Reducing the devastating impacts of natural disasters
The Australian and Indonesian Governments recently launched the Australia Indonesia Facility for Disaster Reduction, at a special ceremony led by Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Stephen Smith and Indonesian Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. R.M. Marty M. Natalegawa in Jakarta on 15 July 2010.
The Facility’s launch marks an important event in the strong relationship now shared by both countries and their united commitment to better prepare for and respond to disasters in Indonesia. Australia is at the forefront of international efforts to encourage greater investment in disaster risk reduction and it can better equip countries to lead and manage disaster responses - saving lives, protecting livelihoods, safeguarding development gains and reducing the cost of disasters in our region.
The Australian Government will provide expert staff and A$67 million over five years through its international development agency AusAID and the Indonesian Government will provide counterpart staff, services and support arrangements. Australia and Indonesia will manage the new facility, working closely with ASEAN, APEC, the United Nations and Indonesia’s government departments, communities, private sector and non-government organisations.
