December 2018: Unexpected Christmas Deployment to the Sunda Strait Tsunami Response

Christmas 2018 was meant to be spent in Bangkok, and my recent trip to the Philippines was supposed to be the final deployment of the year. But working in the humanitarian sector, I should have known better—plans are never set in stone.

On the evening of 22nd December 2018, the peaceful holiday atmosphere was shattered when a series of eruptions from Anak Krakatau Volcano, located in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra, triggered two large tsunami waves that struck the surrounding coastal areas. The destruction was catastrophic. Villages were wiped off the map, and the human toll was devastating—over 400 people lost their lives, thousands were injured, and more than 25,000 were left homeless.

Within hours, I found myself packing for an emergency deployment to Indonesia, travelling to the most affected areas to assess the situation and help design a rapid humanitarian response. Our mission took us to several hard-hit locations, including Bulakan, Sukarame, Karangbolong, and Banyuaish, all devastated by the tsunami and in urgent need of assistance.

The assessment proved to be extremely challenging. The impacted areas were difficult to access due to torrential rains, flooding, and the challenging topography of the region. Roads were washed away, debris was scattered everywhere, and in some places, we had to navigate through flooded areas on foot or by boat to reach the survivors. Despite these obstacles, we pressed on, determined to understand the most urgent needs and deliver effective support.

As we arrived in the affected villages, the sheer scale of destruction was overwhelming. Houses had been flattened, boats washed far inland, and personal belongings scattered across the ruins. Survivors were left without shelter, food, and access to clean water—many had lost everything. The response efforts, coordinated by the Indonesian government, the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI), the UN, and various NGOs, focused on providing emergency shelter, clean water, medical aid, and psychosocial support to those affected.

Even though the deployment happened over Christmas on the 25th and 26th of December, it was a meaningful and humbling experience. It was far from a traditional holiday, but being there with people who had lost so much felt special in its own way. Witnessing their resilience and hope, despite the profound loss, was truly inspiring.

This mission reminded me of the unpredictability of life in humanitarian work and the importance of being present when people need help the most. Though it wasn’t the Christmas I had planned, it was one that I will always cherish and remember.

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