Aid in Action

USAID forms public/private partnerships to encourage participation in reconstruction

Since the tsunami, USAID has negotiated five public/private partnerships to help direct resources to reconstruct Aceh.

Banda Aceh | Wednesday, August 17, 2005

Since the tsunami, USAID has negotiated five public/private partnerships to help direct resources to reconstruct Aceh and provide tangible assistance to Acehnese citizens. Listed below are highlights of these partnerships:

• Unocal Foundation The Unocal Foundation is donating $1.5 million in grants to support a cluster of six villages near Blang Mee: Deah Mamplam, Meupasan Bak Lie, Mesjid Leupung, Lamsenuia, Pulot and Layeuh. The funds will be channeled through USAID programs that ensure community participation in all aspects of the recovery process, encourage partnership between communities and local government in the recovery process, and achieve measurable livelihood improvement in disaster-affected communities.
• Chevron On August 14, 73 additional students from Aceh left for Riau province to begin a three-month vocational skills building course with scholarships from a $10 million USAID/Chevron public-private alliance. These students joined the first group of 60 students at the Politeknik Caltex Riau center in Pekanbaru. By the end of 2005, a total of 330 youth, aged 18-22, will be trained in skills such as computer troubleshooting, computer applications, bookkeeping, electronic repair, electric wiring installation, building construction, carpentry, road construction, and welding. These skills will help ensure Acehnese participation in the reconstruction process.
• ConocoPhillips Indonesia On August 2, USAID and ConocoPhillips Indonesia entered into a public-private alliance to support five tsunami-affected villages along the western coast of Aceh in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam. ConocoPhillips Indonesia is providing $1.2 million exclusively for livelihoods, small-scale infrastructure and other community development activities in the five villages of Saney, U Tamong, Teumareum, Kuala, and Bahagia. The partnership is an excellent example of a major private sector company making a powerful social commitment to assist with the recovery efforts in Aceh.
• Microsoft In June 2005, Microsoft provided $200,000 to support the Baitul Qirath Division (Islamic revolving loan fund) of Pemuda Muhammadiyah Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam. The funds assist with the reconstruction of the economy by increasing accessibility to micro-financing for Acehnese, particularly for vulnerable individuals. This joint program will make working capital accessible so people affected by the tsunami can engage in sustainable livelihoods and regain control of their futures.
• Mars USAID and Mars Incorporated recently created an alliance to support disaster relief activities focusing on vulnerable families. The funds are being used to meet the basic needs of approximately 200,000 people through the provision of health services, water and sanitation, shelter and protection. USAID and Mars Inc. have each contributed $1 million.