ICRC gives US$600m for Aceh, Nias

BANDA ACEH, Aceh: The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) signed on Friday a memorandum of understanding on a US$600 million grant for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of disaster-stricken Aceh and North Suamtra.

The money will primarily be used for construction of 20,000 permanent houses in Aceh and some 2,500 more in Nias, North Sumatra, according to the reconstruction plan set by the government.

The money will also be used to fund the reconstruction of hospitals and clinics, 110 prayer rooms and seven children's dormitories in Aceh, as well as 110 community health centers and 20 schools in Nias, North Sumatra.

The organization would also provide between $3,000 and $5,000 in financial aid for 25,000 families in the affected areas.

Indonesian Red Cross head Mar'ie Muhammad said the funding, to be audited by an independent international audit body, would also cover the reconstruction of other infrastructure.-- Antara