Sunday, June 24, 2007

Appreciation from Chief of BRR and NAD governor


This is the most difficult region. This is the most destroyed area” mentioned Kuntoro Mangkusubroto yesterday. The chief of Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Agency for Aceh and Nias (BRR) stated the intricate of reconstruction works in Aceh Jaya district. When he said that I remembered my experience passed 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.

Saturday June 23, many people from government offices, NGO representatives gathered in Calang. It is a rare occasion, the Head of BRR together with the Governor of Nangroe Aceh Darusalam attended the house dedication for tsunami victims. In the occasion both the Governor and the BRR Chief express their gratitude to NGOs who works in Aceh west coast region. There are more than 40 international NGOs works in this region. Their appreciations since the effort of house construction works exceed the difficulties. The challenges not only caused by devastated 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 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 the NGO worker”. He stated his disappointment since some NGO worker taken as hostage and beaten by the community. “Don’t ever think if one community reject 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 complaint from Canadian Red Cross since their staffs were taken as hostage in Kuede Patek.

The statement is good, but it is so late. This month our operation in West Coast will be finished. From the Valentine Day 2005 when we started the project, we received repeatedly serious oppression even to the death threat. The intimidation came from the beneficiaries, local leaders and also from local suppliers who force to sell their building materials with unreasonable price. For my self, I thought my time was come, when a mob of more than 100 men, came to our office in Rigaih in one night of April 2006. In the commotion they forced us to build 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 to be acknowledged. Together with Samaritan’s Purse representative, Leonilo ‘Tots’ Escalada our Project Director received the placard. “Please extend my regards to your headquarter in United States” said Kuntoro after he paid tribute to Habitat for Humanity. With 739 houses built from Rigaih to Lhok Kruet, our mission in West Coast is accomplished.

*) http://www.thejakartapost.com/yesterdaydetail.asp?fileid=20051215.D07

Arwin Soelaksono - Disaster Response & reConstruction