In 2004, a tsunami engulfed Aceh Province in Indonesia and devastated 20,000 hectares of small fish ponds. Fish farmers faced technical, economic, and social difficulties in rebuilding their aquaculture livelihoods.

The Asian Development Bank approved the Earthquake and Tsunami Emergency Support Project in 2005, engaging fish farmers in the redesign, rebuilding, and restoration of their aquaculture production in 3,000 hectares of ponds and 51 hatcheries. Fish farmers built and operated 4 Aquaculture Livelihood Service Centers (ALSC) and the Aceh Aquaculture Communication Center was set up.

Around 80 million Indonesian rupiahs in loans have since been made available to fund agro-inputs to around 1,000 farmers assisted by the four ALSCs. In the first 2 months after opening the services, more than 200 technical inquiries were answered, more than 100 calls on laboratory services were made, some 200 farmer meetings were held, and 64 people received computer training.

The project helped Aceh rebound from the devastation. With improved aquaculture support services, fish farmers began producing high-value shrimps for export. The project team also learned that after a disaster, it is not sufficient to merely replace lost or damaged physical assets. Lost knowledge, organization, and capacity also need to be restored and improved.