WB provides 1 billion USD in loans for disaster-hit Indonesia

The World Bank (WB) has decided to provide loans worth up to 1 billion USD for Indonesia after the country was struck by a series of disasters, including a deadly earthquake-tsunami that killed thousands.
WB provides 1 billion USD in loans for disaster-hit Indonesia ảnh 1Rescuers moved bodies of victims in Central Sulawesi province on October 10 (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - The World Bank (WB) has decided to provideloans worth up to 1 billion USD for Indonesia after the country was struck by aseries of disasters, including a deadly earthquake-tsunami that killed thousands.

WB CEO Kristalina Georgieva unveiled the funds on October 14 on Indonesia’sBali island, where the WB and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have beenholding their annual meetings.

Georgieva said the funds being made available in the form of loans couldbe used for reconstruction but are also intended to help Indonesia build resilience,so it would be better prepared in the face of future disasters.

A 7.5-magnitude quake and a subsequent tsunami ravaged Palu city inCentral Sulawesi province on September 28, killing 2,073 people and leaving around5,000 others missing.

Nearly 90,000 people were displaced by the quake, forcing them into evacuationcentres across the rubble-strewn city. Officials said it could be two yearsbefore all the homeless are found permanent accommodation.

Clean drinking water and medical supplies remains a very real concernfor 200,000 people in urgent need.

Indonesia isfrequently struck by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and tsunamis because ofits location on the "Ring of Fire", an arc of volcanoes and faultlines in the Pacific Basin.

A series ofearthquakes in July and August killed nearly 500 people on the holiday islandof Lombok, hundreds of kilometres southwest of Sulawesi.

In 2004, asubstantial earthquake off the northern Indonesian island of Sumatra triggereda tsunami across the Indian Ocean, killing 220,000 people in 13 countries,including more than 168,000 in Indonesia.–VNA
VNA

See more

Fire destroys one of the 11 PTT petrol stations that were attacked across three southern border provinces on January 11 (Photo: bangkokpost.com)

Thailand imposes curfew in southern province

The Thai military confirmed that multiple petrol stations in Thailand's southern border provinces were hit by arson attacks and explosions on late January 11, leaving one police officer injured, with five petrol stations in Narathiwat among the targeted sites.

A photo of Lirang Island in the newly designated marine conservation area by the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries in the waters of West Wetar (Photo: antaranews.com)

Indonesia establishes new marine protected area

This area forms part of a vast ecosystem and serves as an important migratory corridor for many large marine species. The move aims to safeguard high-value biodiversity while ensuring the long-term sustainability of local coastal livelihoods.

Semiconductor wire production at an industrial park in former Hoa Binh province (now Phu Tho province). (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam’s GDP growth impressive amid global headwinds: Chinese media

It said with these results, the Vietnamese Government still has ample room to adjust monetary policy, unleash market vitality, and push ahead with institutional reforms. This, the paper noted, could enable Vietnam to achieve double-digit economic growth during the 2026-2030 period.

A voter casts her ballot in the general election at a polling station in Yangon, Myanmar. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Myanmar begins second round of general election

This is the first election in Myanmar since the military government assumed power five years ago. A total of 57 political parties are participating in the election, including six parties running nationwide, with around 5,000 candidates vying for seats in the parliament.

A healthcare worker performs a swab test on a patient during influenza symptom screening at a community health centre in Banten, on January 7, 2026. (Photo: antaranews.com)

Indonesia reports first death related to so-called super flu

Yovita Hartantri, head of the New and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases Team at Hasan Sadikin Regional Hospital in Bandung, said the hospital treated 10 patients with influenza A subclade K between September and November last year. The patients exhibited a range of symptoms, with at least three developing severe complications.

Thailand enters technical deflation: Expert

Thailand enters technical deflation: Expert

Associate Professor Thanavath Phonvichai, President of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of the Centre for Economic and Business Forecasting, attributed the current bout mainly to lower production costs, particularly cheaper fuel and persistently low agricultural prices.