Aceh

Acheh Tsunami - December 2004

• Report rights infringement
• published: 19 Nov 2005
• views: 89847

Local forum wants UN to monitor aid distribution in Acheh 1/6/2005 Alt Aid Acheh-Tsunami Reports of military interference in aid distribution in Acheh have prompted a forum of concerned individuals to urge the United Nations (UN) to get clarification from the Indonesian government. Alt Aid Acheh-Tsunami* is particularly concerned about the current situation in Acheh, given that the humanitarian disaster happened in a province that has been under military operations for the past three decades and under a state of emergency since May 2003. “We are deeply concerned that the humanitarian catastrophe in Acheh is being exacerbated by military action in the region,” said Zaitun Kasim, on behalf of the newly-formed forum, Alt Aid Acheh-Tsunami, in a letter to the UN secretary-general handed over at Wisma UN in Kuala Lumpur today. “Acheh is a province under siege, and the Indonesian military is still continuing military action in the area. We have received media reports and eyewitness accounts which indicate that aid is being selectively distributed and we believe that some aid is not reaching those in need. “Continuing military operations following such an unprecedented humanitarian disaster is deplorable.” Alt Aid Acheh-Tsunami calls upon the UN to: Pressure the Indonesian government to investigate claims of corruption and intimidation within its armed forces stationed in Acheh. Ask the Indonesian government to clarify, transparently, the aid distribution system currently at work Urge for more civilian aid groups to assist humanitarian work in Acheh, rather than the Indonesian military Send international, independent observers into Acheh to monitor the current situation. Anis Yusal Yusoff, Assistant Resident Representative Programme with the UNDP, received the letter and promised to forward it to the two UN representatives in Jakarta who will bring the matter to the attention of UN secretary-general Kofi Annan who is there for the Tsunami Aid Conference beginning today. * Alt Aid Acheh-Tsunami is a forum of individuals who aim to complement current relief efforts in Acheh by filling in the gaps caused by the political reality of a natural disaster in a state under siege. Alt Aid Acheh-Tsunami is committed to ensuring there is people-to-people support in the face of a humanitarian crisis that is being exacerbated by human rights violations. Individuals in the coalition have had a long relationship with small groups who are working on the ground in Acheh and are using these links to provide support to those overlooked by official efforts. For more information, contact Zaitun Kasim 017-873 2795, Masjaliza Hamzah 019-221 5334, or Joseph Roy 013-530 1505. http://www.suaram.net/display_article.asp?ID=168