Dozens West Aceh citizens staged a rally Friday marking the fourth anniversary of the tsunami to demand the government organize the reconstruction of the devastated areas in the province more equitably.

The protesters, who called themselves the Tsunami Housing Fighter Movement (GPRS), staged their rally in Meulaboh, the capital city of Aceh Barat, the region least assisted by the government or by donor-funded reconstruction programs under the Aceh and Nias Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Agency (BRR).

Rally coordinator Adi Chandra told tempointeraktif.com the demonstrators were people who had not received aid in the form of housing from the government even though they had sent numerous proposals and requests.

One protester, 28-year-old Ainul Mardhiah, said she had been living with relatives since the tsunami struck four years ago on Dec. 26. "I submitted a proposal. At one time we were told all tsunami victims would get a house," she said.

Meanwhile, local officials and other citizens prayed together in Meulaboh the same day to commemorate the disaster and remember the hundreds of family members who perished or vanished in the calamity. (and)