As nearly 1,600 people graduated from IOM training programmes in
earthquake-safe construction and disaster preparedness and
prevention this weekend, IOM hosted a disaster preparedness fest in
Klaten, Central Java.

The festival included a disaster preparedness exhibition of the
types of activities undertaken by agencies in Bantul and Klaten,
the areas worst hit by the 2006 earthquake. Agencies taking part
included IOM, UNDP, ASB, LPPLSH, Bintari Foundation, AIP-YCAP, YEAN
and Muslim Aid.

The event, which was attended by graduates of IOM's training
program and their families, local community leaders, government
officials and donor community representatives also featured a
disaster management quiz, stage performances, and presentation of
graduation certificates for participants of training courses.

To date, IOM's community outreach programme in Central Java has
trained almost 5,000 people in safe construction, disaster
preparedness and prevention, household finance and
entrepreneurship. The program has also trained 36 local leaders
from Bantul in community-based disaster risk management.

The training is part of IOM's Mobile Community Assistance (MCA)
Programme, which applies an integrated strategy for holistically
rebuilding communities across a number of different sectors. The
MCA programme is funded under the Yogyakarta – Central Java
Community Assistance Program, under the auspices of the Australian
Indonesia Partnership.

For further information, please contact:

Manfred Profazi

IOM Yogyakarta

Tel. +62.8126989879

E-mail: "mailto:mprofazi@iom.int">mprofazi@iom.int

or

Ashley Carl

Tel. +62.811268076

E-mail: "mailto:acarl@iom.int">acarl@iom.int