MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
Indonesians rebuilding their communities will gain crucial new meeting places in the latest project announced as part of Australia's response to the tsunami in Indonesia.
The $3 million project in the devastated Indonesian province of Aceh will fund the construction of village halls and local government offices servicing village communities. This will give decision-makers a multi-purpose facility and meeting place to help with tasks such as consulting with villagers, issuing identity cards, village planning and providing building approvals.
Rebuilding the village halls is a vital step forward in re-establishing the community infrastructure in Aceh and restoring local governance after the tragedy of the Boxing Day earthquake and tsunami.
In many of these communities the infrastructure and local government capacity has been decimated. The village halls form the hub of the community and their reconstruction will help to restore the social fabric by enabling local governments to deliver services and assist people rebuild their homes and their lives.
Village and sub-district officials have an enormous task ahead of them and this project will help to empower villagers to take charge of their own recovery.
Construction of the village halls will begin immediately to accelerate the rebuilding of Aceh province, with engineers funded by the Australian Government working alongside local communities to provide technical advice and supervision.
Australia will initially fund the construction of 66 village halls in the most devastated areas of Aceh Besar, as well as office accommodation in six sub-districts.
Media inquiries:
Chris Kenny (Mr Downer's office) 0419 206 890
AusAID (Public Affairs) 0417 680 590