Australian support for Aceh

Australia has today handed over important tools for managing and maintaining more than twenty thousand schools, hospitals and other public assets that have been built in Aceh since the 2004 tsunami.

Survey and mapping data, including the locations of roads, bridges and buildings, has been presented to the Provincial Government of Aceh in Banda Aceh.

Australia’s Ambassador to Indonesia, Bill Farmer, has welcomed the handover of equipment and data as an important step to ensure post-tsunami reconstruction continues to benefit the people of Aceh into the future.

“People from around the world have contributed billions of dollars in assistance to the reconstruction of Aceh. This Australian-funded initiative will support the Acehnese authorities to keep track of and maintain those assets,” Mr Farmer said.

The IDR 45 billion project combines on-the-ground asset surveys, satellite imagery and legal analysis to provide a comprehensive information and training package to the Provincial Governments of Aceh and Nias.

Australia has been working alongside the people of Aceh since 2004 and is committed to supporting longer-term peace and prosperity in the province.

Last year Australia’s Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, announced a IDR 450 billion commitment to Aceh’s continuing recovery to 2013.

Over the next five years Australia’s development assistance will help improve government services, education, livelihoods and community participation in decision-making in Aceh.

Media Enquiries:
Mia Salim, AusAID Public Affairs, (021) 2550 5490 / 08121070237
Sonya Neufeld, AusAID Public Affairs, (021) 2550 5609 / 08111872365