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JAKARTA: Australia said on Sunday that it would give Indonesia about US$15 million of aid in following the powerful earthquakes that hit Java and Sumatra last month.
"Today I announce an Australian commitment of A$17 million (US$15.3 million) to help the people of Indonesia rebuild after the earthquakes, A$12 million for West Sumatra and A$5 million for West Java," Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said in a statement.
Smith said Australia will help to rebuild schools and public health facilities in West Sumatra, where 807 people were killed in the 7.6-magnitude quake on September 30, according to the latest official death toll.
Aid workers believe the final toll could be more than 3,000.
About 100,000 homes were destroyed and entire villages were wiped out in landslides, leaving an estimated 500,000 people homeless.
Australia will also help to repair or rebuild up to 100 schools in West Java, Smith said, where at least 100 people were likely killed and over 88,000 people left homeless by a 7.0-magnitude quake on September 2.
"This assistance for recovery and reconstruction is in addition to Australia's emergency assistance, including urban search and rescue teams and support for the local Red Cross to distribute cooking, hygiene and medical kits," Smith added.
- AFP/sc
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