I am pleased to announce the Community Peace and Restoration Fund in Solomon Islands will be extended for another year as part of Australia's strengthened aid program to the country.
Additional funding of $6 million means Australia's contribution to the fund will reach $21 million by December 2004.
The Community Peace and Restoration Fund was established after the violence of 2000 to provide support for small-scale, quick impact, community based projects to help with the reintegration, resettlement and rehabilitation of people affected by the conflict.
It provides a critical peace dividend direct to communities. Over 500 projects in all provinces of the Solomon Islands have now been supported by the Fund. CPRF reaches out to all parts of the country, even some of the most remote communities such as Lavaka on Vanikolo Island in Temotu Province where a kindergarten pre-school has been built.
CPRF projects are spread over a variety of sectors including health, education, community facilities, training, roads, women, youth, and agriculture.
Projects are undertaken in partnership with communities who contribute themselves to each project. Community contributions include assistance with project planning, labour in construction phases of water and sanitation projects, or making a school's desks and chairs. Activities include building new classrooms, roads improvement and maintenance, health clinics, or training workshops on issues ranging from youth health issues to law and justice and income generation initiatives. Projects working with youth and women are a priority.
I would like to recognise the important work of the CPRF's Provincial Coordinators. Twenty-seven Solomon Islanders around the country work with local communities to implement CPRF activities. I am pleased with the way they work directly with communities to help identify programs and projects and then support implementation and ongoing monitoring.
The Fund plays a crucial role in progressing the peace process and providing a catalyst for economic and social development at the village level throughout all the provinces of Solomon Islands.
I am confident our increased support will allow the Fund to build on its successes and along with our other development assistance and the work of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands to make a significant contribution to peace and stability in the country.
Media contacts:
Chris Kenny ( Minister's Office) 02 62777
500 or 0419 206 890
Jo Elsom (AusAID) 02 6206 4960 or 0412 804 489
Lyndall Sachs (Office of the Special Coordinator in Honiara) 0011 677 24699