Faith-Based Tsunami Relief Groups Face Departure Deadline in Indonesia

It has nearly been three months since the devastating tsunami in the Indian Ocean. International aid agencies have already declared the commencement of the recovery and reconstruction phase. On Tuesday, the Indonesian government released a statement saying that evaluation of the work of each humanitarian relief group will be carried out in the Aceh province so as to set a list of organisations that will be allowed to stay in the region.

The decision has raised concern among Christian relief groups who were previously accused of converting people to Christianity as they carried out humanitarian work in the predominately Muslim Aceh province. The Aceh province is in fact the worst tsunami-hit area because it was closest to the centre of the earthquake.

Currently, the Indonesian government is ordering all international relief organisations to fill out forms explaining what kind of work they are doing in the Aceh Province and the sources of their funding. With this information, the government will decide by 27th April which organisations will be allowed to remain.

The Aceh Province used to be a highly-monitored area where Indonesian military clashed with independence-seeking rebels before 2003’s ceasefire. The Boxing Day’s tsunami has opened a greater access for foreign organisations as aid efforts and deliveries have poured in.

After Tuesday’s statement, relief groups feared that the government would return to its old restricted policy towards foreigners, especially as their presence is giving greater international exposure to the rebels and highlighting human rights abuses by the military.

Additionally, as the faith-based relief groups, especially Christian ones, have been accused of proselytising tsunami victims alongside with their aid delivery, they worry that they will no longer be allowed to stay in the region despite the fact that much reconstruction work remains desperate.

Indonesia's defense minister Juwono Sudarsono, who was in Washington to speak about the country's military reforms earlier, was quoted by the US media that the government was going to weed out Christian groups and replace them with Moslem organisations by setting a deadline for certain chosen groups to leave.

However, Indonesian Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Alwi Shihab denied that the government will be targeting Christian groups for expulsion.

"There is no such thing as you are Christians, so you are not allowed, if you are Moslem, you are more welcome," Alwi clarified at a press conference. "No, as long as you can demonstrate your skills, your past experience and capabilities, then you are most welcome to stay to be part of reconstruction phase."

Alwi also assured that all groups and individuals who renew their visas will be allowed to stay until 27th April, one month past the previous 26th March deadline regardless of religious affiliation. By 27th April, the government will announce the groups who are chosen to stay and continue the reconstruction work.