Once
the initial aftermath of destruction and trauma had subsided, Manulife
Indonesia began to offer financial relief for both policyholders and
staff/agents. Advertisements were run in the local papers to tell policyholders
and staff that Manulife was up and running and there to help. It even
launched a one-year premium holiday program to Acehnese policyholders,
which helped with financial pressures. The company also paid claims
submitted promptly, an achievement made possible by a simpler and faster
procedure it introduced in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy. Since
February 2005 Manulife Branch Office in Aceh has started its operation
again to serve its customers / policyholders and in April 2005 the Branch
has begun making claim payments.