BANDA ACEH, INDONESIA 14 Aug 2005 - The International Rescue Committee welcomes the peace accord, to be signed Monday by Indonesia’s government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM), as a hopeful opportunity for peace, stability and recovery in a province that has seen 30 years of war and further devastation by the tsunami.
“The peace deal is a major step toward resolving the long-standing conflict and establishes common ground between the two sides as never seen before in the Aceh conflict,” says Hervé de Baillenx, who oversees the IRC’s aid programs in Indonesia through the CARDI coalition. “Its successful implementation will have a profound impact on the Acehnese population.”
The International Rescue Committee urges both sides to assiduously abide by the conditions in the agreement, to ensure a complete end to the violence and to create an environment where the Achenese can rebuild their communities in peace and security.
The reconstruction needs in Aceh are enormous and challenging. The IRC calls on Indonesian authorities to continue working with UN agencies and international and local aid groups and ensure them free movement so that appropriate assistance reaches all Achenese, including the tens of thousands who are displaced as a result of conflict.
The IRC also encourages both parties to support the full participation of Achenese civil society in helping to monitor and implement the accord, resolve disputes and shape the future of Aceh Province.
The IRC has been providing humanitarian assistance for war-impacted communities in Aceh since 2000. Relief efforts expanded significantly in the aftermath of the tsunami.
