Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Jakarta (Fides Service) - The announcement that the Indonesian government intends to revoke the state of emergency in Aceh has been warmly welcomed by the local people sorely affected by the 26 December tsunami disaster which killed 165,000 people and left more than 600,000 homeless. Jakarta said it will end the state of emergency to allow the reconstitution of local civil administration to facilitate rebuilding in the devastated region .
In Ache in more than 30 years of fighting between separatists and the regular army at least 10,000 people were killed. In May 2003 the government imposed martial law and a curfew and launched a vast military operation to repress the armed separatist groups.
Fides sources in Aceh say tension is still latent in the area where violence is the cause of great suffering for the people. The civil society, intellectuals, human rights groups want to build a new Aceh where there is respect for human rights, peace, freedom and democracy.
Decades of conflict and damage caused by the tsunami worsened the situation. Today 86% of the population has problems of food security and NGOs say people lack essential services such as access to clean water, health-care, education, transport, and fundamental infrastructures such as roads, bridges, clinics, dams, irrigation system.
A Crisis and Reconciliation Service set up by the Catholic Bishops of Indonesia funded by Catholic donations, promotes joint programmes with local Muslim groups. Muslim and Catholic religious leaders have a joint programme to rebuild homes damaged by the tsunami.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 13/5/2005 righe 29 parole 247)
