Java Reconstruction Fund enters final phase

Java Reconstruction Fund (JRF) has reached the final phase of reconstructing earthquake-hit areas in Central Java, Yogyakarta, and West Java in anticipation of finishing its project by end of next year.

The JRF said in a statement sent to The Jakarta Post that it had allocated about US$74 million for housing reconstruction and rehabilitation as well as infrastructure, and around US$15 million for community-based livelihood recovery in calamity-hit areas.

“JRF has given a positive lesson for us in handling catastrophes and restoring disaster-hit areas by implementing a participative approach with local people.

“For example, it has successfully implemented the local philosophy of gotong royong (working together), in rebuilding housing areas,” Max Hasudungan Pohan, the National Development Planning Agency deputy for regional development said Tuesday during the project’s report launch in Semarang, West Java.

As of this year, the JRF and the Public Works Ministry have built 15,000 earthquake-proof houses in 270 villages in Central Java, Yogyakarta, and West Java.