On top of that, field conditions following the total destruction by the tsunami posed a massive challenge. The availability of the materials and construction equipment such as cement, asphalt, and heavy machinery was terribly limited. Just as important, the atmosphere had yet to reach a psychologically safe and conducive state, thus slowing down the rehabilitation and reconstruction movement in infrastructure.

Another barrier was the work force to build the infrastructure. This problem presented a whole new challenge. Post‑tsunami, most of the labor force available in Aceh was experiencing problems of a social nature. Besides being limited in number, most local workers were still traumatized by the tsunami as many of them had lost their families and belongings. Meanwhile, bringing in labor from outside was difficult as at the lower levels, a certain amount of resistance was evident from the local work force. At the same time, the need for an extensive number of workers in Banda Aceh continued to increase as the private sector simultaneously began to construct houses, shops and other buildings.