World Bank, ADB Grant Indonesia Millions for Coral Reefs Program

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia has reportedly received grant funds from the World Bank and the Asia Development Bank for the coral reefs rehabilitation and management program or Coral Triangle Initiative (COREMAP-CTI).

The World Bank provided a US$6.2 million grant within three years beginning June 19, 2019.

“Bappenas (National Development Planning Agency) through the ICCTF (Indonesian Climate Change Trust Fund) is trusted to manage the project with supports from Laut Sawu in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) and Raja Ampat in West Papua,” said Bappenas Secretary Himawan Hariyoga in a webinar on Thursday, July 30.

The ADB, meanwhile, granted US$5.2 million for less than three years starting March 4, 2020, until December 31, 2022. The program would be held in Gili Matra and Gili Balu in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) and Nusa Penida in Bali.

The COREMAP-CTI was carried out by the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) along with the Bappenas, mainly targeting to strengthen the institutional capacity in coastal monitoring and increase the effectiveness of coastal ecosystem management.

Throughout January to June 2020, Himawan added, the ICCTF had synergized with six partners. He hoped the programs could be one of the driver sectors amid the COVID-19 pandemic, especially for people living in the coastal area.

“We are also striving to improve the local people's welfare while maintaining the sustainability of coral reefs at the same time,” Himawan concluded.

Read also: LIPI Reports Climate Change eventually Damages Coral Reefs

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA