Acehnese told to lead reconstruction<\/p>\n
Agencies, Lampu'uk, Aceh<\/p>\n
The Acehnese people, along with other Indonesians, should lead
\nthe reconstruction of tsunami-battered Aceh province with only
\nassistance from the international community, a US envoy said here
\non Sunday.<\/p>\n
\"The reconstruction of Aceh can only be done by the people of
\nAceh and Indonesia. It is their country,\" head of the U.S.
\nPresidential Delegation to Indonesia for Tsunami Commemoration
\nAndrew Natsios told journalists after meeting local villagers in
\nthis devastated coastal village.<\/p>\n
Natsios, who is also administrator of the U.S. Agency for
\nInternational Development (USAID), said the international
\ncommunity, including the United States, could only \"help and
\nsupport the reconstruction.\"<\/p>\n
He said communities should be mobilized to conduct
\nreconstruction with the help of outside groups and donors.<\/p>\n
While meeting villagers, Natsios asked one local elder,
\nMuhamad Dahlan, the most important thing he needed for his
\ncommunity.<\/p>\n
\"What is most important is that this mosque is renovated. This
\nis a historic mosque and the only structure to survive. One of
\nthe reasons for us to return here is that the mosque is still
\nstanding,\" Dahlan said.<\/p>\n
Lampu'uk, some 12 kilometers southwest of Banda Aceh, was
\nleveled by the tsunami triggered by the massive earthquake that
\nstruck on Dec. 26. The squat mosque was the only structure left
\nstanding.<\/p>\n
Dahlan said tractors were also desperately needed to enable
\nfarming communities to work their land again.<\/p>\n
Natsios said he was visiting the communities to \"help them to
\nget their work done, to support them and to provide capacity
\nbuilding\".<\/p>\n
Although many have criticized the reconstruction process in
\nAceh as too slow, it was better to rebuild carefully and in full
\nconsultation with local people, he said.<\/p>\n
\"If you do it correctly, it takes longer because you have to
\nconsult the community, you have to do the planning correctly, you
\nhave to think and make sure that there is no corruption in the
\nprojects,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Natsios arrived in Aceh on Saturday for a two-day visit to
\nlead a U.S. presidential delegation to commemorate the Indian
\nOcean tsunami.<\/p>\n
On Sunday morning, Natsios toured Lampu'uk, dedicating a new
\nUSAID-funded water facility and laying a wreath at mass grave for
\ntsunami victims in nearby Lhoknga.<\/p>\n
He later witnessed the signing of a memorandum of
\nunderstanding with state-run Syiah Kuala University in Banda Aceh
\nfor the U.S. to provide US$14 million to help improve the quality
\nof education and teacher-training in Aceh.<\/p>\n
\"The American people continue to be fully committed to helping
\nthe citizens of Indonesia and other affected nations to rebuild,\"
\nhe said, while praising the Acehnese people for their \"commitment
\nto persevere through difficult times.\"<\/p>\n
Natsios then opened a special \"One Year After\" exhibition of
\nphotos and videos illustrating Tsunami relief efforts in Banda
\nAceh, along with Acting Aceh Governor Azwar Abubakar.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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