Conditions in Aceh 'slightly improving'<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Two weeks after a quake-triggered tidal wave washed away many
\nparts of Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam, the government claimed on
\nSunday a steady improvement in the condition of survivors and
\ncities affected by the tsunamis.<\/p>\n
In the first coordination meeting between government agencies
\ninvolved in relief efforts in tsunami-hit regions, chaired by
\nPresident Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Coordinating Minister for
\nPeople's Welfare Alwi Shihab said that a substantial number of
\nbodies had been retrieved and properly buried, while distribution
\nof food, medicines and other basic needs had reached most parts
\nof tsunami-hit regions.<\/p>\n
Alwi said that some 48,000 bodies had been buried while
\nanother 20,000 people who are presumed dead have not yet been
\nrecovered from underneath piled up debris. He said that about
\n48,000 people were still missing since the Dec. 26 tsunami
\ndisaster.<\/p>\n
\"Our estimate is close to that of the United Nations, which
\nputs the death toll at between 79,000 and 120,000,\" Alwi told a
\nvideo conference. Also attending the meeting were Vice President
\nJusuf Kalla and Minister of Health Fadillah Supari.<\/p>\n
Alwi said that although aid had been distributed to most parts
\nof the affected areas, logjams still prevailed especially at
\nHalim Perdana Kusumah Airport in Jakarta, Polonia Airport in
\nMedan and Hang Nadim Airport in Batam.<\/p>\n
\"There was an aircraft carrying aid from Belgium bound for
\nMedan, but it had to go back to the country as the airport in
\nMedan was crowded with commercial and military aircraft carrying
\naid,\" said Alwi.<\/p>\n
Responding to the situation, Susilo said that he had secured
\npermission from Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to
\nuse Malaysian airports as transitory bases for foreign aircraft
\ncarrying aid.<\/p>\n
Alwi said that to provide survivors with temporary housing,
\nthe government had started the construction of shelters that
\ncould accommodate between 8,000 and 20,000 people, and were
\nprovided with better security measures and sanitation as well as
\nbetter accessibility to aid workers.<\/p>\n
In worst-hit Banda Aceh, life is more vibrant than days before
\nwith business activities in Lambaro Market, one of the city's
\neconomic hub, almost returning to normal.<\/p>\n
A variety of goods, which had earlier been offered at highly
\ninflated prices, are now available at relatively lower prices.
\nBeef, for example, which was previously sold at Rp 60,000 per
\nkilogram is now offered at Rp 55,000, its price before the
\ntsunami hit the area.<\/p>\n
In some parts of Banda Aceh, a number of inter-city buses
\noffered their services although for astronomically inflated
\nfares.<\/p>\n
\"The fare is considerably higher because we have to traverse
\nroutes less traveled before the tsunamis, and the trip becomes
\nmore difficult. We also have to purchase fuel at much higher
\nprices,\" a driver was quoted by Antara as saying.<\/p>\n
Earlier on Saturday, Defense Minister Juwono Sudarsono said
\nthat prior to the establishment of the United Nations-sponsored
\ncommand center for international humanitarian efforts, Australian
\nand Singaporean troops in Aceh would be at the helm of the relief
\nefforts.<\/p>\n
Emerging from a meeting with his Australian counterpart Robert
\nHill on Saturday, Juwono said that troops from these countries
\nwould play a leading role, as they were the first foreign forces
\nthat arrived in the tsunami-hit province.<\/p>\n
Juwono could not foresee how long military assistance from
\nneighboring countries would prevail, but \"it will be a long-term
\ncooperation\".<\/p>\n
However, Juwono said that the Indonesian Military (TNI) would
\nstill play a supervisory role on all foreign relief efforts in
\nAceh. \"Such a role is required as the TNI is obliged to maintain
\nsecurity in Aceh,\" he said.<\/p>",
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