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Indonesia to limit aid workers in Aceh

The Indonesian government yesterday defended its decision to limit foreign aid workers in the tsunami-devastated province of Aceh, and placed new restrictions on organizations allowed to continue work there after a March 26 deadline.

The decision has drawn criticism that the government is sliding back into the tough pre-disaster security conditions in Aceh, where the military has been trying to crush a nearly-three-decades-long rebel insurgency, now that the emergency phase of the aid operation is officially over.

"Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono signed a presidential decree on Friday, March 4, 2005, changing the status of the situation in Aceh from emergency relief to reconstruction starting March 26," said a statement issued by Coordinating Minister of People's Welfare Alwi Shihab.

"Those organizations that will continue operating in Aceh after that date are those that will make proven concrete contributions to the reconstruction phase," Shihab said.

He said the government was reviewing the work of all humanitarian groups in Aceh to weed out unnecessary or redundant organizations. But he added that it would not stand in the way of the massive foreign aid efforts that have been under way in Aceh since the earth-quake-triggered tsunami decimated thousands of homes and buildings.

"The government of Indonesia continues to welcome foreign humanitarian assistance for as long as necessary and has no intention of causing difficulties for foreign humanitarian organizations," he said.

The foreign ministry announced the new policy to limit the number of foreign aid groups and individuals in the province last week, saying the move was to avoid duplication of efforts and "to make sure there is no mismatch between what is needed and what is offered".

At least 140 non-governmental organization from 83 foreign countries have been operating in Aceh.

Shihab said the government would notify who goes and who stays before the March 26 deadline, but the UN agencies already said to be on the exit list included the International Organization for Migration and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

Prior to the disaster, organizations were severely restricted and journalists barred from the area.
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