Archived Media Release
Australia Indonesia Partnership for Reconstruction & Development
3 July 2006
Australia moves more Acehnese into housing
Another 1650 people in Aceh will begin moving into high quality temporary housing today, bringing the total number of people re-housed with Australian assistance to 6000.
New residents will today begin moving into the recently completed transitional shelters sites at Cot Cut, Aceh Besar and Lhong Raya, Banda Aceh. The occasion will be marked by community ceremonies and celebrations.
The Australian Government funded Australia Indonesia Partnership for Reconstruction and Development (AIPRD) is providing AUD $3 million for temporary housing and is employing more than 200 trades people from the local community. This compliments the additional AUD$7 million for housing announced by Australia’s Foreign Minister, Mr Downer, and Treasurer, Mr Costello, following an AIPRD Joint Ministerial Forum in Bali last week.
AIPRD temporary housing teams have worked closely over the last 8 months with several NGOs and Red Cross communities including the Australian Red Cross to help address housing needs in Aceh.
Australia also provides much needed assistance to tsunami affected regions by assisting to re-establish land ownership, strengthen sub-district governments, and re-establish village level communities.
An extensive community land mapping activity has enabled communities to determine land boundaries for over 53,000 parcels of land in 172 villages. This process ensures the community can begin the process of reconstruction knowing that boundaries have been agreed.
Australia has allocated more than AUD$250 million for various relief and reconstruction activities in Aceh and North Sumatra, of which almost AUD$150 million has already been spent.
For further information contact:
Michael Wightman – +61 428 732 005
Mia Salim – +62 812 107 0237