Welthungerhilfe: elections in Aceh should help to improve people's lives
Deutsche Welthungerhilfe
Website: http://www.welthungerhilfe.de
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Bonn/Banda Aceh, 11.12.2006. Today's elections in the Indonesian province of Aceh represent a culmination of the peace process that began in the aftermath of the tsunami disaster of 26 December 2004. "The former enemies are now competing peacefully for votes. That's a very positive development in this conflict," says Gert Reinberger, Indonesia Programme Manager for Deutsche Welthungerhilfe (German Agro Action).
Around 2.5 million registered Acehnese are called upon to elect their provincial governor and 19 local district leaders. The poll forms part of the peace process agreed between the "Free Aceh Movement" (GAM) and the central government. As the Indonesian state undergoes a process of democratic restructuring, Aceh is now the last province to hold direct elections.
"The most important task of the new provincial government is to advance the economic development of this sorely afflicted province," explains Mr. Reinberger. He points to the continuing shortage of housing and the lack of an intact infrastructure. A key to progress is, he says, the pledge by the central government to allow the province in future to dispose of around half of the revenues from local oil and gas exploitation.
Just a few days after Aceh was struck by the terrible tsunami, Welthungerhilfe teams were on the ground to assist people. During the emergency relief stage the organisation's activities included the reconstruction of six units at the central hospital and assistance for thousands of homeless people. Welthungerhilfe's redevelopment programme then focused on the building of homes and schools, the provision of drinking-water and income-generating measures. Welthungerhilfe plans to remain active in Aceh at least until the end of 2009, earmarking more than 15 million euros for its various projects.
Gert Reinberger is available for interviews on request.
Deutsche Welthungerhilfe is one of the largest and longest-standing non-governmental humanitarian aid organisations in Germany. It provides a complete range of assistance, from rapid emergency aid to reconstruction programmes and also long-term development cooperation projects with local partner organisations in accordance with the principle of promoting self-help. Since its foundation in 1962 around 5,000 projects have been carried out in 70 countries with funding totalling 1.42 billion euros - for a world without hunger and poverty.
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