The social impact of the 26 December 2004 catastrophe cannot be fully understood without an understanding of the Acehnese background. The long-term armed conflicts that agitated the Indonesian province since 1976, the social organisation’s deconstruction and the deep impoverishment of that region are elements that influence the reactions of the population during the post-catastrophe period. This study, based on literature reviews and field interviews, intends to present how these different factors play a role on the tsunami social impact. We argue that these aspects affected emergency and post-emergency times and that they have to be considered for further rehabilitation and reconstruction plans in Aceh, to create sustainable welfare conditions in the region
