Contact: Peter Biro, International Rescue Committee, +43 664 279 3977 Vienna; +1 646 201 3697 U.S. cell, Peter.Biro@theIRC.org

MEDIA ADVISORY, April 16 /Standard Newswire/ -- In the past month, the IRC has helped five tsunami-devastated fishing communities in Aceh, Indonesia build large fishing platforms. The income from these traditional vessels, called palong, is expected to indirectly benefit several hundred people in areas that were completely destroyed in 2004.

The IRC field office in Banda Aceh, Aceh's capital, organized the construction of the platforms and contributed all materials and equipment. Darmi Yunus, a team leader for the IRC's community-driven regeneration program in Aceh, says the platforms will radically improve the lives of people who have had little opportunity to earn a living since the tsunami. "Fifty percent of the income from the fish goes to the crew on the platform," Yunus explains. "The rest is put in a village fund, intended for various community projects and unforeseen expenses."

The palong is pulled out to sea by a smaller boat each evening and the crew use strong lamps to attract fish into large nets. As dawn breaks, the catch is brought to shore in small boats and handed over to the fishmongers. "We catch about 30 big baskets of fish and shrimp every night," says Muslim, who is the chief on one of the platforms anchored off Layeun, a small fishing village. "On average we make about eight million rupiah ($900) each week." Like many fishermen along the ravaged coast, Muslim, who uses only one name, lost his boat and livelihood in the disaster. "Life is much better now," he says. "And there's a lot of fish in the sea."