MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Billson
Australia has trained more than 350 hospital staff in Aceh to restore the
delivery of health services to the local community, the Parliamentary Secretary
for Foreign Affairs Bruce Billson, announced today at the national launch of
the third Australian Government report into tsunami assistance.
'Although critical hospital services were devastated by the Boxing Day
tragedy, Australian funding has helped restore a health workforce to treat the
hundreds of Achenese who use the main hospital each day,' Mr Billson
said.
'Strengthened basic services such as health and education are assisting
the community recover and Australia is making a significant contribution to
health, education and community services in Aceh.
'The report, Australia's Response to the Indian Ocean
Tsunami, highlights the significant impact of Australian assistance to
re-establish the Zainoel Abidin Hospital, repair local schools, rebuild up to
180 village halls, re-open the city's port and re-establish title to 15,000
parcels of land,' Mr Billson said.
'Australian support has helped the community rebuild by giving families
access to daily health services, children opportunities to continue their
education and people a chance to meet and discuss reconstruction priorities in
community centres.
'Although rebuilding a city the size of Canberra takes time, significant
progress has also been made in Aceh to restore vital infrastructure and
re-establish property boundaries to accelerate housing
reconstruction,' Mr Billson said.
'More than $220 million has been committed to relief, rehabilitation and
reconstruction in Aceh and over $25 million to other affected South Asian
countries to 30 November.
'All Australians should be proud of the dedication and generosity shown
by so many Australians in contributing time and money to help those in need and
the Australian Government remains committed to assisting communities with
long-term programs for reconstruction and development,' Mr Billson said.
Mr Billson also welcomed the release of the Australian Council for
International Development's (ACFID) third progress report, which shows the
total value of private donations through ACFID member organisations stands at
more than $345 million.
Media contact:
Shane Fairlie (Mr Billson's office) 0408 680 442
AusAID (Public Affairs) 0417 680 590