REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The United States Government announced that it will implement US$3 million in new funding in support of relief efforts for the Central Sulawesi earthquake and tsunami response. It will be given through the United States Agency for International Development's Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA).

"This additional funding raises the total United States contribution to 6.7 million USD, not including the Department of Defense's operational expenses," the US Embassy in Jakarta said in a statement, Friday.

Three U.S. C-130 Hercules aircraft and supporting U.S. Air Force personnel from the 36th Contingency Response Group Guam have also extended airbridge operations between Balikpapan and Palu through October 25, 2018. This extension will enable the continued transport of critical humanitarian response cargo and personnel.

"This is what we mean when we say we are Indonesia's partner," said U.S. Ambassador Joseph R. Donovan Jr., adding "We will continue to assist the Government of Indonesia in its relief efforts."

Also read: Rehabilitation, reconstruction in Palu to start in November

The additional US$3 million from USAID/OFDA will, among other things, consist of US$2.4 million for multi-sector emergency response programming for households affected by the disaster, including to improve immediate access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene; shelter and settlements; protection spaces and activities for affected children; and economic recovery and market systems to help communities to recover rapidly and give them the dignity of choice in prioritizing their most immediate needs.

It also comprises US$300,000 for technical assistance to the Government of Indonesia through support to Shelter Sub-Cluster coordination to strengthen emergency and longer term shelter for internally displaced persons (IDPs).

And another US$300,000 will be for technical assistance to the Government of Indonesia through support to Camp Coordination and Camp Management Sub-Cluster coordination to strengthen transitional site selection, design, coordination and management for longer-term IDPs and data collection to monitor IDP demographics and movement patterns so that response and recovery is targeted and effective.

USAID/OFDA is leading the U.S. Government's response to the Central Sulawesi earthquake and tsunami. USAID/OFDA disaster experts remain on the ground to assess humanitarian needs and coordinate response efforts with the Government of Indonesia and humanitarian organizations.

Through OFDA, USAID has helped the people of Indonesia prepare for disasters and reduce their impact on communities and provided training to their counterparts for more than a decade, the embassy said in the statement.

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