ADB and UN-Habitat Working To Re-Build Nias Homes
ADB IS working closely with UN Habitat and non-governmental organizations to help local communities reconstruct and rehabilitate houses for the victims of the March 2005 earthquake. “ADB is contributing about $30 million for the reconstruction program on Nias Island, half of which is allocated for housing”, said Pieter Smidt, Head of ADB’s Extended Mission in Sumatera, during a ground breaking ceremony on 15 February 2007 in Banuagea village, where 252 houses will be reconstructed under an agreement between ADB and UN Habitat. “ADB is a significant stakeholder in the overall housing program on Nias, which targets about 15,000 houses”. The ADB assistance to Nias is part of a $291 million ADB grant that is helping to rebuild the areas devastated by the December 2004 tsunami and the March 2005 earthquake that hit Aceh and Nias. The ADB’s housing program on Nias includes approximately 1,500 new houses and rehabilitation of almost 900 houses. ADB has signed a collaboration agreement with UN Habitat for the reconstruction of 486 houses. The remaining part of the Nias housing program is implemented through Help eV, a German NGO, and BRR - the Aceh and Nias Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Agency of the Indonesian government. The housing program encourages the direct involvement of the community in design and implementation. “The end product of our assistance” according to Rehan Kausar, ADB’s Housing Advisor “will reflect the aspirations of the local communities. We are going one step further by providing essential community infrastructure to fulfill the goal of building back better”. ”We are pleased that UN Habitat has been selected as an implementation partner by BRR and ADB to assist in the reconstruction program on Nias” according to Binod Shrestha, Program Manager for UN Habitat for Aceh and Nias. Mr. Smidt, who has overseen ADB’s reconstruction efforts in Aceh and Nias, noted the cross the board adoption by BRR, NGOs and international agencies of a community-lead approach for the housing program on Nias in view of the island’s unique socio-cultural conditions and logistical challenges. He further observed that addressing land ownership issues and involving women figure high in the housing program. “The needs and concerns of women need to be taken into account in all stages of the housing program” said Mr. Smidt. “Where necessary, special efforts are needed to ensure that their voices are heard.” ADB's multi-sector tsunami for Indonesia assistance package covers agriculture, fisheries, irrigation, micro and small enterprise development, housing, water and sanitation, health, education, transport, power, spatial planning and environmental management, and fiduciary oversight. The $291 million ADB grant, which includes a $1 million contribution from the Government of Luxembourg, is financing the Earthquake and Tsunami Emergency Support Project (ETESP) to support disaster management, reconstruction and rehabilitation in affected areas of Aceh and North Sumatra. In addition, ADB has contributed a $10 million grant to the Multi-Donor Fund for Aceh and Nias. More information about ADB's Earthquake and Tsunami Emergency Support program in Aceh and Nias can be found at http://www.adb.org/Projects/ETESP/default.asp About ADB | 
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![ADB is assisting with housing in Aceh and Nias, as part of a $291 million ADB grant that is helping to rebuild areas devastated by the December 2004 tsunami and the March 2005 earthquake. Pictured here is a housing project in Aceh.](javascript:PopupPic("/Media/Articles/2007/11530-indonesian-housing-projects/nias-01.jpg","11530","ADB is assisting with housing in Aceh and Nias, as part of a $291 million ADB grant that is helping to rebuild areas devastated by the December 2004 tsunami and the March 2005 earthquake. Pictured here is a housing project in Aceh.","ADB and UN-Habitat Working To Re-Build Nias Homes");){kind=link}