A report launched today explores how Islamic Relief has been saving and changing lives in Indonesia for over 20 years.
Indonesia is extremely vulnerable to disasters and the negative impacts of climate change, which can destroy lives, infrastructure and livelihoods in seconds.
Islamic Relief has been working in Indonesia since 2000, responding to emergencies and empowering people to build back better. We help communities prepare for future disasters and give local authorities and charities the training they need to respond effectively.
So far, we have supported more than 1.1 million people across 5 provinces. This vital work is celebrated in our new report, Islamic Relief in Indonesia.
Along with emergency response and Disaster Risk Reduction, Islamic Relief’s priorities in Indonesia include promoting sustainable livelihoods, improving water and sanitation, and orphan sponsorship. We also work in the health and education sectors and run seasonal food distributions.
Since 2000, we have invested more than £37 million in humanitarian and development programming in Indonesia.
Building back better after disaster
Indonesia’s unique geography affects every aspect of life in the country and places its people at high risk of suffering the devastating effects of disasters and climate change.
Islamic Relief has responded to 11 major disasters in Indonesia, supplying emergency shelter, food, water and other essential items at the times of greatest need.
We stay by the sides of disaster-affected communities for years, empowering families and individuals to get back on their feet and become self-sufficient once more.
Susi and her husband were farmers but lost their livelihood after an earthquake and tsunami hit Central Sulawesi in 2018. With the help of Islamic Relief, Susi set up a roadside kiosk.
Her business has been so successful that Susi’s family is no longer reliant on aid.
“I started the kiosk because I thought that many people living in temporary houses after the disaster would need to buy their daily food.
“Alhamdulillah, I am so grateful because my business has been a success. I would like to thank Islamic Relief – it is because of them that I can be like this. I hope Islamic Relief can help many more people in need.”
The same disaster that changed Susi’s life, also affected the community living in Bangga village. Though Bangga escaped damage when the earthquake and tsunami struck, resultant debris in waterways caused flash flooding months later when rainy season arrived, destroying the village.
Islamic Relief has been supporting people in Bangga since 2019, providing cash-for-work programmes through which residents cleared and reclaimed debris to construct 105 temporary homes.
Alam was among those to receive a temporary home, which he has since extended to create more space.
“After the flash flood, I stayed in the shelter for about 5 or 6 months. Then, one of the teams from Islamic Relief visited me and I was given a temporary home at that time.
“I hope that Islamic Relief will continue to support us here. We are really thankful for your help, and I hope the community can keep working together with the Islamic Relief team.”
Islamic Relief also provided a freshwater tower in Bangga, giving residents a safe source of water for cooking, washing and religious purposes.
Supporting the next generation
Disasters can rob children of a safe place to learn, make the journey to school perilous and scatter communities – including children and teachers.
Some wait months or years for school buildings to be rebuilt, while others face the prospect of never having a dedicated school building again because of the challenges of attracting investment to disaster-prone areas.
Islamic Relief is committed to ensuring children have everything they need to learn comfortably. We help to rebuild schools and supply textbooks, stationery and sports equipment to schools in need of assistance.
“After the earthquake, we studied outdoors, moving from one place to another several times,” recalls Ikhwan, a school principal from Pakuli, a village in Indonesia’s Central Sulawesi province.
“We thank Islamic Relief for agreeing to help us rebuild here. [Islamic Relief] cared about the children’s needs. It saved us.”
Islamic Relief’s work with children also includes our Orphan Sponsorship Programme, which has so far supported more than 2,000 orphaned children with a regular stipend towards their basic needs and schooling.
Graduates of the programme in Indonesia include high-achieving students, a drone pilot and even a humanitarian worker, who now helps other orphans through a local charity.
