BRR finalizes data on housing reconstruction

Nani Afrida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh

The Aceh-Nias Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Agency (BRR) has finalized data on reconstruction and housing aid distributed to those displaced by the 2004 earthquake and tsunami.

The data indicates more than 217,800 displaced families in Aceh were entitled to receive housing aid -- 118,861 of which were provided with new housing, 78,084 offered rebuilding funds, 11,934 provided with housing in new locations and 8,895 given rent assistance.

According to BRR reconstruction director J. Kamal Farza, the data will help ensure that every displaced family has been accounted for and also prevent irregularities.

""The data will prevent doubled-up applications for housing aid and cases of repeated data,"" Kamal said.

Of the 217,819 houses provided for families displaced by the tsunami, only 91,540 have been completed. Some are reported to be in the finishing stages.

According to plans, the agency will issue identity cards -- disclosing particulars of each household head and family members, and including passport photos and thumb prints -- to every recipient who is entitled to receive housing aid.

""The aim of the cards is to prevent aid from being accessed by those who are not eligible.""

The data has been collected from 19 regencies and mayoralties across Aceh that were affected by the tsunami.