Study of the Tsunami Aftermath and Recovery (STAR) is a longitudinal survey of some 40,000 individuals across 10,000 households in the tsunami-affected areas of Aceh and in nearby inland Aceh and the province of North Sumatra. These individuals were living in households from which data were collected in February 2004, as a part of the cross-sectional SUSENAS.

In the baseline survey, informants reported on socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of themselves and other household members. The first follow up interview was conducted in 2005-06.  Individual and household data were collected, drawing on and augmenting the STAR0 questionnaire. A large community-level survey was also conducted by interviewing village leaders and through visits to local schools and health facilities.

The study has three main goals. First, STAR provides uniquely rich longitudinal data for individuals and households exposed to disaster, a valuable resource for measuring consequences of the disaster for mortality, family disruption/relocation, and mental health. Second, STAR is intended to assess the extent of reconstruction in the aftermath of the disaster, paying particular attention to the roles of aid, kinship, and social networks. Third, STAR will identify characteristics of individuals, households, communities and facilities that were more resilient to the disaster.

Tracking respondents is a challenge to any longitudinal survey, but particularly challenging in the wake of disaster. Nearly all respondents have been tracked in follow-up surveys, including many who were displaced after the disaster. While the majority of movers remained in Aceh and North Sumatra; SurveyMETER tracked movers across Sumatra and Java. An overall re-contact rate of over 90% has been maintained throughout. The most recent follow-up was completed in 2010, with the next anticipated in 2011.(SM)