EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
MEETING VITAL NEEDS
Activities in 2006 reflected the successful and appropriate transition from relief to recovery and reconstruction. Specific interventions continued to help meet the needs of the most vulnerable: the temporary shelter plan of Action (TSPA) ensured all IDPs were able to move out of tents and into transitional housing by mid-2006, delivering more than 11,000 shelters under that programme. WFP continued support to combat micro-nutrient deficiencies, particularly among schoolchildren.
Housing reconstruction in 2006 made significant progress, but continues to face challenges. House construction, though slower than expected, has continued throughout 2006, with around 57,000 permanent houses complete in December 2006 supplemented by almost 15,000 temporary houses (including from TSPA), representing 50% of the overall housing reconstruction needs. However, delivery continues to expose weaknesses in alignment of spatial and infrastructure planning with construction, quality of construction and capacity of building contractors, and land titling. As was the case in 2005, 2006 has seen declining commitments to rebuild due to increased costs and unexpected delays, highlighting a pressing challenge to meet all identified permanent housing needs.
Between march and may 2006, BRR issued Housing and settlement Guidelines to deliver a housing and settlement programme that reflects and accommodates the specific needs and priorities of various beneficiary groups - including squatters and renters. settlement and connecting infrastructure has not always been provided along with housing, and has highlighted the need for more systematic and coordinated settlement development. the need for increased quality assurance and monitoring to ensure construction of durable permanent housing has also emerged.
Land availability and tenure, and efficient spatial planning are critical issues in the sustainable reconstruction and rehabilitation of Aceh and Nias, having direct implications on the capacity to deliver the development of infrastructure, restore livelihoods and reconstruct housing. Land titling and spatial planning processes have continued at steady pace through 2006 but have not accelerated as much as was hoped at the end of 2005 and greater intervention is required. The BRR and BPN joint land-titling policy is a strategically important initiative that has been developed to help ensure that men and women have equal rights in land ownership, and to promote equal access to the associated economic benefits. BRR will be working closely with BpN and local government to ensure the joint land-titling policy can be effectively implemented.