Indonesia is the fourth most populous country in the world, with over 230 million people inhabiting 6,000 of the country’s 17,500 islands. Forming part of the “Pacific Ring of Fire”, Indonesia is prone to regular earthquakes and volcanic eruptions as well as other natural disasters including flooding and landslides which occur frequently throughout the country.
Since 2005, Irish Red Cross in partnership with Indonesian Red Cross (PMI – Palang Merah Indonesia) has been operating in Aceh province, northern Sumatra. Throughout this time, Irish Red Cross activities focused on programmes supporting education, water and sanitation initiatives, and a community outreach programme which focused on promoting accountability to disaster affected communities. While Irish Red Cross closed its direct operations in Indonesia in December, 2009, we continued supporting the Indonesian Red Cross focusing mainly on education and communication programmes. Find out more here about the Irish Red Cross programmes in Indonesia.
Voice actors recording their vocals for Rumoh PMI radio drama in Irish Red Cross audio production facility in Banda Aceh, Indonesia
Education
The Irish Red Cross Secondary Education Cash Assistance Programme (SECAP) has ensured access to education for nearly 8,000 at risk or vulnerable students in the Aceh province since 2006. The aim of the programme is to support the long-term future of many families by providing education grants to those who have difficulty in providing secondary education opportunities to their children. It has also provides Life Skills Training to students through building the capacity of Indonesian Red Cross.
Communications
Irish Red Cross continued its support to Radio R-PMI, an outreach initiative to communities in the districts of Aceh and Nias, using local radio and managed by Indonesian Red Cross. Through this programme, information is shared and dialogue encouraged through interactive talk shows, news bulletins and public service announcements, and, in addition, functions as part of a disaster early warning system in the region. The facility also provides a vital forum where the local population can highlight issues of concern affecting their communities.