Reports Of Alleged Misuse Of Humanitarian Aid In Aceh
By Helena M. Mahathir

Bandar Seri Begawan - With the reported death toll in the Aceh province now surpassing 100,000, hordes of doctors, troops and relief workers are working around the clock to keep the survivors of the tsunami disaster alive.

However, in the midst of all the shock and chaos - with survivors still trying to come to grips with the tragedy - there have been reports of misuse of humanitarian aid meant for the survivors.

Islamic Dakwah Centre Lecturer Ustaz Dr Hj Ismuhadi bin Hj Abdullah - who hails from Aceh - is currently in his home country to witness for himself the aftermath of the catastrophe that has befallen the once thriving city of Banda Aceh, that only weeks ago boasted a population of over 300,000 people.

In a telephone interview with the Bulletin, Ustaz Dr Hj Ismuhadi disclosed that not all contributions are reaching the rightful recipients - instead they are allegedly being stolen and sold.

It was learnt that the lecturer's family - who too is affected by the disaster - had witnessed for themselves the misuse of these contributions, whereby a truckload of donated rice was stolen and presumably sold.

He also spoke of the overwhelming number of bodies left inside mosques that are awaiting burial, as well as of the survivors who are placed at temporary shelter homes.

The rate of now orphaned young survivors is also very high.

Ustaz Dr Hi Ismuhadi also disclosed that he has heard news of ships smuggling children survivors - via Pulau Batam - to have them sold. In light of this, he strongly hopes that the people of Brunei will be able to assist in offering shelter to these children in any way thought safe.

In addition, he is also hoping that the people here can offer physical help to the victims, some of whom are still too traumatise to manage the dead bodies.

There have been many heartfelt contributions made by residents of Brunei to help the survivors of the tsunami, continued Ustaz Dr Hj Ismuhadi, who will return to Brunei tomorrow.

He will head back to Aceh in the very near future, accompanied by a group of Brunei volunteers and donors.

To make contributions or for enquiries, Ustaz Dr Hj Ismuhadi can be reached at 21 A, Spg 165, Jln Bebatik, Kg Kilanas or 8-891461. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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