Regional council criticizes govt aid bureaucracy
Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta
Acehnese members of the Regional Representatives Council (DPD) complained about the lengthy procedures applied by the government-sanctioned disaster-relief team for tsunami victims to receive aid.
They also criticized the poor performance of the Cabinet ministers in managing the humanitarian aid in Aceh and North Sumatra.
"In some areas in Aceh, people must bring a letter from the village head to get food. In fact, many village heads have gone. Why should the procedure be so lengthy in an emergency situation?" DPD member Helmi Mahera Al-Mujahid told the press here on Friday.
In some places, he said, the relief team was willing to hand out aid only to groups of 30 refugees. "People will not get aid if they are not part of a group," he added.
Helmi and fellow DPD member Malik Raden had just returned from Aceh, where a powerful quake and tsunamis on Dec. 26 devastated parts of the province and North Sumatra.
Some 98,000 people died and hundreds of thousands were left homeless in the calamity. Two Acehnese DPD members, Mediati Hafni Hanum and Adnan, were injured in the disaster.
The magnitude of the disaster and the casualties it caused has united the world. Donor countries have pledged US$4 billion to the affected nations and committed to long-term rehabilitation and reconstruction.
Helmi said he appreciated the sincerity of foreign organizations and countries helping the Acehenese. Taking as an example, Helmi said the United States had given a quick response to a demand for helicopters for aid distribution.
"At the same time, the government-sanctioned team keeps on organizing meetings," he said.
Malik Raden, meanwhile, regretted that humanitarian aid could only be enjoyed by people taking refuge in tents, but not those staying at relative's homes.
Malik, meanwhile, said he and Helmi had helped with the distribution of aid to isolated places in West Aceh and Aceh Raya regencies while the government team had failed to do so.
He suggested that the government improve teams to evacuate dead bodies. "President Susilo must improve the relief team," he added.
Responding to the concern, DPD's coordinator for affected areas Ichsan Loulembah said on Friday that the DPD would further discuss steps to be taken.
Ichsan said the government lacked coordination to handle the aftermath of the disaster. He criticized the work of government officials in disaster-hit areas.