New Australian-Built Schools in Central Java

Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Bill Farmer, today officiated at the opening of 11 Government and five Muhammadiyah schools in Central Java that were rebuilt as part of the Australian Government’s Rp215 billion rehabilitation program following the 2006 earthquake.

Australia has been working with the Indonesian Government, Muslim organisations Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah, and local communities in the reconstruction of 29 schools in Yogyakarta and Central Java, 27 of which are now operational.

During his visit to Klaten, Farmer said he was pleased with the progress of reconstruction and the positive impact of the new school facilities on the local communities that had suffered so much damage and dislocation in the quake.

“It is inspiring to see how our joint efforts have been able to directly benefit the community here. Through this school reconstruction, we have provided 89 new classrooms catering for more than 3,300 students in Central Java and Yogyakarta,” Farmer said.

“In Central Java, Australia has adopted an integrated approach to disaster relief assisting people living in over 650 targeted communities,” Farmer said. “We have worked closely with communities, local and central government and local and foreign NGOs. We have provided tarpaulins, water and sanitation facilities, worked to rehabilitate livelihoods and rebuilt schools and health clinics.”

“We have now reached the final phase of our response to the earthquake. The District and Provincial Governments have asked us to focus on support for livelihoods, so we will now give more attention to that. In my view, our joint reconstruction effort in Central Java is another great example of what Australia and Indonesia can achieve in partnership,” Farmer said.
Australia’s program was the largest response by a bilateral donor to the earthquake, with total funding to areas affected of more than Rp250 billion. This includes the immediate contribution of Rp35 billion in emergency relief in the weeks following the disaster.
Total Australian aid to Indonesia this year will be worth Rp3.4 trillion (A$458 million), making Indonesia the largest recipient of Australian development assistance, which is focused mainly on education, health, governance and infrastructure.
A major feature is the 3-year Rp2.5 trillion (A$355 million) program under which Australia is renovating and building 2000 secondary schools across 19 provinces. This project aims to create 330,000 new places for SMP students in poor and remote areas by mid 2009, in support of the Indonesian Government’s goal of providing nine years of basic education for all children.

Further information:
Dian Lestari (Australian Government Yogyakarta – Central Java Community Assistance Program/ AusAID) 0811 256 703