Designing a strategy for post-tsunami reconstruction<\/p>\n
Yayan GH Mulyana, Bogor, West Java<\/p>\n
In the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami in Aceh and
\nNorth Sumatra, the Indonesian government has outlined a three-
\nstage strategy. This strategy includes emergency relief,
\nrehabilitation and reconstruction. The emergency relief operation
\nis currently underway. Soon after the emergency stage is phased
\nout, rehabilitation efforts will start. The completion of the
\nrehabilitation stage will be followed by reconstruction programs.<\/p>\n
With a massive loss of lives and material damage,
\nreconstruction efforts will not only take time but also require
\nenormous amounts of resources. Domestic and international aid and
\nassistance will be essential. More importantly, the
\nreconstruction strategy should go beyond physical measures. It
\nshould address the comprehensive needs of survivors.<\/p>\n
The reconstruction strategy for Aceh and North Sumatra,
\ntherefore, should consist of at least four pillars: civil
\nadministration and public services, economic development,
\nsociocultural development, and political development.<\/p>\n
The civil administration and public services pillar would
\nconsist of reforming local governments -- both provincial and
\ndistrict -- so they could provide public services. Urgent public
\nservices include health services, including grief counseling,
\nclean water supply, electricity, public transportation,
\ninformation and telecommunications.<\/p>\n
This pillar will require the rebuilding of government offices
\nand finding the personnel to fill posts and assume
\nresponsibilities in the newly established local governments. In
\nthis regard, it is important to recruit local professionals and
\nuse the surviving public servants to fill the posts.<\/p>\n
The first pillar will provide the Indonesian government an
\nopportunity to develop a modality that nurtures good governance
\nand prevents the emergence of a culture of corruption within the
\nstructure of local governments.<\/p>\n
Under the second pillar, a variety of economic development
\nprograms are to be executed. One important program under this
\npillar is investment that generates employment. Other programs
\ninclude the development of infrastructure that facilitates
\nservice delivery and product distribution, including ports,
\nmarket development, including traditional markets, and the
\nimprovement of the agricultural, fishery and plantation sectors.<\/p>\n
The third pillar aims to preserve sociocultural foundations
\nand promote human resources development, especially through
\neducation -- both formal and non-formal. The programs would take
\naccount of the preservation of sociocultural symbols, the
\nestablishment of cultural centers, the revitalization of
\ncommunity centers and the construction of schools and mosques.<\/p>\n
Under the fourth pillar, survivors should be brought into the
\nprocesses of democratization and nation-building. When the people
\nare physically and emotionally healed, they must be helped to
\nplay a role in the national processes.<\/p>\n
Another program of great importance under this pillar is
\npeople's representation. Legislative and executive elections
\nshould be given a chance to operate. Local legislatures should be
\nreestablished. This will eventually require the repairing of
\nparty politics in Aceh. Bearing this in mind, the programs under
\nthis pillar should include promoting honest politic practices at
\nthe local level. This opportunity should not be missed.<\/p>\n
There are three processes that should ensue within the
\nframework of the four pillars. Those processes are
\nindigenization, gender mainstreaming and the streamlining of the
\nsubstantive provisions of Law No. 18\/2001 on special autonomy for
\nAceh.<\/p>\n
These processes should listen to and accommodate the concerns
\nand wishes of the Acehnese. While the reconstruction is a
\nnational project, and internationally supported, its substance
\nshould be locally responsive. Locals should be encouraged to
\ncontribute to and take advantage of the reconstruction efforts.<\/p>\n
Indigenization also stresses the incorporation of local values
\nand cultures in the reconstruction strategy. Acehnese values and
\nculture have long been rooted in Islam. Thus, it will be
\npertinent to prioritize Islam-related projects. It will also be
\npertinent to preserve local culture-based institutions that
\nsymbolize the perpetuation of customs and culture in Aceh. In
\nreflecting local sensitivities, it is important to consult with
\nlocal leaders on matters that may cause concern.<\/p>\n
Gender mainstreaming in the reconstruction strategy aims to
\nensure the specific needs of women and girls are appropriately
\nmet. This effort should address relevant issues in critical areas
\nof concern such as women and the economy, women and health,
\neducation and training for women, women in politics, women and
\nthe media, and women and the environment.<\/p>\n
The reconstruction policy should give Law No. 18\/2001 room to
\nevolve. The law delineates substantive elements essential to
\nrealizing special autonomy for Aceh. Those elements could be
\nstreamlined into concrete projects under the aforementioned
\npillars.<\/p>\n
Effective coordination is essential to the successful
\nimplementation of the reconstruction strategy as outlined above.
\nPresident Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono could appoint a special
\nrepresentative to preside over the work of the four pillars. He
\nor she should serve in the field, not in Jakarta, and report to
\nthe President regularly in an objective and professional manner.<\/p>\n
The writer is a Fulbright alumnus. He can be reached at
\nyanvontsazik@yahoo.com.<\/p>",
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