NIAS - EASTER ISLAND SYNDROME

We ran an anchor watch last night to protect our beach skiffs. One local boat showed up at midnight but anchored nearby and made no trouble.

We know the UN and many NGOs are dealing with far more dangerous situations every day in other parts of the world. We dont feel that any of the anger we see is turning on us. The tactics the gangs use is to create a crowd, press in on the aid and then incite the onlookers to act badly.

The locals dont understand birth control or maybe they are encouraged against it by their churches. Will try to find out more about this. Families have 5,6 7 kids. The forest is gone and the consequences are inevitable.

Easter Island syndrome. Nias could not support its population before the quakes and now their options are running out. Sago is the staple and traditional diet. It could be the answer if cultivated rather than harvested wild. Bamboo could be grown for building rather than the trend over the past 20 years to use concrete. Fishing could bring the area income. The Nias are great seapeople.

There are sustainable options to get the population of the drip but right now we need to feed a lot of people and the answer is the army. TNI secured the coast of Aceh. They could make this easy for the NGOs and I'm sure someone will be working on this... well I hope someone is working on this. Will call a few people I know and see what can be done.

A few army uniforms would fix this. We dont need guns. We are mobilizing our diversion now and will update tonight.