Freeport donates Rp 58b to human rights foundation

Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura, Fri, 03/02/2012

American mining giant PT Freeport Indonesia (PT FI) has donated Rp 58 billion (US$6.38 million) to the Timika-based Human Rights and Anti-Violence Foundation (Yahamak) to fund its programs.

Yosepha Alomang
(Kompas.com)

 “The donation will be disbursed in two stages: Rp 27 billion in 2012 and Rp 31 billion in 2013, as stipulated in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU),” PT FI vice president for social affairs, Demianus Dimara, said after the MoU signing in Jayapura, Papua, on Friday.

Yahamak’s founder, Yosepha Alomang, said the funds would be allocated for education, health and economic programs, as well as to enhance the capacity of the foundation’s management.

 Yahamak was established in 1999 by Yosepha, a human rights defender who received the Yap Thian Hien award in the same year, and the Goldman Prize in 2001.

 Yosepha said that Yahamak was born out of the struggles of local women living in the company’s working area.

 Responding to the numerous shooting incidents, which have recently occurred in the province, Yahamak vice director Arnold Romsumbre demanded the President take the matter seriously and to speedily arrest the perpetrators.

 “When someone is stabbed and killed in an attack with an arrow in Timika, we can easily identify the perpetrator’s clan from the arrow’s characteristics. But we can hardly identify it from a bullet,” Arnold said. (swd)

$1m grant up for grabs to develop multimedia

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Fri, 07/15/2011

Ford Foundation, in cooperation with Wikimedia Indonesia, ICT Watch and the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI), announced Friday that it would be awarding grants worth US$1 million (Rp 8.5 billion) to 30 people or organizations that come up with best practices in innovative ideas to improve media conditions in Indonesia.

“We want to improve Indonesian media through innovative and novel ideas,” Ford Foundation media program officer Heidi Arbuckle said at the program’s launch in South Jakarta on Friday.

Arbuckle said her foundation wanted to try a different way in handing grants.

She said that some foundations were not too open to the public during the selection of grant recipients.

The first selection will be held on Aug.1 to Sept.15, while the announcement of grant recipients will be made on Nov.7.

More information can be found at www.ciptamedia.org. (drs)

Dutch to help build dikes in Indonesia

RNW, 6 July 2011

The Netherlands is to help with plans for a 36-kilometer dike around the Indonesian coastal city of Jakarta to protect the city from flooding.

Deputy Foreign Minister Ben Knapen has set aside 4 million euros in development aid for the project and two Dutch experts will be sent to help develop the plans. The dike will be build two kilometres into the sea so that land can be reclaimed for urban development.

“This investment in a master plan to protect Jakarta from the sea is a good example of the new development policy in which Dutch knowledge and skills can made a difference,” says Deputy Minister Knapen.

Jakarta is regularly hit by flooding. In 2007 large parts of the city were inundated by several meters of water. At least 18 people drowned and around 300,000 people become homeless. The economic damage was huge; the airport had to be closed as a result. Pumps have been installed as a short term solution and the road to the airport has been raised.

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Dutch govt to extend grant program for Indonesia

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Tue, 07/05/2011

The Dutch government will continue to provide a grant program for Indonesia when the current grant package ends this year, a visiting Dutch minister said Monday.

The Dutch State Secretary for the European Union and Development Cooperation, Ben Knapen, said in Jakarta on Monday that the next three-year grant program, which would begin next year and last until 2015, would cover economic and social sectors such as sustainable trade, water infrastructure development, reforestation and higher education, capacity building, especially in the legal field.

Knapen said the Netherlands had not decided yet how much money would be involved should grants be involved in the cooperation.

“However, if you look at past experiences of the bilateral relationship between Indonesia and the Netherlands, some 53 million euros [US$77 million] is involved on a yearly basis,” Knapen said.

Knapen said that previous cooperation agreements with Indonesia had been done mostly through multilateral organizations, such as the World Bank and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

“We are planning to gradually change that into a direct cooperation, country-to-country,” Knapen told reporters at a press conference at the National Development Planning Board (Bappenas) office in Menteng, Central Jakarta.

According to Knapen, in the coming years, the Netherlands intends to intensify its cooperation with Indonesia in the areas where the Indonesian people really need it and at the same time the Netherlands can provide them.

“For us, it’s very important that we invest in a way that creates pockets of economic growth,” he said.

According to Knapen, one of the priorities in the cooperation will be in the field of water infrastructure development. “We see a demand for water infrastructure in Indonesia,” he said.

“We have a long history of trying to keep our feet dry as half of our country is below sea level. We feel familiar with this issue and maybe we can bring something to the table,” he added.

Bappenas head and National Development Planning Minister Armida Alisjahbana, also speaking at the press conference, said that Knapen was referring to a plan by the Indonesian government and the Jakarta administration to develop a dike system, similar to that in the Netherlands, in the Jakarta Bay to prevent seawater from the Java Sea from flooding North Jakarta.

“One goal of the cooperation would be for a dike system on Jakarta’s coastline,” Armida said, adding that she believed the Netherlands would be a perfect partner in developing a dike system in Jakarta as the country already had its own dike system, which had been proven to be very effective at preventing flooding.

Armida said that several ongoing cooperation programs with the Netherlands that had been in place for years would also be continued, including in the provision of the Nuffic Neso higher education scholarship programs, as well as in the fields of law and good governance.

“The bilateral cooperation in law was based on the fact that Indonesia has so many laws that were inherited from the Dutch colonial era,” Armida said.

“We have some common heritage when it comes to law, rules, and regulations,” Knapen said. “I believe we can help each other in making progress on this issue.” (mim)

U.S. donates patrol boats to RI national police

Antara News, Fri, June 3 2011

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The U.S. Departments of Justice and State recently delivered two boats to the Indonesian National Police as part of the Indonesia Maritime Security Project (MARSEC), The U.S. Embassy here said in its official website on Friday.

The two boats increase to 19 the total number of boats provided to Indonesia as part of the MARSEC program. The patrol boats are deployed throughout the archipelago to assist Indonesia in securing vital maritime borders, sea lanes, natural resources, and ports.

In the first year of operation, the U.S.-provided boats seized over $10 million USD in contraband and continue to be an integral and effective component of Indonesia`s maritime security efforts.

Currently, the patrol boats are deployed in Batam-Riau, Sumatra; Bangka Island Straits, Balikpapan; Tarakan, Kalimantan; Bitung, North Sulawesi; Sorong, Papua; and Ternate-Sofia, North Maluku.

The United States Department of Justice International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program`s (ICITAP) mission in Indonesia is to support the development of the operational and organizational capacity and competencies of the Government of Indonesia`s law enforcement agencies.

ICITAP is funded by the U. S. Department of State`s Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) and provides organizational development interventions, technical assistance, training, and equipment donations to augment Indonesia`s law enforcement efforts.

ICITAP support helps the Indonesian National Police continue its transition to a professional democratic law enforcement organization utilizing internationally accepted law enforcement standards and practices.

Editor: Jafar M Sidik

Australia increases development assistance to Indonesia

Antara News, Wed, May 11 2011

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Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Australian Government will increase its development assistance to Indonesia from Rp923 billion in 2010-2011 to Rp5.15 trillion for the 2011-2012 period.

"The increase in aid funding demonstrates Australia`s long-term commitment to reducing poverty and achieving sustainable development in Indonesia,"Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Greg Moriarty said in press release here Wednesday.

Ambassador Moriarty said that the Australian aid program will focus on alleviating poverty through social protection programs, supporting governance reforms, and improving poor people`s access to health, education, transportation, clean water and sanitation facilities.

Australia will support Indonesia achieve its goal of giving every Indonesian child good basic education.

The aid will improve education for more than 500,000 Indonesian children by building schools and improving the quality of their education, including for those with disabilities and children in poor and remote areas.

"Australia recognizes that sustainable and equitable economic growth in Indonesia can improve livelihoods, create job opportunities and raise household income. This is why we will increase our commitment to Indonesia by improving access to essential infrastructure services such as water, sanitation and transportation," he said.

Moriarty said that Australia has strong connections with the people and communities in Indonesia, and will continue providing assistance in the wake of emergencies and disasters, as well as help promote sustainable growth.

Today`s announcement reaffirms Australia`s ongoing commitment to scale up its development assistance program to 0.5 percent of the Gross National Income in 2015 and 2016.

The Australian Government remains committed to ensuring that every dollar spent on aid in Indonesia has the maximum impact on poverty eradication and economic development.

Editor: Aditia Maruli

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Indonesian tycoon donates $1m to U.C. Berkeley

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Wed, 04/27/2011

The owner of Mayapada group and one of Indonesia's most renowned tycoons, Tahir, has recently donated US$ 1 million to the University of California, Berkeley.

Receiving the donation was the university chancellor, Robert J Birgeneau.

Tahir said the donation was expected to be used to assist Indonesian students currently studying at Berkeley who were facing financial problems.

“With this fund, I hope I can do something to help our students to continue their studies at Berkeley,” Tahir said Wednesday.

He added that it was his duty as a member of the university’s board of trustees to make the donation.

“In fact, I am the only Asian on the board now,” he said.

When asked about how many Indonesian students might benefit from the funds, Tahir said he had no idea, adding that the technical details of its provision had been left to the university management.

Australian government helps Banjarmasin`s sanitation

Antara News, Wed, April 6 2011

Banjarmasin, S.Kalimantan (ANTARA News) - The Australian government provides a grant to the Banjarmasin city administration for its sanitation program, Banjarmasin mayor, Muhidin said here, Tuesday.

The Australian government sent a team for the initial grant, the mayor said.

After an inspection of the work of the first grant, the second phase of the funds will be provided after the sanitation program had been completed by the Banjarmasin company of Waste Water Management Area (PD PAL).

With the Australian government grant of Rp10 billion, the Banjarmasin city administration is very helpful in implementing the community sanitation program.

Therefore, it is expected that in the future Banjarmasin city will be an area with a good sanitation system and supported by the community.

In addition, the Banjarmasin city administration will also formulate laws on sanitary affairs that would require every building owner to have a standard sanitation system, Muhidin noted.

Meanwhile, the director of PD PAL Banjarmasin, Muh.Muhidin plans to call the city of thousand rivers, free from waste.

The target is expected to be realized in 2028.

Currently, waste in Banjarmasin is very alarming and it is estimated that more than 70 percent of the population do not manage their waste appropriately, Muh.Muhidin noted.

Therefore, PD PAL Banjarmasin as waste water management company intends to direct the local people to carry out a good and perfect waste management system especially in household waste.

Currently, the existing waste management system in Banjarmasin city in general is a local system consisting of family latrines or toilets with septic tanks.

As an effort to improve the environmental condition and the public`s health, the Banjarmasin city administration plans to build a centralized sanitary system, Muh.Muhidin said.

Editor: Aditia Maruli

RI sending mitigation team, US$2 million in aid to Japan

Antara News, Wed, March 16 2011

Marty also said Indonesia was also helped by Japan every time it was hit by a natural disaster and it was very reasonable and appropriate if on this occasion Indonesia assisted Japan in its time of need.

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Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian government is sending a disaster mitigation team and two million US dollars in aid to help Japan recover from its recent disaster, Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said.

Speaking at a press conference with Japan`s Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Makiko Kikuta at the Foreign Affairs Ministry here Wednesday, Marty said the 11-member disaster mitigation team would depart on Thursday, March 17, 2010.

Along with the disaster mitigation team, the Indonesian government would send funds for disaster aid amounting to two million US dollars.

"Besides sending a disaster mitigation team that is to be dispatched tomorrow (Thursday, March 17) consisting of approximately 11 people from Indonesia, the Indonesian government has also decided to provide a two million US dollar donation or contribution to the Japanese people and government," said Marty.

Marty also said Indonesia was also helped by Japan every time it was hit by a natural disaster and it was very reasonable and appropriate if on this occasion Indonesia assisted Japan in its time of need.

"In situations like this where an extraordinary natural disaster has occurred, we must not think as a country only but also as one humanitarian act that move together hand in hand in cooperation to assist the revival of the Japanese people," said Marty.

The arrival of Japan`s Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Makiko Kikuta to Indonesia is to co-chair with Indonesia in the ASEAN Regional Forum Disaster Relief (ARF DiREx) which opened on Wednesday in Manado, North Sulawesi, and the "Priority Metropolitan Area" event, Kikuto is determined to make a success out of these two activities.

"In this visit I also met with Indonesian Vice President Boediono and a number of ministers who expressed their concerns and condolences for what happened in Japan," said Kikuta.

According to Kikuta, the Government of Japan highly appreciated Indonesian attitude in providing concrete assistance in the current Japanese situation where the situation is still chaotic after being hit by a 9-magnitude earthquake and tsunami.

The disaster is reported to cost almost 1000 casualties and about 2000 people are stated missing.

Until now the Indonesian government through its Embassy in Tokyo also had to deploy evacuation team for the citizens and to assist the Japanese government in overcoming the impact of natural disasters.

"I appreciate a lot for Indonesian support and assistance. Indonesia has managed to rise from some natural disaster that passed earlier, and then the people of Japan are also sure to rise again after this disaster," said Kikuta.

Editor: Heru

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Japan grants rp1.8 billion for environmental project

Antara News, Thu, March 10 2011 

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Japanese embassy in Jakarta had given aid worth not less than 19.2 million yen (Rp1.8 billion) for two "Jakarta, Clean & Safe!" projects to enable the capital city to have a better environment.

The assistance was handed over by Ambassador Kojiro Shiojiri during the signing of a contract at the Japanese embassy in Jakarta on Wednesday.

"The Japanese government has given the grant for two environmental projects for Jakarta to the Nahdlatul Ulama disaster and climate change mitigation institute and the Community Foundation for Sustainable Peace and Welfare," a press release received by ANTARA said.

The first project is a technological promotion on waste disposal in West Jakarta and the second project is to increase the ability of waste collection and separation in the last waste disposal location in Bekasi, the release said.

"The first assistance covers equipment to increase waste processing at the existing compost facility and the dissemination of information from waste processing information and compost facilities to the people," the release said.

"The second assistance is the supply of equipment needed for the waste selection process efficiently in Bekasi," he said.

Editor: B Kunto Wibisono

Australian government supports clean water program

Antara News, Wed, February 23 2011

"This will help improve their health, quality of life and economic potential."

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Australia government supported clean water access program for about 2,000 households in Serang, Banten.

(FOTO ANTARA/Sahrul Manda Tikupadang)

"More than 100,000 people in Serang now have easier and cheaper access to clean water. This will help improve their health, quality of life and economic potential," AusAID Infrastructure Counselor Ben Power said in a press release received here, Wednesday.

Serang is one of 35 Indonesian districts that have received grants to install new water connections. Australia is working closely with the Indonesian Government to administer this program.

"Australia is proud to be working with Indonesia to improve access to clean water and is committed to helping Indonesia reach its goal of halving the amount of people living without access to clean drinking water," said Power.

The grant is part of Australia`s 25 million Australian dollars commitment to Indonesia to increase piped water in poor urban communities, and to increase the number of households with sewerage connections.

This support will give about 60,000 households across Indonesia new connections to piped water and up to 10,000 household`s sewerage connections.

A further 400,000 Indonesians will have access to cleaner water and better sanitation as a result of the Grant Water program.

Furthermore several cities and districts in Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, West Nusa Tenggara and Sulawesi will also received benefit from this new water and sanitation initiative.

As well as this grant program, Australia is helping local governments manage community water supply and sanitation utilities to ensure the sustainability of this development.

Editor: Priyambodo

Indonesia to build cardiac center in Palestine

Antara News, Tue, February 08 2011

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Ministry of Health is building a cardiac center at Al Shifa hospital in Palestine, at a cost of Rp20 billion.

"Heart disease is most prevalent in the area, so is in eye diseases, but we chose a cardiac center because it is more life saving," Health Minister Endang Rahayu said after signing an MoU here Monday.

The MoU was signed by Health Ministry`s Secretary General Ratna Rosita and President of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) Ahmed Mohamed Ali in Jakarta Monday afternoon in the presence of the health minister.

The Indonesian Cardiac Center will be built on 1,500 square meters of floor space of the five floors of Al Shifa hospital in Northern Gaza, Palestine.

It will take eight years to build the center with a grant from the Indonesian government, including the medical equipment.

The medical facility is built under an Indonesian government`s commitment to provide humanitarian assistance for the people and government of Palestine as declared in the 2009 OKI meeting for the Reconstruction of Palestine in Sharm el Sheik, Egypt.

In the meantime the IDB became a partner in building the project.

IDB is committed to provide 8 million US dollars for the Indonesian Cardiac Center.

Upon completion of the project, the health minister will grant to the Palestinian government, which will be followed by an exchange in science and health personnel.

"The Palestinian government will not block the access of Indonesian volunteers," the health minister said.

Editor: B Kunto Wibisono

Hungarian parliamentary delegation visits Yogyakarta

Antara News, Sat, February 05 2011 10:20

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - A Hungarian parliamentary delegation in their visit to Indonesia from February 3 to 8, went to Yogyakarta where among others they met with Mt Merapi victims.

In the visit to Yogyakarta on Friday the Hungarian parliamentarians were in the company of the Hungarian-Indonesia Parliamentary Bilateral Cooperation Group chairman Sucipto.

The Hungarian parliamentarians led by Laszlo Kover, will be flanked by Hungarian ambassador to Indonesia Szlivester Bus.

They will meet Yogyakarta Governor Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X and later in the afternoon visit a silver handicraft center in Kotagede, and in the evening meet with Yogyakarta Deputy Governor Paku Alam IX, also to be attended by Sleman Regent H Sri Purnomo, who was scheduled to receive aid from the Hungarian guests.

The aid included rice, noodle, frying oil, canned meat and fish, in addition to school equipment.

On Saturday the Hungarian parliamentary delegation will visit the Borobudur Buddhist temple, the living quarters of evacuees, and visited the emergency school where the guests donated school equipment.

Later in the evening the Hungarian guests will be entertained at a Ramayana dance show at Prambanan temple.

On the third day before leaving for Jakarta, the guests will visit the Yogyakarta Palace, Taman Sari park, a batik handicraft and leather puppet center.

On Sunday the Hungarian guests were scheduled to meet President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, and later meet with Economic Coordinating Minister Hatta Rajasa.

In the afternoon they will meet House Speaker Marzuki Alie and Chairman of the People`s Representatives Assembly (DPD) Irman Gusman.

On the last day of their Indonesian visit on Tuesday they will meet People`s Consultative Assembly (MPR) chairman Taufik Kiemas, followed by a visit to the Cathedral, Istiqlal Mosque, and the National Museum.

Editor: Bambang

Indonesia Donates $1 Million for Australia Flood Relief

The Jakarta Globe, Nurfika Osman & AP | January 12, 2011

         

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Indonesia is donating $1 million to help the victims of the deadly floodwaters that have swept Queensland, Australia, Foreign Ministry spokesman Michael Tene told the Jakarta Globe on Wednesday.

An aerial view of partially submerged houses in flooded
 Rockhampton in Australia's state of Queensland. Indonesia
 has donated $1 million to Australia to help the flood victims.
 (Reuters Photo) 

"[Foreign] Minister Marty Natalegawa has contacted Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd this morning and the fund will be sent immediately," Michael said.

Regarding the condition of Indonesians in Brisbane, he said he has not received detailed information yet.

"But if others take refuge, I am sure they will do the same thing," he said.

Deadly floodwaters that have cut a swath across northeastern Australia flowed onto the streets of the nation's third-largest city Wednesday, forcing people to flee suburbs and skyscrapers as rescuers elsewhere searched for 67 people still missing.

Almost 20,000 homes in Brisbane were expected to be swamped in the city of about 2 million by the time the Brisbane River reaches its expected peak Thursday, Mayor Campbell Newman said.

The figures were constantly being revised as the threat became clearer and it was getting consistently worse.

At least 22 people have died in Australia's northeastern state of Queensland since drenching rains that began in November sent swollen rivers spilling over their banks, inundating an area larger than France and Germany combined.

Thailand donates US$100,000 for Mentawai tsunami victims

Antara News, Wednesday, December 1, 2010 16:59 WIB

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Thai government here Wednesday presented Indonesia with a cash donation of US$100,000 meant to help the victims of the tsunami that hit the Mentawai Islands, West Sumatra, last Oct 25.

According to a press release received here on Wednesday Thai Ambassador to Indonesia Thanatip Upatising symbolically handed over the funds to Indonesian Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Triyono Wibowo on Wednesday.

A two-meter tsunami triggered by a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck the islands off the western coast of Sumatra on October 25.

Recent research conducted by Indonesian and Japanese tsunami experts had concluded that the tsunami in Mentawai Islands had moved at a speed of 800 km per hour at sea.

"Based on the results of research conducted by tsunami experts from LIPI, Tokyo University and Hokkaido University, the tsunami at Maonai, Sabeuguggung, Purorougat, North Pagai, had moved at a speed of 800 kilometers per hour at sea and at 30-40 kilometers per hour after land fall ," an earthquake specialist of LIPI`s geotechnology division, , Eko Yulianto, said.

The tsunami surged over a distance of 100-250 meters inland , depending on the height of the tidal wave, he said.

"The height of the tidal wave that hit North Pagai was around six to seven meters," he said.

The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) stated the big earthquake followed by a tsunami in Mentawai Islands had affected a large number of villages and caused 408 deaths, 303 people to go missing and 270 others to sustain severe injuries.

The affected population was initially estimated at 33,817 persons. However, many islands had become inaccessible and the number of potentially affected people could be over 65,000.

Meanwhile, the government said it would provide temporary shelters for the tsunami victims while waiting for the reconstruction of the Mentawai islands area. The construction of the temporary shelters was expected to be finished next December.

"The shelters are located around 30-40 meters from the coastline. So, if a tsunami occurs again, people will be safe," Social Affairs Minister Salim Segaf Al-Jufri said.

Taiwan donates $50,000 for Merapi victims

Antara News, Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Taiwan has donated US$50,000 in fund to the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) to rehabilitate areas affected by the Mount Merapi eruptions.

Andrew Hsia of the Taipei Economic and Trade Office (Teto) in Jakarta handed the aid to PMI chairman Yusuf Kalla recently, Teto said in a press statement on Tuesday.

Hsia expressed hope the aid would be helpful for the PMI to continue rehabilitating disaster-hit areas to allow the affected people to resume a normal life.Kalla said he was thankful for the aid and pledged to use it properly.

"We all know Java is the most populous island. Whenever a disaster occurs it claims many lives. The reconstruction of the affected areas will need a long time and cost a sizable amount of funds," he said.

Mt Merapi, the world`s most active volcano, had erupted repeatedly in the past two or three weeks but its most fatal eruptions occurred on Oct 26 and Nov 5.

At least 259 people had perished and many others sustained burns and became displaced in the eruptions.

The total number of refugees being sheltered in 639 refugee centers in Yogyakarta and Central Java reportedly reached 367,548.

The volcano`s eruptions spewed hot clouds of ash and lava into the air and sent lava down its many slopes.

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Radios for Refugees

Tempo Interactive, Thursday, 18 November, 2010

TEMPO Interactive, Yogyakarta:An agribusiness company, Wilmar Foundation, has donated 2.000 radios and batteries to refugees of the recent Mount Merapi eruption.

The radios were handed by Wilmar Group’s Commissioner, M.P. Tumanggor, to Yogyakarta governor, represented by Murprih Antoro Nugroho, the National Welfare and Community Protection Chief, yesterday.

“We hope the refugees will get the right information from the radio,” said Murprih. He said the National Disaster Management Agency and the Radio Republic Indonesia (RRI) had launched the Merapi Radio station last Sunday.

PITO AGUSTIN RUDIANA

China Harbour donates Rp 500m to disaster survivors

Nani Afrida, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Fri, 11/19/2010

China Harbour Engineering Co. Ltd, a China-based Infrastructure construction company, donated Friday Rp 500 million (US$56,000) in funds to disaster survivors.

"This donation will assist survivors of disasters in Indonesia," Liu Guo Fang, the deputy general manager of China Harbour Engineering, said on Thursday in Jakarta.

The company is donating Rp 500 million in total. Rp 100 million will be disbursed to tsunami survivors in Nias, while Merapi and Wasior flood survivors will receive Rp 200 million respectively.

Zhang Qiyue, the People's Republic of China to Indonesia ambassador, said previously that China had contributed US$1.5 million to disaster survivors in two phases.

Timor Leste donates one million US dollar for disaster victims

Antara News, Thursday, November 18, 2010 14:59 WIB

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Democratic Republic of Timor Leste has provided donation worth one US million dollars for victims of the Wasior flash flood, Mentawai tsunami and Merapi eruption.

The Timor Leste government represented by Social Solidarity Minister Maria Dominggas Fernandes and Deputy Minister of Finance Rui Manuel Hamjam presented the assistance to Coordinating Minister for People`s Welfare Agung Laksono, Health Minister Endang Rahayu Sedyaningsih and Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Triyono wibowo at Minister Laksono`s office, here, Thursday.

Minister Maria Dominggas Fernandes on the occasion said the government and people of Timor Leste expressed deep sympathy for the natural disasters which have hit several parts of Indonesia lately.

The one-million-dollar assistance was to demonstrate Timor Leste`s solidarity toward the victims of the disasters.

"Our presence here is on a special mission assigned by Prime Minister Kayrala Xanana Gusmao and to show a determination of the Timor Leste`s people to help Indonesia," he said.

She said her country has been following the developments on the recent disasters in Indonesia from the media reports.

Minister Agung Laksono said the Indonesian government appreciated the assistance provided by the Timor Leste government.

The donation would be use for rehabilitation and reconstruction works in the disaster-hit regions.

The minister hoped that Timor Leste`s assistance could strengthen the bilateral relations between Indonesia and Timor Leste.

Taiwan donates $300,000 for disaster victims

Antara News, Monday, November 15, 2010 22:40 WIB

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Taiwan has donated US$300 thousand in funds to finance reconstruction efforts in disaster-hit regions in Indonesia.

The funds, along with 1,000 blankets, 7,000 clothes, 25,255 pairs of shoes, and 10,000 pairs of footwear will be distributed among victims of natural disasters in stages, the Taipei Economic and Trade Office (TETO) said in a press release on Monday.

The donation will be channeled through the Indonesian natural disaster mitigation board, the office said.

TETO, along with Taiwanese companies operating in Indonesia is planning the next phase of relief aid for the victims of natural disasters, it said.

The Indonesian government said early this month it would draw up blueprints for the reconstruction of the disaster-hit regions of Wasior, Mount Merapi and Mentawai islands.

"We anticipate that funding for the reconstruction of the areas hit by natural disasters will come from various sources, both internal and from foreign assistance," Coordinating Minister for People`s Welfare Agung Laksono said.

Wasior in West Papua province was devastated by a flash flood that killed more than 160 people on Oct 4.

On Oct 25, a tsunami triggered by a magnitude-7.7 undersea earthquake engulfed the Mentawai islands off the coast of West Sumatra, killing at least 430 people and leaving some 15,000 people displaced.

Mount Merapi, located on the borders between Central Java and Yogyakarta provinces, erupted at least five times since Oct 26, spewing hot clouds 1.5 km into the air and sending lava down its many slopes. The lives of at least 168 people were lost, and the homes of about 70,000 others were destroyed.