The Java Reconstruction Fund (JRF) pooled contributions from seven donor countries totaling US$94.1 million. A community-driven approach, fueled by the spirit of “gotong royong” – a Javanese expression to illustrate communal cooperation to achieve a shared objective – led to the building of 15,153 permanent earthquake resistant houses and completion of 1,892 infrastructure projects such as village roads, bridges, and water and sanitation facilities.
For the second leg of the trip, the Haitian delegation traveled to Banda Aceh, the capital of Aceh province, which was struck six years ago by one of the most devastating earthquakes and tsunamis in Indonesian history. While there, the delegation visited housing areas built under REKOMPAK, the Community-based Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Project, and interacted with the beneficiaries.
After visiting the REKOMPAK houses, the delegation commended the quality of the reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts through REKOMPAK. The visit to Aceh also allowed the delegation to learn more about the Indonesian government’s central role in coordinating the reconstruction process via the BRR, the reconstruction and rehabilitation agency led by Kuntoro Mangkusubroto – who is now tasked with leading the Presidential Work Unit for Development Monitoring and Control (known locally by the acronym of UKP4) – as well as the donor fund management role performed by the MDF. “The involvement of the government both at local and central level is apparent and have made a significant difference in reconstruction and rehabilitation,” said Nicolas.
