UNICEF school reconstruction in Aceh and Nias

The tsunami of December 2004 caused catastrophic damage in Indonesia, leaving more than 200,000 dead or missing, destroying vast amounts of infrastructure and displacing more than half a million people. Large numbers of schools were affected, with 1,147 destroyed or severely damaged in Aceh province alone, threatening the education of tens of thousands of children.

Against this backdrop of devastation UNICEF committed to build new permanent primary schools in the Aceh and Nias regions on behalf of the Government of Indonesia. The project aims to restore educational facilities to a much higher standard than existed prior to the tsunami.

The schools as constructed set new standards in earthquake resistance and all are adapted to the specific needs of each community and the requirements of each construction site.

IDPC operations

UNICEF selected UNOPS to serve as its main implementing partner on the basis of UNOPS global experience in delivering large and complex projects in challenging settings.

The IDPC Project Management Unit coordinates the activities of four regional offices located in Banda Aceh, Calang, Meulaboh and Nias. The UNICEF project employs roughly 200 staff, of whom 15 have been internationally recruited.

Project implementation

IDPC manages all aspects of the reconstruction of 223 new, permanent primary schools, including: design; tendering and awarding contracts; vetting, recruiting and managing human resources; reporting; and financial management.

IDPC employs both international and national engineers to supervise the design and construction process, ensuring that all schools meet the National Standards of Indonesia and the revised Aceh Building Code.

Achievements

By the end of March 2008 IDPC had completed and handed more than 100 schools to UNICEF. More than 615 classrooms had been built, benefiting nearly 18,500 students in Aceh and Nias Island. IDPC is constructing a further 106 schools and has completed designs for all 223.

The project has increased the number of children enrolled in primary schools, thereby contributing to United Nations Millenium Development Goal 2, targeting “universal primary education for all”. It has also significantly improved the quality of education, reduced drop-out rates in elementary schools and raised primary school completion rates. As a result, more children are empowered with the basic life skills and education necessary to become productive members of society.

Following these successes UNICEF has extended the UNOPS contract to include the construction of 29 community health centres. As of mid-2008 the total programme budget stood at just under $70 million.