Rebuilding Livelihood for Tsunami Disaster Affected Communities in Aceh and Nias

22-0806-67

In December 2004, an extremely strong undersea earthquake at magnitude 8.9 Richter scale occurred below the Indian Ocean, northwest of Sumatra Island. The earthquake was followed by tsunami that devastated most part of Aceh and Nias. The disaster called Heifer Indonesia to engage in assisting the surviving communities in Aceh and Nias. For early response, a relief program had done in January-February 2005. And in July 2005, Heifer Indonesia officially begin tsunami rehabilitation project.

The project will help rebuild livelihoods for fishermen and small-scale farmers. The project will also promote community-based natural resources management and provide training for 1,500 families in sustainable farming and animal husbandry management.

Project Summary

To run the project, Heifer Indonesia has several programs; restoration for the tsunami affected communities in Aceh and Nias, assistance in rebuilding livelihood for small fishermen and small farmers whose farming and fishing assets were severely affected, and promote community based natural resources management thereby can effectively mitigate and prevent possible disaster in the future. The project will also provide trainings for1,500 families, support through livestock, simple fishing tools and agricultural inputs to 1,300 farm families and 200 fishing families.

Project Implementation

Livestock

The livestock support will consist of cattle, goats, poultry, fishes and swine (for Nias area). Boats and fishing nets will be also distributed to fishing families.

Mangrove Reforestation

Mangrove reforestation aimed to support biodiversity in the coastal ecosystem so that aquaculture farming is promoted and practiced. Incline in mangrove areas will increase fish and shrimp nursery habitats and offshore fisheries productivity.

Training

The participants will be trained in livestock management, horticulture farming, community based natural resources management, community based disaster management, group leadersip, marketing, small business, composting and organic farming. They will also receive other training such as Heifer’s cornerstones including Passing on the Gifts (PoG), cornerstones and gender equity. Animal health services and technical support will be provided in collaboration with livestock services/extension workers. Training in these areas will be provided by Heifer Indonesia, non governmental organizations (NGOs), universities, and local government.

Microcredit

Microcredit program will be implement by giving small loans to participants. The small loans given will be used as financial capital for salted fish making or other food processing.

Project Partners and Participants

To implement the project, Heifer Indonesia will collaborate with at least 5 local NGOs in Aceh and Nias and the participants will be jointly selected by community based organizations (CBOs) or farmers groups, NGOs and Heifer Indonesia. The participants will be farmers and fisherman whom severely affected by the tsunami. The CBOs will organize training, supported by NGO, on value based planning and management, including planting, nurturing and preserving mangrove, before they receive livestock, seeds, and training. To promote gender equity, women headed households will be prioritized as project beneficiaries.

Passing on The Gifts (PoG)

All participants are commited to pass on the resources they received. Under the guidance of NGOs, the participants will develop the details and pass on mechanism. The passing on process will be jointly monitored by NGOs and Heifer Indonesia.

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