Aceh reconstruction still slow one year on

A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh

"I'm tired. I have been writing a lot about reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts in Aceh but the progress here has been slow. Many people are still living in tents and barracks, despite the sheer amount of funds injected by the world," an Acehnese journalist has complained.

Her comments are a reflection of the general feeling in Aceh. Hopes had earlier been pinned on a rapid rebuilding process as the international response to the tsunami was overwhelming. But, a year after the catastrophe, the rate of progress has clearly disappointed the people most affected.

At least 67,500 people are living in tents or barracks a year after the tsunami, while hundreds of thousands of people are dependent on food aid and programs to find them work. Health care is also an issue as eight hospitals and 141 health centers were damaged in the disaster last year. On top of that, people have been struggling with high inflation stemming from the rising price of fuel and the growth of the construction industry in the aftermath of the tsunami.

Frustration and anger has been directed at the Aceh Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Body (BRR), which has been overseeing the rebuilding process in the province. The anger is understandable as the public is aware of the vast funds at the disposal of the body.

In its report released a few days ago, the body argued that the slow pace of reconstruction was primarily due to the scale of the destruction. The tsunami, triggered by a monster earthquake, devastated an 800-kilometer stretch of coastline, equivalent to the coastline from San Francisco to San Diego. The vast recovery zone resulted in a logistical nightmare, the body argued.

Of the total "tsunami" budget of US$9 billion, the body has spent US$ 775 million, one year after the catastrophe, less than 10 percent of the total funds committed by the Indonesian government, international donors and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

The body said funds had been held back because of the bureaucratic reforms taking place in the central government. Although the reforms are necessary to prevent corruption, they have generated confusion among government officials as long- standing practice have been overhauled. In addition, the budgetary system has not been working well, meaning a considerable amount of funds set to be directed for tsunami recovery were languishing in Jakarta until as late as September 2005.

Another problem for the body is addressing the needs of survivors. The step taken by the body to promote a bottom-up approach rather than a top-down one is commendable but, like it or not, it has also contributed to a disappointing outcome, due to time-consuming public forums on which projects best meet survivors' needs.

The body has to strike a balance for the bottom-up approach to not cost it too much time.

Last but not least, the body's officials may need reminding that the tsunami was one of the greatest displays of mother nature's wrath in modern history. The outpouring of aid that followed it was unprecedented and, likewise, the body is expected to put in maximum effort.

Its sluggish programs are not acceptable to the public given the funds it has access to and the tremendous amount of support it has been given. The BRR has to work harder in order to meet public expectations.

The Acehnese have observed BRR staff members -- and also the members of international NGOs -- wandering around wearing expensive-looking clothes and driving upmarket cars, and they demand to see results. If the results are not satisfactory then it will be the body itself that is said to be Badan Rawon-Rawon (leisurely walking around).