Netherlands gives US$2.4m donation

JAKARTA (JP): The Netherlands government handed down on Friday a US$2.4 million donation to the Jakarta-based Community Recovery Program through the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

Netherlands Deputy Ambassador D.S.M. Berendsen and UNDP Resident Representative Ravi Rajan signed the arrangement at the UNDP offices.

The donation is aimed at increasing food security, basic and social services, creating jobs and generating income for vulnerable segments of society.

The Community Recovery Program (CRP) -- a consortium of 27 non-governmental organizations including Bina Desa, the Indonesian Environmental Forum (Walhi), the Institute for Research, Education and Information on Social Economics (LP3ES) and the Institute for Research and Development (LPPS) -- was formed in the middle of last year to support small-scale institutions in various sectors on community development, environmental protection, technology and education.

Rajan said he hoped the donation would enable civil society to play "a constructive and dynamic role" in the years ahead. Also present at the event were former environment minister Emil Salim and Sri Pamoedjo Rahardjo, now chairman and executive director respectively of the CRP National Council.

The Netherlands government also contributed a $153.7-million loan through the Consultative Group on Indonesia in the current financial year to eradicate poverty and support democratization in Indonesia.

Last year CRP received commitments of $1.6 million in assistance for project activities from Britain, New Zealand and the UNDP. (06)