As reconstruction from the Indian Ocean tsunami comes to an end, Aceh faces new challenges in fostering sustainable development
A community-driven approach to the reconstruction put the people of Aceh into the driver’s seat of the rebuilding process
As tragedy’s anniversary approaches, many consider the recovery effort’s US$700 million Multi-Donor Fund to be a model for success
December 18, 2008 — Four years have passed since the devastating 2004 tsunami hit Indonesia, and the province of Aceh is a different place. The worst natural disaster to hit a developing country in decades claimed about 167,000 lives and destroyed schools, houses, churches, roads and livelihoods. Nearly US$5 billion in houses, infrastructure and other assets were damaged or completely lost, equaling roughly 80 percent of Aceh’s annual economic activity.
Now, as the tragedy’s fourth anniversary approaches, Aceh has made significant progress toward recovering and even improving what was lost in the December 26 tsunami. Many communities that saw catastrophic damage have rebuilt homes and schools, and restored roads, electricity, water and sanitation to buildings. Funds from the central Government, flowing from a peace agreement that resolved the province’s 30-year-old secessionist conflict, are also helping to move things forward.
A vital part of the recovery progress is the Multi-Donor Fund (MDF), which is managed by the World Bank with contributions and guidance from 15 other international donor partners. The US$700 million fund, which this week released a four-year progress report, is considered by many a model for success. This is due in large part to the integral leadership role of the Indonesian Government and a unique focus on involving affected communities in the recovery process.
“I think the greatest achievement of the MDF has been partnering and being there with the people of Aceh and the Government of Indonesia,” said George Soraya, Lead Municipal Engineer for the World Bank in Jakarta. “The people are now empowered. They are free of fear and able to [contribute] to the province’s development.”
‘Control over their destiny’
Soraya, who is the task team leader of the Urban Poverty Program (UPP) and the MDF Housing Project in Aceh, said through a community-driven development (CDD) approach they were able to put the people of Aceh into the driver’s seat of the rebuilding process. They were “at the forefront of their destiny,” he said.
Houses in Lampu'uk, Aceh Besar, as seen on Dec. 20, 2005 (right) and June 27, 2007 (left). Overall, thousands of houses have been built since the 2004 tsunami caused nearly US$5 billion in damage to Aceh houses, infrastructure and other assets.
“The MDF Housing Project provided the ultimate partnership,” he said, adding that it established a level of trust between government and community never experienced before. Overall, thousands of houses have been built as a result of community-driven village planning approaches.
Working directly with the victims of the disaster was a central part of Soraya’s work during the initial phase of Aceh’s reconstruction in Feb. 2005. During the process of facilitating communities in self-recovery, he made a lot of new friends. It was particularly gratifying, he said, to see communities “building their houses, having control over their destiny [and] responding to the trust given to them.”
The World Bank’s country director in Indonesia Joachim von Amsberg said there are a number of advantages to involving communities in planning and implementing the recovery process. Strengthening and using the existing social capital adds value by building local capacity, improving governance, ensuring ownership and helping address psychological trauma.
New challenges to come
As the reconstruction continues and MDF projects are completed, new challenges arise and the focus must shift to Aceh’s long-term future, said von Amsberg. The fund operates under the coordination of its Government counterpart, the Agency for the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of Aceh (BRR). BRR was set up to coordinate reconstruction, and is due to end operations in April 2009. “The transition to local government leadership now is the big challenge,” von Amsberg said.
About 150 km of roads were reconstructed by workers from communities, providing employment opportunities and building local capacity.
Also, in the past four years, much of the area’s economy has been driven by tsunami and earthquake reconstruction efforts. The World Bank plans to stay in Aceh beyond the immediate reconstruction to help find solutions to foster long-term sustainable development. Programs should work toward creating livelihood, economic opportunities and a better investment climate, said von Amsberg.
“The challenge of developing Aceh – of creating economic progress, of creating social progress, of creating jobs and income for the many people who currently still live in poverty – is a huge challenge that remains,” von Amsberg said.
Remembering the human loss
With the significant money raised through the MDF, as well as the carefully planned and coordinated reconstruction efforts, the mantra for those involved has been a focus on Aceh “building back better.” The Bank’s Soraya believes this has already happened.
“I think Aceh has not only recovered, but it stands better than before the tsunami in their development,” he said. “They have at least fully recovered their infrastructure and other services, if not better than before tsunami.”
Despite all the advances, nothing will ever replace the human loss of the tragedy. Every year, Dec. 26 remains a somber day of remembrance in Aceh and throughout Indonesia. Still, there is also a feeling of relief, Soraya noted, considering how far they have come within such a short period of time.
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