BI donates Rp 1.7b to post-quake reconstruction of private schools in West Sumatra

The Jakarta Post | Wed, 01/27/2010 10:52 AM

Bank Indonesia's branch in Padang, West Sumatra, has donated Rp 1.7 billion (US$182,000) to the reconstruction of private schools in the province, which was hit by a 7.9-magnitude earthquake in September last year.

“We donated to private schools because the government has been prioritizing [the reconstruction of] state schools, while many private schools were also damaged,” said Apep M. Komarna, a BI official at the branch, as quoted by tempointeraktif.com.

The central bank branch will distribute the aid to a total of 62 schools in Agam, Pesisir Selatan, Pasaman Barat, Pariaman, Padang Pariaman and Padang regencies.

The powerful quake devastated much of West Sumatra on Sept. 30, 2009, killing at least 1,117 people and destroying more than 114,000 houses.