John Kerry Commemorates 2004 Tsunami in Aceh

Surabaya, E Java (Antara) -- The United States Secretary of State John Kerry commemorated the tsunami that devastated the Indonesian province of Aceh on December 26, 2004. "I saw several touching photos and videos of the disaster. From Indonesia to Somalia, some cities were destroyed. Strong waves had swept away residences, which led to the death of hundreds of thousands of people and separated many from their families," Kerry stated in an official release from the U. S. Department of State, received by Antara here on Wednesday. He added that people all over the world, including farmers, fishermen, and tourists, should observe a moment of silence for their relatives. "I do understand there are no words that can describe their loss. Nothing can erase the sadness of parents who lost their children or that of children who lost their parents and were left responsible for their lives at a young age," Kerry noted. Furthermore, the U. S. Secretary of State appreciated the millions of people who contributed towards disaster mitigation in Aceh. "We appreciate those who helped the victims in healing their spirits and in developing the community," Kerry added. For several years, some scientists reiterated the damage that can be inflicted by climate change, including storms. Kerry pointed out that disasters can be prevented if humans change their habits and policies. "During my visit to the Philippines last year, I saw the damage caused by Typhoon Haiyan. It does not make sense to allow typhoons to occur often. We should take measures to prevent climate change today, before it is too late for humans to respond to the warnings," he remarked. (*)