Half of Tsunami donations still unused: BBC

“About half of the billions of dollars donated by individuals, companies and governments worldwide to help the victims of the southeast Asian tsunami two years ago has still not been spent, the BBC said on Tuesday. According to figures obtained by the broadcaster from a database compiled by the United Nations Department for Aid and Development, several foreign governments have also only given only a small proportion, and at times none, of the money they promised. Of the $6.7 billion pledged, about a tenth has yet to be delivered, and only $3.4 billion has been spent thus far, the BBC said.” [Agence France Presse/Factiva]

“Bureaucracy, poor planning and the cynical withholding of money by some governments and charities are believed to have caused the inordinate delays in the four countries most affected - Thailand, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and the Maldives. Some rebuilding projects started late and need years to complete, but there is growing frustration at the delays…The Disasters Emergency Committee, which represents the charities, had promised to complete all its projects within three years and yesterday it confirmed it was on target.

However, more than 70 percent of the UK government's $98.6 million of aid channeled through the Department for International Development has so far been spent.” Poland, Portugal, Switzerland, Iceland, Ireland, Malaysia and New Zealand have spent all they promised in Sri Lanka, but the United Arab Emirates has spent nothing, the World Bank only about 25 percent of its money, the US government about 50 percent and the Asian Development Bank less than 20 percent. China promised $305 million in reconstruction aid but has spent $5 million. Spain pledged $60 million but has spent less than $1 million.” [The Guardian (UK)].

“TODAY (Singapore) and The Jakarta Post (Indonesia) add that the agency responsible for Aceh's reconstruction in the aftermath of the devastating 2004 tsunami did not meet its targets for rebuilding this year because of bureaucratic problems and a tax on foreign aid. According to The Aceh-Nias Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Agency's (BRR) deputy chairman for financial affairs, Amin Subekti, the agency only spent 62 percent of its $1.2 billion budget this year. He did not reveal this year's reconstruction targets, but said that only 57,000 of the 120,000 units of permanent houses targeted for completion next year had been built since last year. He added that another 22,000 were being built now. Amin also explained that some projects stalled because laws on land use that affect the rebuilding had not been established. Aceh's economy is also too small to absorb BRR's massive budget, while the agency was unwilling to buy raw materials from other provinces because it wanted to stimulate the local economy, he added.” [TODAY/Factiva]

The World Bank has meanwhile announced that a “project to build 21,500 permanent houses and 24,500 temporary shelters for victims of the Java earthquake and tsunami was launched Wednesday. The $66 million housing project was launched by the Java Reconstruction Fund, which brings together the EU, Britain, Canada, Denmark, Finland and the Netherlands, said the World Bank, which administers the fund. ‘The people of Yogya are known for their skill and enterprise and giving them housing support will also help them regain their livelihoods, many of which are home-based. It's the quickest way to help rebuild their lives and repair the economy,’ said Andrew Steer, the World Bank's country director for Indonesia.” [Agence France Presse/Factiva]

According to other news reports, the Indian Government will launch “schemes to provide various benefits to tsunami-affected families in the State on the second anniversary of the disaster, said Revenue Minister K.P. Rajendran on Monday. Families, especially children, in the nine coastal districts will benefit. The benefits would include scholarships to children, besides establishment of counseling and other facilities for them.” [The Hindu/Factiva]