Speech

William M. Frej, USAID Mission Director Talking Points

CHF/USAID/AIG Housing Handover Ceremony, Pulot Village, Tuesday May 23, 2006, 10:00

Banda Aceh | Tuesday, May 23, 2006

Thank you all for being here. Today, we are celebrating an important event in this community. Along with our partners AIG and CHF, I am pleased on behalf of USAID to present members of this community with new homes. It gives me great satisfaction to see this community rebuilding, and USAID is honored to be a part of the rebuilding process.

A special thanks to the Governor’s Office and BRR for sending representatives here today to share this event with us. USAID values its close working relationship with both BRR and the Government of Aceh Province, and your presence here today reflects that strong relationship.

I would also like to acknowledge and thank the American International Group (AIG), and particularly CHF International. Partnerships between USAID and representatives of the private sector enable us all to reach our goals more efficiently, and effectively.

These houses reflect the commitment of the U.S. Government to help the people of Aceh rebuild their lives. USAID was present in Aceh long before the tsunami and plans to be here for the long term. Among all of the needs here, it is clear that shelter is among the most urgent priorities, and USAID and its partners have worked to ensure that these houses of high quality and meet the commnity’s needs.

The quality of the houses is apparent, and CHF has worked with the Community Resettlement Committees to ensure participation and clarity in the decisionmaking process.

According to the latest BRR statistics, there are still some 67,000 people living in tents. The reasons for this are many. Along with our partners, we are working to reduce these constraints, rebuild shelter and key infrastructure, restore livelihoods, and strengthen capacity and governance. Here are the fruits of our labor (Gesture to houses).

CHF International, with funds from USAID, is currently constructing 57 houses here in Pulot village as an initial phase of a $10 million housing construction initiative. AIG is committing $700,000 in additional funding through CHF International as part of this program so that USAID, AIG and CHF can build an additional 150 homes in Pulot and Gle Jong villages, as well as provide needed infrastructure, including community mapping and other planning activities, water supply, and sanitation.

Thank you all for your efforts – such partnerships bring together development expertise, financial resources, and regional presence to leverage resources and make a difference. Your hard work and cooperation have made this a reality. And to those who move in today – congratulations.

Learn more: Tsunami Reconstruction | About this activity

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