The shelves in Noor Haniza Talib's modest sundry shop in a Kuala Muda village are unusually bare, save for a few bottles of shampoo, glue and cigarettes.

It has been that way since the tsunami last December, which flooded her house and the shop. The water stains on the walls and gaping drawer slots are mute testimony to the horror of the day.

"I did not have time to salvage items from the shop. My first thought was to move my family to a safer location. When I returned home after a few days, my house was a mess and everything in the shop was destroyed. The loss (from the shop) was about RM5,000," said the mother of six.

"Luckily, my family received help from many generous parties. My children's school expenses were covered by the Federal Land Development Authority and Kedah Regional Development Authority."

While Noor Haniza found a ready supply of clothes, food and personal care items, she cannot say the same for long-term financial aid.

"My husband received half of the loan allocation from the Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia a month ago. Even then, he had to go to Alor Setar to personally meet the officials. We have been surviving on donations from well-wishers.

"Representatives from the welfare department conducted damage assessments of my shop in January, but I have not heard from them since."

She has only replenished her stock of cigarettes due to a lack of funds to revive her business. As her fisherman husband has not returned to sea, purchasing items for her shop remains out of the question for now.

Unlike the fishermen in the village, the small traders do not have a designated fund to assist them in reviving their businesses. Since women make up the bulk of small traders in Kuala Muda, they suffer the most from the absence of help.

Still waiting...

In March, small trader Siti Halimah Mahamud received a letter from the welfare department in Sungai Petani summoning her to a meeting with their officials. She still keeps a copy in a drawer in her sundry shop, attached to her house.

Since they had visited her shop earlier to inspect the extent of damage, she was hopeful that some form of aid might be forthcoming. She has been waiting since.

"My son went on my behalf to meet with the department officials. How many more meetings do we need to attend? I am too embarrassed to keep knocking on their door," she said resignedly.

When it was suggested that the assistance might materialise later, she said: "It has been almost six months. I doubt that more help will be coming. Apart from the RM2,500 each household received right after the tsunami, I have had to use my savings to resume business."

Ropiah Abdullah, a tailor, said the generosity of relatives - also survivors of the tsunami - has been vital in ensuring she gets daily meals.

The camaraderie and closeness among the village folk has been a blessing, now that she is no longer able to take orders for sewing clothes.

Her sewing machines were destroyed by the tsunami. Fortunately for her, there has been an outpouring of donations of clothes.

"I have received so many clothes that now I have to give some of them away. What I really need now is a sewing and trimming machine to help me restart my business, which I have not received. Luckily, I live alone. If not, I don't know what I'd do to support my family.

"I have been to the local office of the welfare department on three occasions to seek help. Now, I am too embarrassed to show my face there again."

She feels especially slighted given her active participation in local politics, a fact she hoped would have helped in receiving assistance.

"I have been very active in Wanita Umno for many years. I was one of the orang kuat (stalwarts) in the village. During my involvement, we won awards for being the best party branch in the district. Still, I have not received any help," she added.

Other reports:

NGOs strive for continued presence in Kuala Muda

Irregularities alleged in tsunami aid schemes

Kuala Muda fishermen find their sea legs after tsunami

ADRIANA NORDIN MANAN recently spent three days in Kuala Muda to assess the situation on the ground six months after the tsunami.