Indonesia still a long way from tsunami recovery

The 2004 Asian tsunami destroyed much of Banda Aceh and left survivors groping for a way to live. A tremendous amount of foreign ad flowed in and up to 60 NGO’s were up there at one point, all doing their bit to save the world.

Like most people, I gave a small donation, but wonder where actually does all that money go. President SBY does not want to lose either aid money or face over corruption and has jailed the governor of Aceh. Still a tremendous amount of supplies are still sitting at the Customs hall in Jakarta, waiting ‘clearance’. Charities have to pay to get their stuff through, and the ones that can’t pay don’t get their supplies, simple as that.

Icelandic singer Bjork recently made a trip to Aceh and was inspired after interacting with a local female guide. Bjork said she has always worried about the transparency of major aid organizations, but now her mind had changed.

I met a Canadian guy here in Bali who helped set up a tiny organization, in one village. His idea was great. Basically they put money into an account. Foreign engineers make recommendations to a board of money to be spent. The board has to okay it, then the treasurer can release funds. I think keeping the layers of red tape to a minimum, but still having a control structure that works is the way to go.

A friend o mine is looking to get hired up in Aceh soon. He is partly inspired by the charitable aspect and partly because he needs a change. It seems he’ll have opportunities for a while to come. As one aid worker told me, “NGO stand for ‘never get out’.