ReliefWeb, Date: 20 Feb 2007
ADB and UN-Habitat working to re-build Nias homes
Source: Asian Development Bank (ADB)
ADB IS working closely with UN Habitat and non-governmental organizations to help
local communities reconstruct and rehabilitate houses for the victims of the March
2005 earthquake.
"ADB is contributing about $30 million for the reconstruction program on Nias Island,
half of which is allocated for housing", said Pieter Smidt, Head of ADB's Extended
Mission in Sumatera, during a ground breaking ceremony on 15 February 2006 in
Banuagea village, where 252 houses will be reconstructed under an agreement
between ADB and UN Habitat. "ADB is a significant stakeholder in the overall housing
program on Nias, which targets about 15,000 houses".
The ADB assistance to Nias is part of a $291 million ADB grant that is helping to
rebuild the areas devastated by the December 2004 tsunami and the March 2005
earthquake that hit Aceh and Nias.
The ADB's housing program on Nias includes approximately 1,500 new houses and
rehabilitation of almost 900 houses. ADB has signed a collaboration agreement with
UN Habitat for the reconstruction of 486 houses. The remaining part of the Nias
housing program is implemented through Help eV, a German NGO, and BRR - the
Aceh and Nias Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Agency of the Indonesian
government.
The housing program encourages the direct involvement of the community in design
and implementation. "The end product of our assistance" according to Rehan Kausar,
ADB's Housing Advisor "will reflect the aspirations of the local communities. We are
going one step further by providing essential community infrastructure to fulfill the goal
of building back better".
"We are pleased that UN Habitat has been selected as an implementation partner by
BRR and ADB to assist in the reconstruction program on Nias" according to Binod
Shrestha, Program Manager for UN Habitat for Aceh and Nias.
Mr. Smidt, who has overseen ADB's reconstruction efforts in Aceh and Nias, noted
the cross the board adoption by BRR, NGOs and international agencies of a
community-lead approach for the housing program on Nias in view of the island's
unique socio-cultural conditions and logistical challenges. He further observed that
addressing land ownership issues and involving women figure high in the housing
program.
"The needs and concerns of women need to be taken into account in all stages of the
housing program" said Mr. Smidt. "Where necessary, special efforts are needed to
ensure that their voices are heard."
ADB's multi-sector tsunami for Indonesia assistance package covers agriculture,
fisheries, irrigation, micro and small enterprise development, housing, water and
sanitation, health, education, transport, power, spatial planning and environmental
management, and fiduciary oversight.
The $291 million ADB grant, which includes a $1 million contribution from the
Government of Luxembourg, is financing the Earthquake and Tsunami Emergency
Support Project (ETESP) to support disaster management, reconstruction and
rehabilitation in affected areas of Aceh and North Sumatra. In addition, ADB has
contributed a $10 million grant to the Multi-Donor Fund for Aceh and Nias.
More information about ADB's Earthquake and Tsunami Emergency Support program
in Aceh and Nias can be found at http://www.adb.org/Projects/ETESP/default.asp
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