JP/5/BRR

Aceh reconstruction body comes under fire

Syahruddin Hamzah Antara/Banda Aceh

After initially high expectations, survivors of the tsunami in Aceh have started to criticize the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Agency for Aceh and Nias (BRR).

The survivors, who still live in decrepit shelters and camps, say the agency has been slow at bringing about reconstruction and rehabilitation in the tsunami-ravaged areas of Aceh. "We initially looked forward to the BRR's establishment, but the body has failed to live up to our expectations," said Anwarudin, a displaced person in Banda Aceh.

While the survivors do not know the reasons for the slow pace of reconstruction, they do know that most of them have not been provided with the promised houses thus far.

With the government's commitment to building houses for the refugees unrealized, the BRR has sparked ridicule from the public who now call it the 'badan rawon-rawon' (out-for-a-stroll agency). Efforts now need to be made to restore the BRR's tarnished image.

According to Anwaruddin, people are not only disappointed with the sluggish performance of the BRR, but also what they see as improprieties given current living conditions in Aceh.

He cited as an example the highly salaries paid to BRR employees, some of whom earn the same as a local legislative councillor at Rp 30 million.

A recent report from the Aceh Anticorruption Movement (Gerak) says BRR chairman Kuntoro Mangkusubroto is paid Rp 75 million a month (US$7,500).

"We heard that they are paid very well, but we're not sure exactly," Anwaruddin said.

During visits to the tsunami-hit zones, the BRR officials arrive in new cars while the refugees have to live in uncertainty due to the unreliable payment of the paltry Rp 3,000-per-person subsistence allowance.

However, BRR chief executive Kuntoro Mangkusubroto said that the reconstruction process was proceeding smoothly as scheduled. Up to 11,000 new houses are being built right now, and another 30,000 houses will be completed by the end of this year. "People can scoff at the BRR, but they should also understand that the reconstruction process in Aceh is proceeding and that some of the refugees have already moved into their new houses on a permanent basis," said Kuntoro.

The main obstacle faced by people to date concerned the status of the land on which their houses were being built because of the lack of complete ownership documents and proofs, most of which were lost or destroyed in the tsunami. Despite that, Kuntoro said that the BRR would build 70,000 houses for the refugees in collaboration with international relief organizations by the end of 2006.

Spokesman for the Indonesian Red Cross in Aceh, Ardi Sofinar, said that the refugees in Aceh had been living in appalling conditions for the last four months, particularly those living in tents as most of these were now torn.

The situation had been worsened by the arrival of the rainy season.

The plan to rebuild the refugees' houses, which was initially slated to be completed within a year, had in fact failed and the best thing now would be to build temporary homes that satisfied health requirements.

According to Ardi, at least 116,000 residents' homes were devastated by the tsunami last year, while there were still 436,820 refugees still living in camps.

Meanwhile, 75,576 refugees were living in temporary barracks, 67,504 in emergency tents they erected themselves, and 293,740 were staying with relatives or neighbors.

The tsunami reportedly killed some 130,000 people in Aceh's coastal areas.