The Australian and US governments will contribute a total of US$9.6 million for the reconstruction of schools in West Sumatra, which was rattled by an earthquake last year.
AusAid (Australian Government Overseas Aid Program) will contribute $4.6 million and AusAid (the US Agency for International Development) will donate a total of $5 million. A 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of West Sumatra in 2009, destroying 150,000 buildings, including schools.
The construction of new schools will meet Indonesian earthquake standards and be undertaken by local communities using local building material. "No building is 100 percent earthquake resistant, but we can reduce the impact and save lives by building safer schools," Bill Farmer, Australia's Ambassador to Indonesia, said Friday.
Burhasman, head of the West Sumatra Education Agency, said that "the fund will not only be used to build state schools, but also Islamic schools.
"However, we do not know how many schools will be built in total,"
The reconstruction will focus on the schools that were most severely damaged in the province. He said that students who lost their schools would have a place to study again.
Burhasman added that there were 1,078 schools damaged by the earthquake. He also said that the government had estimated the damage on the basis of how many classrooms were lost.
3,149 classrooms have been severely damaged, 1,265 moderately damaged and 1,298 with minor damage."
The reconstruction will begin after the debris is cleared. "The local government is ready to undertake the clearing process," he said. "It is the responsibility of the local government."
Burhasman also said that the disbursement of funds would start this May. "The government aims to finish the reconstruction of West Sumatra by 2011," he said.
Support for West Sumatra has been provided from many parties since the earthquake.
In early April, the National Education Ministry supplied Rp 39.8 billion rupiah ($4.4 million) to support the education of children in West Sumatra after the earthquake. "With the support from USAID and AusAid, the reconstruction recovery can be accelerated," Burhasman said.
The reconstruction of buildings will be community-based using local material and will be under the supervision of qualified engineers.
"School children will be provided a safe and modern environment for learning," Cameron Hume, the US Ambassador to Indonesia, said. "Our partnership with Indonesia has a strong focus on educational reform and development. This effort is in line with that aim."
Bill Farmer said that the Australia's contribution was part of its long-term cooperation to help Indonesia reach its education goals.
Australia is supporting the rebuilding of health clinics, and is providing assistance in trauma counseling and emergency relief for families affected by the earthquake. (map)
