ID :
85482
Wed, 10/21/2009 - 17:29
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/85482
The shortlink copeid
AUSSIE LONG-TERM ASSISTANCE FOR W SUMATRA TO FOCUS ON SCHOOL REBUILDING
Padang, Oct 21 (ANTARA) - Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said the long-term focus of Australia's assistance for quake-devastated West Sumatra would be on reconstruction of damaged school buildings.
"The focus of our assistance in the long run will be on the rebuilding of damaged schools, so children can study," Smith said when visiting Padang on Wednesday.
Smith came to Padang, among other things, to observe a sea water treatment plant set up by the Australian military on Jalan Samudera a week after the earthquake hit Padang on Wednesday (Sept 30).
The plant which produces drinkable water has helped many Padang City residents overcome their clean water water shortage problems.
Smith said, besides reconstructing school buildings the Australian government would also help restore damaged health facilities.
For the reconstruction of schools and health facilities, the Australian government would allocate some 10 million to 12 million Australian dollars.
Earlier, in the emergency response, Australia had allocated funds for emergency needs amounting to 4 million Australian dollars.
Australia and Indonesia had cooperated before for the reconstruction of school buildings damaged in natural disasters, Smith said.
"Last year, we rebuilt 1,000 schools in South Sulawesi, from the 2,000 schools built in Indonesia. So, Australia-Indonesia already have experience in education cooperation," he said.
Meanwhile , West Sumatra Vice Governor Prof.Dr. Marlis Rahman said the Australian government was expected to continue the clean water treatment program because it was still needed by Padang residents.
The Australian government set up two water-processing machines (water bladders) in Padang, one on Jalan Samudera road and the other at Ulakkarang. Based on the plan, the water processing activities in Ulakkarang would end on s Wednesday, while those on Jalan Samudera Road would end on October 23.
"We hope that the program will be continued because the Padang Regional Water Company (PDAM) needs time to repair its water distribution network," said Marlis.
The vice governor expressed gratitude to Smith for Australia's fast action to help West Sumatra earthquake victims.
An earthquake measuring 7.9 on the Richter Scale (SR) hit West Sumatra on Wednesday (Sept 30). The earthquake killed more than a thousand West Sumatra residents , damaged hundreds of thousands of buildings , clean water distribution networks, and various other public facilities.
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"The focus of our assistance in the long run will be on the rebuilding of damaged schools, so children can study," Smith said when visiting Padang on Wednesday.
Smith came to Padang, among other things, to observe a sea water treatment plant set up by the Australian military on Jalan Samudera a week after the earthquake hit Padang on Wednesday (Sept 30).
The plant which produces drinkable water has helped many Padang City residents overcome their clean water water shortage problems.
Smith said, besides reconstructing school buildings the Australian government would also help restore damaged health facilities.
For the reconstruction of schools and health facilities, the Australian government would allocate some 10 million to 12 million Australian dollars.
Earlier, in the emergency response, Australia had allocated funds for emergency needs amounting to 4 million Australian dollars.
Australia and Indonesia had cooperated before for the reconstruction of school buildings damaged in natural disasters, Smith said.
"Last year, we rebuilt 1,000 schools in South Sulawesi, from the 2,000 schools built in Indonesia. So, Australia-Indonesia already have experience in education cooperation," he said.
Meanwhile , West Sumatra Vice Governor Prof.Dr. Marlis Rahman said the Australian government was expected to continue the clean water treatment program because it was still needed by Padang residents.
The Australian government set up two water-processing machines (water bladders) in Padang, one on Jalan Samudera road and the other at Ulakkarang. Based on the plan, the water processing activities in Ulakkarang would end on s Wednesday, while those on Jalan Samudera Road would end on October 23.
"We hope that the program will be continued because the Padang Regional Water Company (PDAM) needs time to repair its water distribution network," said Marlis.
The vice governor expressed gratitude to Smith for Australia's fast action to help West Sumatra earthquake victims.
An earthquake measuring 7.9 on the Richter Scale (SR) hit West Sumatra on Wednesday (Sept 30). The earthquake killed more than a thousand West Sumatra residents , damaged hundreds of thousands of buildings , clean water distribution networks, and various other public facilities.
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