Tsunami anniversary will highlight rehabilitation concerns
21 Nov 2005
Banda Aceh - The rehabilitation and reconstruction process of coastal Aceh after the Tsunami is still oscillating between humanitarian, environmental, economic and social community development.
The lack of integration of these efforts can result in reconstruction becoming more expensive and hazardous causing a deterioration in the quality of the environment.
This matter was conveyed by the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Agency (BRR) Aceh-Nias, in co-operation with the Wetlands International Indonesia Program, WWF-Indonesia, along with IUCN, Both ENDS and NOVIB at the Mangrove Inaugural Planting ceremony at Kajhu Village, Kecamatan Baitussalam, District of Aceh Besar.
"Reconstruction must be implemented systematically with the effect of restoring and improving the function of the ecosystem. Reconstruction, in the long run, also has to increase community livelihoods or incomes, especially those dependent on fishing and agriculture", according to Kuntoro Mangkusubroto, the Chairman of BRR.
"Cooperation is necessary between various parties through a systematic approach that can mutually strengthen the rehabilitation efforts undertaken. If all parties work in isolation, the costs will be very high and success will not be assured," he said.
The planting of mangroves together with other coastal vegetation marks the beginning of the Green Coast Program. This program is an integral part of the NAD/Nias rehabilitation and reconstruction effort.
The Green Coast Program emphasises the rehabilitation and reconstruction effort to improve the coastal ecosystem by way of a livelihood approach.
Mubariq Ahmad, Executive Director of WWF-Indonesia, said WWF has a commitment to give assistance to Aceh in order to prevention further humanitarian and ecological disasters.
This program is part of the implementation of the Green Reconstruction Guidelines (GRG).
"On 17 April 2005, the Green Reconstruction Policy Guidelines, which is aimed to assist in providing natural protection against future tsunamis and extreme natural events, was launched and has received positive responses from various parties in Indonesia as well as internationally," Mubariq said.
"The Green Coast Project is the follow up action of the GRG mentioned in the formation of the implementation guidelines and an example of the best practices of green rehabilitation and reconstruction.
"This implementation guidelines provides an opportunity for decision makers and policies to ensure long-term continuous development and guarantees that the results of reconstruction have longevity while supported by local stakeholders.
"Other than this, the implementation guidelines also will greatly benefit the implementers of the rehabilitation and reconstruction," Mubariq said.
Nyoman Suryadiputra, Technical Director for WIIP, said: "Improvement of the coastal ecosystem can not be implemented by itself without paying attention to the livelihoods of local communities. Our experience has taught us that coastal ecosystem rehabilitation efforts are much more successful if they are combined with improvements in local communities livelihoods," continued Suryadiputra.
Suryadiputra said local non-government organisations together with other interested community groups who may wish to join the Green Coast Program (Program Pesisir Hijau) can contact the BRR Environment Director (Direktur Lingkungan BRR), the WIIP representative office in Banda Aceh, or WWF-Indonesia Aceh Program Office.
The Green Coast Program, with the theme 'Plant now, tomorrow reap the benefits', and Rehabilitating the Coasts of Aceh and Nias is the responsibility of all of us together."
It is hoped this effort will restore the ecological condition, provide physical protection for communities from natural processes and in the long term improve the livelihoods and incomes of those communities especially dependent on fishing as well as agriculture.
Notes
This green program initiative stems from concerns over damage to coastal regions. Department of Marine Affairs and Fisheries data show that the land area covered/utilized that was affected by the tsunami in NAD reached 33,240 hectares for mangroves, 9448.5 ha for swamp, and 58,342.9 ha for fishponds.
The rehabilitation and reconstruction effort requires cooperation between various parties in accordance with their individual capacities, where all parties work together in order to achieve the best results for communities and the environment.
Desa Kajhu is an example where we can find several parties working together among others through the Green Coast Project that is carried out by the Kajhu Village Community, BRR, WIIP, WWF, IUCN, Both Ends, NOVIB, Department of Forestry, and the Local Government.
In the near future the Canadian Red Cross (CRC), which is active in housing development and other organisations, is expected to join together in these integrated efforts both in Kajhu village and other regions in NAD and Nias.
The cooperation of various parties in Kajhu can become an example for making difficult work easier if carried out together.
For more information
Contacts
Marie-Jose Vervest, Wetlands International
Phone: +31 6 2084 4332
Nyoman N. Suryadiputra, Wetlands International Indonesia Program
Phone: +62 8 1695 0113
Nana Firman, WWF-Indonesia
Phone: +62 8 1591 08243
M. Ilman, Wetlands International Indonesia Program
Phone: +62 8 1116 7027
