More than 100,000 villagers have so far benefited from a
USAID-funded infrastructure and livelihood programme aimed at
promoting peace and reconciliation in Aceh's former
conflict-affected districts of Bener Meriah and Aceh Tengah.

Under this programme, 169 villages have completed or chosen
infrastructure projects such as schools, pre-schools, markets,
irrigation systems and bridges that are directly benefiting 96,700
people. A further 166 villages have chosen income-generating
projects such as vegetable farming, which are helping an additional
3,700 people.

Pantan Tengah Primary School and Ronga-Ronga market are two of
the most recent projects completed by residents from nearby
villages who have been particularly affected by the 29-year
conflict between Indonesian security forces and the Free Aceh
Movement (GAM).

Violence in the ethnically diverse Aceh's central highlands was
particularly intense, often pitting ethnic groups against each
other, villages against each other, and even neighbour against
neighbour.

The Ronga-Ronga sub-district market was chosen as a joint
project by villagers in Timang Gajah, Meriah Jaya and Umah Besi to
replace an old and run-down one. Vendors say business has already
picked up following Wednesday's opening of the new structure.

"During the conflict, I didn't feel safe to sell here. But now
it's different, it's really clean and the market is very busy. Plus
my income has risen," says a 50-year-old vegetable seller.

The peace building programme also provides employment to
conflict-affected groups. "The programme seeks to provide
employment to former combatants and especially to vulnerable groups
such as widows and female victims of the conflict," says IOM
project manager, James Bean.

Almost half of the beneficiaries involved in the
income-generating projects such as organic farming are women who
were identified by their communities as widows or women who lost
their houses and assets.

For more information please contact:

Marianne Kearney

IOM Banda Aceh

Tel: +62 812 698 9308

E-mail: "mailto:mkearney@iom.int">mkearney@iom.int