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)