Residents seek refuge from violence in Aceh as war looms

Residents seek refuge from violence in Aceh as war looms

Nani Farida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh

The Blang Badeh state elementary school in Bireuen regency, some
250 kilometers east of Banda Aceh, has become a makeshift refugee
camp for hundreds of people fleeing violence in their remote
villages.

Six days ago, their villages turned into a war zone between
the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the separatist Free Aceh
Movement (GAM).

There are a total of 7,000 residents seeking refuge at a
number of locations in the regency. Besides the Blang Bladeh
elementary school, residents are also taking refuge at the Grand
Mosque in Bireun. They residents come from eight villages in two
districts, Jeumpa and Peudada.

"We took refuge after two residents were shot during the armed
conflict," said Rusli, 50, a resident of Abu Usong village, where
TNI and GAM engaged in a battle several days ago.

Rusli left behind his house and all of his cattle, and has not
been back to his village for several days.

"Three youths were arrested by troops when they returned to
their houses. They still have not been released as of today,"
Rusli told The Jakarta Post on Saturday.

Bireuen, a GAM stronghold on the province's east coast, has
experienced an uptick in violence since the government decided
not to attend a Joint Council meeting with GAM, which the
government has accused of violating the Cessation of Hostilities
Agreement signed by the two sides.

The government has demanded that GAM disarm and renounce its
demand for independence as a precondition for moving ahead with
the peace process. If the separatist movement refuses to meet
these demands, the government has warned that it will launch a
military operation in the province.

At least 471 of the refugees have fallen ill. One person was
transported to the hospital for treatment because there is a
limited supply of medicine at the refugee camps.

Heavy rain is contributing to the worsening condition at the
camps. At the elementary school, many families are living in
tents put up in an empty field next to the school.

Nyak Husna, an elderly woman, said she had slept out in the
rain the past few nights.

Hundreds of children are among those taking refuge at the
camp. Final exams are scheduled for May 12 to May 14 and it seems
unlikely the children will be able to sit the exams.

"I am worried about the education of my grandson. He is all I
have," said Jamilah of her grandson Anwar, an elementary school
student.

Jamilah has raised her grandson since he was born. "I want him
to become a good student. But that is unlikely to happen, right?"

Junaedi Abdullah, an unofficial spokesman for the refugees,
said the refugees would return home only when the government
provided them a security guarantee.

"The government has not ordered us to return home, nor has it
provided any assistance. The government must be accountable,"
Junaedi said.

To provide for the refugees, Junaedi and a number of youths
asks motorists for donations.

Junaedi said that after the peace agreement was signed last
December he never imagined that he would have to flee his home.

"If this situation continues, we want freedom. Freedom from
fear and hunger," he said.

Bireun Regent Mustafa Gelanggang said the refugee situation
was serious and that the local administration was overwhelmed.

"Don't blame me if this matter turns into a humanitarian
disaster in Aceh, which will cause people to oppose a military
operation," Mustafa said.

Mustafa demanded the government, the military, the police and
the Aceh provincial administration resolve the refugee problem.

If the number of refugees continues to increase, he said, it
has the potential to cause rioting in Bireun.

"This will draw criticism from everyone," he said.