New relief projects target nine provinces

New relief projects target nine provinces

JAKARTA (JP): Unicef and four prominent non-government
organizations (NGOs) have launched a social relief project in the
nine provinces worst hit by the economic crisis, according to a
Unicef representative here.

The nine provinces are West, Central and East Java, West Nusa
Tenggara, East Nusa Tenggara, East Timor, South Sulawesi, Maluku
and Irian Jaya.

Stephen J. Woodhouse, Unicef's area representative for
Indonesia and Malaysia, said the provinces were selected using
data from the National Development Planning Board (Bappenas).

The four NGOs, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah -- the
country's largest Moslem organizations -- the Christian
organization Persatuan Dharma Karya Indonesia (Perdhaki), and
BP4, the government's marriage counseling body, signed a
memorandum of understanding on the program on Friday.

Woodhouse added that Unicef would set up a similar program
with 26 other NGOs.

The first four NGOS were chosen because they were trusted and
have significant influence, besides the fact that they were
considered capable of conducting the program, Woodhouse said.

"NU, for instance, has many grassroots groups which can reach
residents in remote areas," he said, adding that Perdhaki could
promote the project through church networks.

Unicef has allocated US$5 million per year to run the project.
It will concentrate on mother-and-child health care, providing
additional nutrition for infants through existing integrated
health service posts, the prevention of diarrhea and sanitary
improvement, and the provision of elementary education for
children.

"Through schools, for instance, there will be a lesson for
girls on how to prepare for their future if they become mothers,"
Woodhouse added.

BP4 will work with married couples, especially on the issue of
mothers' health.

"Couples will be able to ask BP4 for information and
guidance," he said.

The program is expected to continue until late 2000.

Among the officials attending yesterday's ceremony were
Minister of Religious Affairs Malik Fajar, Ahmad Bagdja from
Nahdlatul Ulama, Sutrisno Muhdam from Muhammadiyah, Perdhaki
chairman Yos. E. Hudyono, BP4 chairman Sutarmadi and the Ministry
of Home Affair's director general of regional development,
Soetardjo.

If groups run along religious lines offer their support to
programs such as those to help pregnant mothers, "rich people
will join in and help the needy," Woodhouse added.

NU's Ahmad said he was ready to get started on the program.
"The damage caused by the crisis will not end in a year or two,
so we have to start now before it's too late," he said. (edt)