Australia’s support to alleviate poverty in West Nusa Tenggara

Australia’s support to alleviate poverty in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) is further demonstrated today by visiting Deputy Director General of the Australian Government’s aid program (AusAID), Mr James Batley.

Mr Batley will visit three village projects supported by Indonesia’s National Community Empowerment Program (PNPM) in West and Central Lombok and meet with villagers who are benefiting from the program.

Australia has committed A$215 million over five years to PNPM, supporting the Indonesian Government’s effort to lift its people out of poverty. In NTB province, Australia is supporting improved access to health and education through the PNPM Generasi program, now operating in 48 sub-districts.

“Our support to PNPM Generasi will increase access to health and education for local communities, particularly children, so they can live healthy and productive lives,” Mr Batley said.

Mr Batley will also meet with students of a Junior Secondary School in Janapria that was constructed in 2009 under the Australia Indonesia Basic Education Program. The school was built by local communities, using local labour, equipment and materials and has disabled access with ramps and handrails.

“Australia’s support to education in NTB has made schooling more accessible for children in the community,” Mr Batley said.

Australia supported the building of 149 schools across the province, creating an estimated 26,000 school places and significantly increasing access to education.

Mr Batley also hosted a function for Indonesians in NTB who have benefited from Australian Government scholarships. Since 1998 Australia Award scholarships have been awarded to 110 people from NTB to build the workforce in the province and create strong people to people links between Australia and Indonesia.

Media enquiries:
Rendy Djauhari, AusAID Public Affairs, +62 811 190 4823