West Sumatran schools and health services rebuilt with Australia’s help

Thousands of people in West Sumatra will enjoy restored access to safe education and health care facilities thanks to Australia’s development assistance.

Australia’s Ambassador to Indonesia Mr. Greg Moriarty, alongside the United States Ambassador to Indonesia Mr. Scot Marciel, attended the official reopening of the SDN Kajai 2 Elementary School in Kota Pariaman. This opening marks the completion of the Australia/America jointly-funded West Sumatra School Reconstruction Project.

Ambassador Moriarty also officially opened a health centre in nearby Pauh Kambar. Like the school, the health centre was reconstructed using Australian Government funds following the devastating September 2009 earthquake.

Following the earthquake, the Australian Government committed almost A$19 million to West Sumatra. A$4 million towards supporting humanitarian relief efforts and a further $15 million towards recovery and reconstruction efforts.

“Working together, our three governments have allowed local communities to rebuild 39 schools. This program has provided a safe return to formal education for approximately 6,500 Indonesian children,” said Ambassador Moriarty.

Eight health centres in West Sumatra were rebuilt with a grant from the Australian Government. Each health centre is also being equipped with a new ambulance.

“In the district of Pauh Kambar, more than 26,000 people will be able to benefit from this health centre. Approximately 2000 people will be able to access health care through this health centre every month,” said Ambassador Moriarty.

During his visit, the Australian Ambassador also met with the Governor of West Sumatra, Mr Irwan Prayitno, to congratulate him on the reconstruction effort and to show Australia’s long-term support for West Sumatra.

Both the school and the health centre were built to rigorous earthquake-safe building specifications to reduce the impact of future earthquakes and to save lives.

Ambassador Moriarty viewed emergency response simulations at the school and health centre, where teachers, students and health centre workers have received disaster risk reduction and response training.

Media enquiries:
Mia Salim, Public Affairs, AusAID Indonesia, 08121070237