Indonesian and Australian Joint Commission Ministers today announced $63 million of additional development assistance to Indonesia, including $30 million to meet ongoing rebuilding needs in Yogyakarta following the recent earthquake.
The 27 May earthquake had a devastating impact on Yogyakarta and surrounding areas in Central Java, especially the districts of Bantul and Klaten. The death toll is now around 5,800, tens of thousands more have been injured and hundreds of thousands left homeless.
The $30 million Yogyakarta Reconstruction Program will support immediate repair and construction works, especially in the worst affected districts of Bantul and Klaten. This assistance will help restore and rebuild schools, health facilities and housing, as well as assisting people in re-establishing livelihoods.
Australia will also provide an additional $33 million to assist continuing reconstruction work in Aceh and Nias. This will include $10 million to establish a Nias Reconstruction Program to help communities rebuild their lives and construct vital community infrastructure such as roads and schools. An additional $23 million will be provided through the Aceh Reconstruction Program to meet ongoing priority housing and spatial planning needs.
Joint Commission Ministers also noted the strong progress and concrete achievements being delivered under the Australia Indonesia Partnership as outlined in the 2005-06 Report to the Joint Commission released today.
Joint Commission Ministers confirmed that with these new funding announcements all funds pledged under the $1 billion Australia Indonesia Partnership for Reconstruction and Development (AIPRD) had now been committed.
Australia's total Official Development Assistance to Indonesia is expected be in excess of $2 billion over five years, reinforcing Indonesia's position as one of Australia's most important bilateral development partners in the Asia Pacific region.
Media inquiries: Tony Parkinson
(Mr Downer's Office) 0409 536 410
Renae Stoikos (Mr Costello's Office) 0418568434
Jenny Da Rin (in Bali) -2 hours AEST 0812 100963