USAID donates money for Maluku

JAKARTA: The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is providing US$309,000 to purchase and ship building materials to several riot-torn regencies in North Maluku.

The materials, slated to arrive in North Maluku in mid-April, will be shipped to Galela, Tobelo, Jailolo, Sahu, Malifut, Kao and Bacan regencies, a statement from the U.S. Embassy said on Thursday.

These areas have experienced some of the bloodiest communal violence over the past two years. The violence has claimed at least 8,000 lives and forced no less than 130,000 others to flee.

The provincial government will distribute the materials, which will include roofing material, cement, nails and carpentry kits, and assist residents in building their houses. The work also will be jointly supervised by the local Red Cross, UN-OCHA and USAID.

The donation is meant to help in the return and resettlement of displaced people, and comes in response to a recent appeal by Minister of Settlement and Regional Infrastructure Erna Witoelar. (edt)