By BAQ media team
Yogyakarta, December 15, 2006: The Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities (CAI-Asia) handed over funds today for Yogyakarta’s reconstruction and rehabilitation effort following the earthquake disaster last May.
The funds, raised by participants during the Better Air Quality (BAQ) Workshop 2006 here, were given to Gadjah Mada University (GMU), which will disburse and monitor their use and provide a detailed financial report to CAI-Asia.
The head of CAI-Asia’s Secretariat, Cornie Huizenga, said total funds raised during the BAQ 2006 Workshop would reach about US$7,000.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Board of Researchers of the Center for Transportation and Logistic Studies of GMU, Danang Parikesit, said the fundraising period will last until June 2007.
"More people will be able to participate through this six-month period of fundraising," he said.
A powerful earthquake hit Yogyakarta and Central Java in late May 2006. The disaster killed over 6,000 people and caused millions of dollars in damage. Although the government and city have made impressive efforts to provide critical relief to survivors, more funds are needed.
Parikesit says that a reconstruction and rehabilitation package can cost US$3,000 and that one affected area may need more than one package.
CAI-Asia and Indonesia’s Ministry of Environment, which hosted BAQ 2006, are participating in the YOGYA BANGKIT! or YOGYA REVIVAL! campaign launched by the City and Province of Yogyakarta to support reconstruction activities in certain areas. These are Pager Gunung Village in Piyungan District, Bantul Regency, and the Kotagede, a major tourist destination.
Pager Gunung village, 12 kilometers south of Yogyakarta, was destroyed by the earthquake. Homes were reduced to rubble; families lost everything they owned. Some 528 villagers need communal water and sanitation facilities.
Kotagede is a heritage district with remains of the Ancient Mataram Kingdom and traditional Joglo houses as well as unique Kalang houses and kampong of sterling silver crafters. Many traditional houses are severely damaged and some 300 families homeless.
Donations, coordinated and overseen by GMU, will contribute towards restoring facilities in Pager Gunung and reconstructing small scale handicraft workshops at the Kota Gede area.
The BAQ Secretariat is authorized to accept donations via credit card, bank transfer, or cash. To pay by credit card, download and print out the credit card form and fax it to the BAQ Secretariat. To pay by bank transfer, send your donation to the following bank account:
Account Name: Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities
Saving Dollar Account No.: 5378-00202-0
SWIFT Code: PCIBPHMM
Bank name: Equitable PCIBank ADB Avenue Ortigas Branch
Bank address: Ground Floor, Robinson's Equitable Tower, ADB Avenue corner Poveda Street, Ortigas Center, Pasig, Metro Manila, Philippines
Media enquiries to Cornie Huizenga at chuizenga@adb.org or Ian Gill, BAQ media coordinator, at iajgill@gmail.com
