Australia provides $3m to reconstruct childcare centres in Chile
Media release
15 April 2010
Minister for Trade Simon Crean visited the "Little Rays of Sunshine" childcare centre in Bucalemu in the south west of Chile this week to announce that Australia will direct $3 million in reconstruction funding to the rebuilding of childcare centres in Chile.
These childcare centres were badly damaged in February when an 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck Chile. Australia was quick to respond announcing $5 million for emergency relief and reconstruction funding. This announcement allocates part of that funding to the important project of childcare centre reconstruction.
Mr Crean and Mr Fernando Schmidt, Acting Foreign Minister (and former Ambassador to Australia), signed an MoU on Australia's contribution to earthquake reconstruction in Chile and to the rebuilding of 12 child care centres.
Mr Crean was accompanied by the First Lady of Chile on a tour of the devastated area allowing him to see the devastation first hand and to meet some of the children who can now get back to their education.
“The reconstruction of these centres is vital to help the children of Chile get back to some kind of normality following the traumatic impact of the earthquake.” Mr Crean said.
“The Australian Government believes that early childhood education is a vital part of building a productive society and is pleased to help Chile to rebuild important social infrastructure.”
“The catastrophic disaster affected around 2 million people and caused extensive damage to essential infrastructure such as hospitals, schools and childcare centres.” Mr Crean said.
The childcare centres to be reconstructed are in the regions of O'Higgins, Maule, Biobio, Araucania, and metropolitan Santiago, all of which were severely affected by the earthquake.
The reconstruction assistance will be provided to the Integra Foundation which is a non-profit Chilean organisation working to help vulnerable boys and girls in poverty.
Media inquiries
- Trade Minister's Office: (02) 6277 7420
- Departmental Media Liaison: (02) 6261 1555