National

Dead Line for Foreign Volunteers Extended
Friday, 18 March, 2005 | 19:15 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:Indonesia is to extend the working time permitted for foreign volunteers in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam by a further 30 to 60 days after the emergency status ends on March 26.
According to a press release (17/3), Coordinating Minister for People’s Welfare Alwi Shihab said that the reason for the extension was “to give time for the foreign volunteers who have made a significant contribution to work to the maximum.”

The additional up to 60 days deadline can be still be extended again.
“If this is deemed necessary to guarantee the transition time so the reconstruction phase can be more effective and transparent,” said Minister Alwi.
In addition, according to Aditya Wardhana, a media consultant for the Coordinating Minister, the deadline extension has been made so that the government can coordinate better with all people involved in Aceh like donor countries or foreign institutions, including those from the United Nations (UN).
The decision by Minister Alwi, according to Adit, was already been agreed to by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Monday (14/3).

“The extension period is also to be used by the government to evaluate both the master plan and the contribution that the foreign volunteers can provide,” said Adit.
Based on the scenario, it is possible that the UN foundations might not join the reconstruction phase if this is not in line with the master plan.
However, there is a strong likelihood that the 180 foreign foundations that are still in Aceh will contribute to the reconstruction phase.

One of the foundations that is ready to accept the extension is the United Nations International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF).
The deadline set by the Indonesian government, according to the UNICEF representative for Indonesia, Gianfranco Rotigliano, is not an obstacle as regards the institution’s work in Aceh.

“That’s not the main issue, we will make the best use of this time and remain committed to our work there,” said Rotigliano in Jakarta yesterday at a press conference with UNICEF ambassador Clay Aiken who was also a runner up in the American Idol TV series.

According to Rotigliano, UNICEH has several programs for Acehenese children who are victims of the earthqakes and tsumani waves.
UNICEF will still run its Children Center and rebuild damaged schools as part of its education program.

ami afriatni/adi warsidi/yohanes adi wiyanto