Australian parliamentarians visit aid programs in Padang

An Australian parliamentary delegation is in Padang this week to view Australian Government-funded reconstruction efforts, following the 2009 earthquake, and aid programs in the region.

Australia committed nearly A$19 million to support emergency relief, recovery and reconstruction efforts in West Sumatera.

The delegation will view a school, SDN04 Kajai Elementary School in Kota Pariaman, reconstructed thanks to a program jointly-funded by Australia and America, and a health care centre, Puskesmas Pauh Kambar, reconstructed with Australian Government funding.

Houses re-built or retrofitted to earthquake safe specifications, through Australia’s Resilient Villages: Safe Earthquake Housing Project, will be visited, with parliamentarians able to meet local builders who have received training on construction methods.

Australia’s expansive water and sanitation program is in operation in the Padang area. In the nearby village of Keluruhan Bungo Paso, the delegation will meet families who have had drinking water connections placed in their homes thanks to Australia’s support.

The delegation will also meet with the Governor of West Sumatera, Mr Irwan Prayitno, and the head of Indonesia’s national disaster management agency (known as BNPB), Mr Syamsul Maarif.

This visit to Padang is part of a parliamentary study tour to Indonesia.

Delegation members:

The Hon Alan Griffin MP
Senator Hon Richard Colbeck
Senator Ursula Stephens
Mr Rowan Ramsey MP

Media inquiries:
Clare Price, Public Affairs, AusAID Indonesia, 08111 872 365