Aceh reconstruction still slow one year on

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).