On 30 September 2009, the province of West Sumatra in Indonesia was rocked by a devastating earthquake. More than 1,100 people were killed and more than 300,000 buildings were damaged or destroyed, including many schools and health clinics.
Australia rallied quickly to support Indonesia's response. Overall, Australia has committed more than $15 million to emergency and reconstruction efforts and is committed to giving long–term support for West Sumatra's recovery. This assistance is expected to reach more than 260,000 people.
Australia, along with the United States, is working with Indonesia to help rebuild 39 schools damaged by the earthquake. Australia is giving $5 million, which will enable about 6,500 children return to school. These schools will be built to meet Indonesia's earthquake resistance standards. The local community will be involved in rebuilding the schools, using local materials and with support from qualified engineers.
Australia is providing about $5 million to help rebuild eight health facilities across Padang Pariaman district. This support will help communities regain access to improved health services, including general medical, emergency and maternity treatment. This assistance reflects Australia's long–term commitment to improve the health of Indonesians, especially mothers and children across the country.
Australia is also supporting the public awareness Build Back Better campaign. This campaign was created to help teach around 230,000 West Sumatran families rebuilding their homes that they need to build houses that are more earthquake resilient.
The Build Back Better campaign has included television and radio commercials, billboard and bus advertising, newspaper articles, and talkback shows. It has also been launched online, including on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter, to reach many more Indonesians in vulnerable regions across the country.
The campaign is funded by the Australia Indonesia Facility for Disaster Reduction, based in Jakarta. The facility, a partnership between Australia and Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency, supports Indonesia's goal to strengthen national and local capacity in disaster management and to promote a more disaster resilient region.
Australia is committed to helping Indonesia reduce the human and economic toll of natural disasters.
More information
Read how Australia is helping people in Indonesia
Australia-Indonesia Facility for Disaster Reduction
Teaching the community to build back better after an earthquake: Anggin's story
Helping children in West Sumatra return to safer schools: Johsi and Pak's story