuff. All we need is to is leave for the destination. I’m gonna help the baking team first. The place that I’m renting is like Taman Suropati but there’s no electricity there. Away from the smell and debris. Fund is still available as mr. “T” of Bandung just sent it.

8 Jan 2005 // 10:58:22 am 
Pulsa dari Cyn 110 rb sudah bisa dipake thx. Hr ini kami benar2 mulai kerja krn perlengkapan udah dibongkar.
The phone credit worth 100k rupiah can be used now. Thanks. Today, we really need to start working as all the tools have been unloaded.

8 Jan 2005 // 11:40:43 am 
Iya BCA USD 287 700 7061 dan BCA Rp/ Staff saya juga ga bisa akses krn bukunya di rumah saya
Yes. BCA USD 287 700 7061 and BCA IDR. My staff could get their access too as the books are at my home.

9 Jan 2005 // 06:37:58 am
That smell again… No fabric, no masker can prevent it hit your soul. Those stinky sour smell passing by while you eat, rest or sleep you will notice those smell of human corps. You will never forget those smell of Aceh. J.U.

9 Jan 2005 // 07:05:58 am 
… Nanda, Inang dating… Ibu tua turun dari mobil dibimbing anaknya… tangan terlentang _ berlari menyusul 4 anak lain menghampiri rumah bertingkat yang depannya penuh puing dan pohon. Mereka membawa kantong jenasah, semua pakai masker, sarung tangan, mereka mau mengambil jenasah saudara perempuan mereka sendiri… jenasah 13 hari… tanpa ada anggota badan yang tertinggal, mereka membakar menyan menyiapkan doa sebelum masuk. Bahasa tubuhnya, mimik sang Ibu oenuh duka…
…Nanda, Inang dating… An old mother tepped out of the car and guided by her child. With arms opened, he/she ran to follow another 4 kids to approach a multi-storey house. It’s full of debris and trees. They all wore masks and gloves and carried a body bag for their dead sister. A 13 day old dead body. No body parts were left. Then they burned menyan (insence) and send their prayer before they put it into the bag. The expression and the body language of the mother is full of sorrow.

9 Jan 2005 // 07:15:51 am 
… Suaranya yang bergetar, “Nanda, Inang dating…” di inggir jalan diketinggian, kuambil foto mereka beriringan dan kami pergi memberi mereka keheningan melakukan upacara penjemputan jenasah ini. Didalam mobil, air mataku terus mengalir membasahi maskerku. J.U.
Her voice is trembling. “Nanda, Inang dating…” from the higher ground besides the road, i took their pictures while they are marching. Then we went to help them. Everyone were mourning while the fetch the the dead body. In the car, I couldn’t stop my tear from flowing out which make my mask soaked. J.U.

9 Jan 2005 // 07:30:18 am 
Team 9 bagi tugas. 2 Dokter keliling dengan motor menjemput bola… mengunjungi pasien. Irawan dan Rudy set up tanki ferro cement 9 m. 3 di sekolah yang jadi camp tempat pengungsi. 2 orang bikin roti, 1 orang dipiket masak untuk team. Saya & Feri networking dengan MetroTV distribute sembako canvassing ke titik2 pengungsi yang belum terjamah.
Kami dipercayakan 2 – 3 truk per hari mulai hari ini.
Djod, tolong email “T.Wht” trf 15 jt nya sangat membantu. J.U.

9 Jan 2005 // 10:12:54 am 
ATM BCA mulai Senin baru buka. Cadangan tunai cukup. Dana luar sampai Jumat belum masuk. Pulsa ada tapi listrik yang sulit. Ada yang nyala siang dan ada yang malam. Team 9… *some text missing*

9 Jan 2005 // 07:46:15 pm
Cyn, pulsa Ka JU habis lagi. Tolong isikan yang Rp 200 rb yah. Thanks dari Banda Aceh.
Cyn, JU’s phone credit has ran out. Please top it up with the 200k one. Thanks from Banda Aceh.

10 Jan 2005 // 02:36:42 pm 
Cyn kartu Mentarinya JU kayaknya error. Katanya dia hanya bisa terima sms, td dia pake no org unt SMS aku. Dia minta aku inform Cyn kalo mereka hari ini bagi roti di pantai timur

 

11 Jan 2005 // 04:37:03 pm
Tiap hari kami berdoa. Sering selesai tugas menuju rumah, banyak kantong2 mayat diletakan di trotoar. Dan banyak cerita kami dengar tiap hari dari pengungsi. Kadang2 di mobil, air mata mengalir sendiri membasahi masker. Hidup mereka berubah dalam 20 menit. J.U.

11 Jan 2005 // 11:55:45 pm
Tim medis laris. Dengan punya motor sendiri, tim dokter kita cukup mobile. Tim roti sukses besar, tiap hari buat 1,000 roti, besoknya dibagi-bagi ke pengungsi. Tim distribusi tiap hari bantu distribusi 2 truk MetroTV ke pengungsi. Tim Tangki sekarang sedang lembur. Rudy, Irawan & JU dengan orang lokal 9 orang, tekad besok harus selesai. J.U.

12 Jan 2005 // 12:08:13 am 
Tadi sore pulang dari pantai timur kami lewat bagian kota yang di bersihkan, rumah2 hancur. Mayat2 dibawah beton dikeluarkan. Ada 2 kantong merah, satu besar & satu kecil. Kata SAR, ibu-anak mati pelukan. Banyak cerita sedih kami dengar di pengungsian. Di bak truk terbuka dari terik dan lalat, kami diam tanpa gurau. Masing2 menyimpan duka dilubuk hati masing2
Last evening we went by east coast passing all the cleared areas. All the houses are destroyed. Dead bodies below the concrete were taken out. There were two red bags, big one and small one. SAR team said that those were the the bodies of hugging mother and daughter. There are a lot of sad stories in the refugee camp. At the back of a truck, we couldn’t joke around and could only stay in silent. Keeping all the sorrow in bottom of our hearts.

12 Jan 2005 // 12:15:06 am 
Saya memotret ibu dan anak di pengungsian NEUHEUN anak perempuan 3-4 tahun. Cantik. Besar matanya. Tapi apatis dan takut lepas dari ibunya. “Semua selamat Bu?” tanyaku… Saudara kembarnya hilang, lepas dari tangan ibunya. Ia membuang muka, menyeka air mata.