Imran MA, Jakarta – The Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Agency (BRR) office in Lhokseumawe has been occupied by hundreds of tsunami victims.

The victims, who are members of the People's Movement for Tsunami Victims, are demanding that the BRR Regional II at Lhokseumawe pay out rehabilitation funds amounting to Rp15 million per home.

People from the villages of Pusong Lama, Pusong Baru, Keude Aceh and Kuala Meuraksa have come to the BRR office, set up tents and hung banners along the fences of the office.

Earlier, the BRR modified its policy for substituting rehabilitation funds from Rp15 million per home to Rp2.5 million per home. This policy is being challenged by the tsunami victims.

"The sum of Rp2.5 million in funds is inappropriate," said Sofyan, the coordinator of this action.

In his opinion, based on Presidential Regulation No 30/2005 on Aceh and Nias Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Master Plan, tsunami victims whose houses are slightly ruined should be compensated Rp10 million and those with heavily ruined houses should be compensated Rp25 million per home.

In response to this, Head of BRR Regional II Representative at Lhokseumawe T. Maksal Putra said that they would hear what people have to say. "Should there be anyone who disagrees with the rehabilitation fund of Rp2.5 million, then they should submit a report in writing," he said.

Maksal also reminded that those who have not yet been registered as the receivers of home-rehabilitation funds should enlist through coordinating in their own regions. "The data will be taken to the BRR in Banda Aceh," he said.