NGO accuses officials of abusing aid for Aceh

NGO accuses officials of abusing aid for Aceh

Forum-Asia, an Asian-based human rights watchdog, expressed
concern on Wednesday over the alleged abuse of aid for tsunami
victims in Aceh as some officials were selling the food aid to
survivors.

The NGO received reports from its members and partners who
were working inside Aceh that officials at Banda Aceh's Sultan
Iskandar Muda Airport sold instant noodles for Rp 500 (US$0.05)
per pack.

The NGO also recorded that desperate survivors at some
distribution centers managed by the military were denied aid if
they were unable to produce proper identity cards.

"In some cases, those who fail to present their identity cards
are harassed and even beaten up. It is assumed that such
incidents are more prevalent in remote areas," the NGO said in
its report revealed at a press conference.

To prevent further abuses in the field, the NGO appealed to
the Indonesian government to immediately outline detailed
procedures for the disbursement of aid on the ground.

It also demanded the military authority create a code of
conduct for military personnel supporting relief work, in order
to enable civil society volunteers to assist the survivors. -- JP