“This is the most difficult region. This is the most destroyed area,” mentioned Kuntoro Mangkusubroto yesterday. The Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Agency chief for Aceh and Nias (BRR) stated the intricacy of reconstruction works in the Aceh Jaya district. When he said that, I remembered my experience passing Gunung Mancang, an area located between Kuede Patek and Lhok Kruet. I did the Camel Trophy drive in more than 24 hours to pass the 35 km road.
On Saturday, June 23, many people from government offices and NGO representatives gathered in Calang. It is a rare occasion for the Head of BRR and the Governor of Nangroe Aceh Darussalam to attend the house dedication for tsunami victims. On the occasion, both the Governor and the BRR Chief expressed their gratitude to NGOs who work in Aceh's west coast region. There are more than 40 international NGOs working in this region. Their appreciation since the effort of house construction works exceeds the difficulties. The challenges not only caused by the destruction of infrastructure but came from the unfriendly natural forces as well. But the most dreadful was the security problems. "Development in Calang is moving slowly. Many non-governmental organizations could not stay there. District heads were asking the organizations for their diesel fuel and contractors were 'approached' by security personnel. I have warned them (district heads and security personnel) not to disrupt reconstruction work," Kuntoro revealed to Jakarta Post on December 2005. In that edition, Kuntoro also mentioned that there were only two non-governmental organizations still in Calang: Samaritan Purse and Habitat for Humanity. *)
On the event yesterday, again, Kuntoro warned the local government. “Please do no harm to the NGO worker”. He stated his disappointment since some NGO workers were taken hostage and beaten by the community. “Don’t ever think if one community rejects an NGO, the community will easily get help from other NGO. Even BRR will not work for any reconstruction work in such community.” Kuntoro might be troubled since he received a complaint from the Canadian Red Cross since their staffs were taken as hostage in Kuede Patek.
The statement is good, but it is too late. This month, our operation on the West Coast will be finished. From Valentine's Day 2005, when we started the project, we repeatedly received serious oppression, even death threats. The intimidation came from the beneficiaries, local leaders, and also from local suppliers who were forced to sell their building materials at unreasonable prices. Myself I thought my time had come when a mob of more than 100 men came to our office in Rigaih on one night in April 2006. In the commotion, they forced us to build 45 45-meter square house. They were not satisfied with the 36-meter square house we have already donated. They wanted larger.
Yesterday afternoon, our toils and grieves were paid. In the midst of appreciation given by the BRR Head, NAD Governor, and Aceh Jaya District Head, Habitat for Humanity is distinctively appreciated. BRR picked two NGOs to represent all NGOs that need to be acknowledged. Together with Samaritan’s Purse representative, Leonilo ‘Tots’ Escalada, our Project Director, received the placard. “Please extend my regards to your headquarters in the United States,” said Kuntoro after he paid tribute to Habitat for Humanity. With 739 houses built from Rigaih to Lhok Kruet, our mission on the West Coast is accomplished.
*) http://www.thejakartapost.com/yesterdaydetail.asp?fileid=20051215.D07
Arwin Soelaksono - Disaster Response & reConstruction
