Aid Workers’ Safety a Concern in Indonesia
January 12, 2005
by Kevin Caruso
Indonesia’s government has issued numerous warnings to aid workers that they may not be safe in many areas of northern Indonesia because of separatist rebel activity.
However, the main rebel group has said that they will not attack any aid workers.
The insurgents offered a cease-fire shortly after the tsunami, and the government has
indicated that they will do the same.
But because of the potential for violence against aid workers, the government is restricting the movement of them to areas that it deems as safe. Any aid workers that want to work outside of these “safe” areas will need permission form the government.
The 28-year separatist movement in the Aceh province has resulted in thousands of deaths.
Rebels want to create a separate state in the northern part of Sumatra.