VIVAnews - The Australian government has prepared about A$458.7 million (approximately Rp 3.8 trillion) to assist Indonesia in twelve-month development. The fund will be effective by July 2010.
The announcement was made by the Australian Embassy in Jakarta. The allocation demonstrates how the Australian government perceives the Indonesia-Australia partnership, two countries that collaborate in alleviating poverty and achieving prosperity, stability and peace.
The fund is also part of the five-year assistance package. “Australia is fulfilling its commitment to provide up to A$2.5 billion for Indonesia for five years until June 2013,” the Embassy’s statement reads.
Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Bill Farmer said Indonesia remains to be the biggest recipient of Australian international financial assistance, including grants.
“Australia’s latest budgeting commitment is to maintain the focus on practical development outcome and encourage faster growth in order to achieve the Purposes of Millennium Development and pay greater attention to vulnerable groups,” Farmer says.
The budget is the continuation of Australia’s support in education, health, village development and the International Forest Carbon Initiative. Increasing Australian scholarship programs will lessen the gap in human resources and support the relationship of the two countries.
Raising the health funds will also help Indonesia intensify health service procurement system and reduce the number of women dying during pregnancy and delivery, especially in the eastern areas of Indonesia.
Meanwhile, sustainable funding for village development will assist Indonesia in achieving food security, especially in the poorest provinces. In education, Australia’s constant aid will support Indonesia in establishing effective and inclusive school system.
The country will also continuously support climate change management through the International Forest Carbon Initiative, working together with the Indonesian government to cut back greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation.
The funds will complete the Sumatra Forest Carbon Partnership and contribute to the ongoing Kalimantan Forest and Climate Partnership.
--
Translated by: Nataya Ermanti
