Date: 12/12/2006
In many of the hardest hit places such as Banda Aceh and Meulaboh the only structures sturdy enough to withstand the surging waves were Mosques. This was a source of great strength to the Achenese who are devout Muslims. To others though the tsunami was thought to be a punishment for not praying enough. It is possible however that so many Mosques survived the earthquake and tsunami as a result of simply being well built by Achenese devoted to their faith and god. 'Huge aid effort gathers speed,' CNN
Date: 11/09/2006
To many Banda Aceh will forever be synonymous with the tsunami disaster on December 26, 2004. The destruction there was undoubtedly beyond comprehension. But the village of Lampuuk was closest to the epicentre of the earthquake and tsunami. Sixty-minutes drive west of Banda, its population of 6,000 people was almost entirely wiped out. Only 1,000 people survived many of whom sought refuge in the only building left standing - the local mosque. 'Clinton and Bush visit the Tsunami hit Banda Aceh,' Aljazeera
Date: 10/12/2006
BBC's Andrew North and producer Cara Swift traveled with Red Cross to Meulaboh. They were among the first western journalists to report from the devastated west coast of Aceh Province. 'Meulaboh's heart has been ripped out,' by Andrew North, BBC