Aceh: 10 Years After

ACEH province deserves praise for its amazing recovery and makeover from the ravages of the world's worst natural disaster 10 years ago. New houses have been built in the areas affected by the 5-meter-high waves that swept across the province's western coastal areas. Roads and highways have been smoothly repaved and the people have benefitted from the newly built hospitals, health clinics and new administrative offices. Praise has been showered on the the Aceh-Nias Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Board (BRR) which efficiently administered the US$7.2 billion fund donated by governments, organizations and individuals from around the world.

Under the management of Kuntoro Mangkusubroto (2005-2009), BRR restored Aceh to its former glory. In turn, the Acehnese saluted the generosity of donors by immortalizing them in the names given to roads, parks, schools and hospitals. Today, there are roads named after America and Japan, hospitals rebuilt with the help of Saudi Arabia, Switzerland and Russia. Even an entire reconstructed village was named after the popular actor Jackie Chan, with funds provided by the Chinese government. Aceh has been hailed as one of the world's most successful, post-disaster reconstruction programs.