The Netherlands’ government gives special attention to the political and economic developments in the provinces Maluku and North-Maluku. The sectarian conflict in these provinces since 1999 has had a devastating impact on the well being of the people, their economies and the development process. During the conflict the Netherlands provided direct humanitarian aid to the victims of the conflict with no distinction between the rivalling groups. This aid was mainly channelled through OCHA and other UN-agencies (UNICEF, WFP, WHO), as well as Dutch and international humanitarian NGO. The Netherlands’ aid contributed to rapid provision of shelters, medical care and food to IDP's, reconstruction of houses, schools and basic infrastructure, as well as cash for work programmes and small economic activities.

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After the conflict the Netherlands has been the main contributor to two main UNDP-recovery and peace-building programmes in these provinces; North Maluku and Maluku Recovery Programme (NMMRP) and Kei Islands Peace-building Programme (KIPB).
North Maluku and Maluku Recovery Programme was launched in September 2001 and has received multi-donor support totalling US$ 15.7 million, with the Netherlands as the main donor. This programme is now in its final stages having achieved considerable programme support to post-conflict recovery, reconstruction of basic infrastructure and reconciliation in these provinces.

Kei Islands Peace-building Programme supported mainly post-conflict recovery in Kei Islands in Maluku with funding of US$ 2.2. million from only the Netherlands government. This programme has contributed to the recovery of Kei Islands in general, as well as the reconciliation process between the religious communities. In 2004 the programme has been finalised.

For the coming years the Netherlands’ government has committed itself to continue the support to the ongoing reconciliation and reconstruction process in North-Maluku and Maluku.