Int'l NGOs will continue to aid Aceh, despite ban

Int'l NGOs will continue to aid Aceh, despite ban

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

International organizations will continue providing humanitarian
assistance for Aceh people, despite the government's ban imposed
on foreign agencies wishing to enter the war-torn province.

Jakarta-based Deputy to the Humanitarian Coordinator and Chief
of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian
Affairs (UN-OCHA) Michael Elmquist said the office would comply
with the government's decision and would continue cooperation
with the government to help the Acehnese.

"We have always worked with the government; if the government
says we can stay in Banda Aceh we'll stay, but if it says we have
to leave, we'll just leave," Elmquist told The Jakarta Post on
Monday.

He added that humanitarian assistance for Aceh would continue
as usual, as his office had established cooperation with the
local administration.

"We are still working with the local government in Banda Aceh
to distribute assistance," Elmquist said.

A week after imposing martial law in the province, the
government decided on Sunday to limit the movement of foreigners
in Aceh, even those involved in humanitarian activities.

UN-OCHA had earlier requested more access to Aceh to deliver
humanitarian necessities for the Acehnese, as several UN agencies
have been preparing assistance for the public.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda said on Monday
that the government should be extra cautious about the activities
of international agencies in Aceh as "there are questions about
the sincerity of these organizations in helping the Acehnese".

"Especially non-governmental organizations (NGOs), which could
have other motives or might support GAM," the minister said,
referring to the Free Aceh Movement rebel group.

Hassan said the government did not want to be bothered by the
unnecessary presence of foreigners in the province, which might
disrupt the military operation in Aceh.

"We have our own humanitarian operation; basically, we do not
need the presence of foreign NGOs in Aceh. We are open for aid,
but let us distribute the assistance," he said.

The minister called on all foreign activists to leave the
province as Jakarta had neither the time nor energy to ensure
their safety in the province.

"As a sovereign country, we wish to remind all that we have
the authority to impose sanctions on those who fail to comply
with our request," Hassan said.

Coordinating Minister for Social Welfare Jusuf Kalla said his
office had sent letters on Monday to all international
organizations regarding the aid distribution process for the
province.

"We are open for support, but work with the government or the
Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) in the distribution. We do not want
too many foreigners to stay in Aceh," he said.

The minister also emphasized that it would be difficult for
the government to ensure the safety of foreigners, should they
insist on staying in the province.

Currently, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) has provided 300
school kits and 50 tents, along with hygiene kits for children,
as education became one of the first victims of war, with the
arson of more than 300 schools in the province.

Earlier, the World Food Program (WFP) provided 10,000 tons of
rice, which has been distributed by the Indonesian Red Cross
(PMI).