Archived Media Release
1 September 2006
Australia provides 22 Billion Rupiah for disaster preparedness and management in Sumatra
Today the Australian Ambassador, Mr Bill Farmer AO, announced a 3-year, 22 billion Rupiah disaster preparedness and management project for the Mentawai Islands and Nias.
This is part of Australia’s 68 billion rupiah package to develop Indonesia’s systems for preparing for and responding to natural disasters. Over 27 billion rupiah is for strengthening disaster management partnerships between Australian and Indonesian government agencies. The remaining 41 billion rupiah is to strengthen the disaster response capabilities of NGOs.
“Australia is working closely with the Indonesian Government to build its capacity to respond quickly and effectively to natural disasters. We also are building disaster awareness and preparedness in local communities,” said Mr Farmer.
“The Mentawai and Nias island groups are highly vulnerable to earthquakes and tsunamis. This project will help local communities prepare for and better respond to any future disasters”, said Mr Farmer.
The program, funded by Australia’s international aid agency, AusAID, will be implemented by SurfAid, an international NGO with extensive experience working with remote communities in the islands off the West coast of Sumatra.
The project will work in 22 villages in the Mentawai Islands in West Sumatra province and 33 villages in Nias, North Sumatra province.
“We are very pleased to be working with SurfAid on this project, as they have long-established relationships with communities in Nias and the Mentawais. They were an important partner with us when helping these areas after the tsunami in 2004 and the Nias earthquake in 2005,” said Mr Farmer.
The program includes community-based disaster preparedness and response practices, as well as strategies to reduce the risks of disaster and lessen their impact.
Australia is also working with Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah, two of Indonesia’s largest Islamic organizations, on disaster preparedness and management programs.
“By teaching the communities about disasters and how they can prepare themselves, we will minimise the often devastating impact of earthquakes, tsunamis and other natural disasters,” said Mr Farmer.
Further information:
Eko (AusAID) - 0811 924536
Mubarok (0811993306)