Indonesia: World Bank to provide US$1 billion for Lombok, Palu reconstruction

Antara 15 Oct 18;

World Bank Chief Executive Officer Kristalina Georgieva while visiting earthquake-hit Palu, Central Sulawesi, on Oct 12, 2018. (M Arief Iskandar)

Nusa Dua, Bali (ANTARA News) - The World Bank is committed to providing US$1 billion for the reconstruction of demaged facilities in the earthqauake-affected Lombok (West Nusa Tenggara/NTB) and Palu (Central Sulawesi).

"The government`s efforts to restore affected areas have been very good. We provide this assistance to give support needed by Indonesia," said World Bank Chief Executive Officer Kristalina Georgieva in Nusa Dua, Bali, on Sunday.


The assistance can be immediately disbursed in accordance with the government`s request. It is supported by a loan of five million dollars that has been given previously so that the recovery process of natural disaster-affected facilities can run well.

The loan package included cash assistance for 150,000 poor families affected in natural disasters for a period of six months to one year.

This social security scheme is designed to strengthen the local economy and create jobs during the recovery period and prevent long-term damage to human capital.

The one billion package can also be used for disaster recovery programs to finance public facilities and other important infrastructure.

Affected infrastructure that can utilize the assistance includes hospitals, schools, bridges, highways, toll roads and water supply facilities.

? In addition, the assistance can strengthen monitoring and early warning systems, strengthen the reconstruction process of houses and rebuild the infrastructure and service environment.

The World Bank estimates losses for geospatial damage and infrastructure, buildings and homes affected by the tsunami in Palu reached $531 million or Rp. 8.1 trillion.

The details are $181 million or Rp2.75 trillion for residential houses, $185 million or Rp 2.82 trillion for damaged buildings and $65 million or Rp2.5 trillion for infrastructure

?The estimate does not include the calculation of casualties, loss of land or economic disruption due to lost livelihoods.

On this occasion, Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani said that the commitment from the World Bank could strengthen efforts to improve resilience and improve the handling of natural disasters.

However, he ensured the disbursement of aid funds and their utilization must go through a discussion process with the parliament. *** 3 ***

Reporting by Satyagraha
editing by Andi Abdussalam

Editor: Fardah Assegaf