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Australia Indonesia Partnership for Reconstruction and Development

On 26 December 2004 an earthquake in the Indian Ocean triggered a series of tsunamis that became one of the worst natural disasters in human history.

Indonesia’s western-most provinces of Aceh and North Sumatra (including the island of Nias) were among the worst affected with an estimated 167,000 people killed and some 500,000 left homeless.

About 800 kilometres of coastline was destroyed and more than 3000 hectares of land was washed away or inundated by seawater.

Ports, roads, bridges, thousands of schools, health facilities and water sources were destroyed and people’s livelihoods were taken away.

Just a few months after the tsunami, Nias was also struck by a massive earthquake on 28 March 2005. 

Within days of the tsunami, Australia announced a $1 billion five-year Australia Indonesia Partnership for Reconstruction and Development (AIPRD).

The AIPRD, jointly managed by both the Australian and Indonesian governments, included $500 million in grants and $500 million in loans to support Indonesia’s reconstruction and development efforts both in and beyond tsunami-affected areas.

Of this $1 billion, more than $250 million was committed to the emergency and reconstruction effort in Aceh and Nias.

The reconstruction effort was largely completed by 2008. Communities have been restored through assistance with the reconstruction of houses, schools and health clinics.

Roads and bridges have been repaired and people have been able to return to work to earn their livelihoods and support their families.

Australia is also providing longer-term support to build local capacity in emergency preparedness.

AIPRD Achievements in Aceh and Nias

Across Indonesia, the Australia Indonesia Basic Education Program has built or expanded 2075 junior secondary schools.

Farmers are being supported to increase productivity and market their produce and Australia is working with government ministries to improve its public sector management.

Six hundred masters scholarships were provided across a range of disciplines for Indonesians to study in Australia.

All funds within AIPRD have been allocated and as of 10 May 2011, $496 million in grants and $311.3 million in loans has been disbursed.

The AIPRD has proven a successful model for development cooperation and is highly regarded by the Indonesian Government and local communities.

It has helped pave the way for a strengthened five-year development partnership between Australia and Indonesia, working together to help tackle poverty and promote regional peace, stability and prosperity.

Achievements more broadly under AIPRD

 

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Last reviewed: 17 November, 2011

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