Indonesia

Poverty & Unemployment

Famous for its scenic landscape and thriving culture, Indonesia is also home to thousands of impoverished people struggling in unbearable conditions.

More than 80 percent of Indonesians live on less than $2 a day and more than one-third live on less than $1 a day, according to the United Nations’ 2007/2008 Human Development Report (HDR).

The same study reports that one-fifth of Indonesians are malnourished and 14 percent of the population does not have access to clean drinking water.  Adding to the economic disorder, 9.1 percent of the labor force is unemployed.

Islamic Relief has been distributing food in the Ramadan and Udhiyah/Qurbani seasons to the poor and those affected by natural disasters.

Knowing that prevention is the best cure, Islamic Relief also instituted income generation and livelihood support projects, in addition to educational and economic development initiatives.

Please donate to help support Islamic Relief’s efforts to alleviate poverty around the world.

Health Services

While most western nations have eradicated malaria, 1 in 5 Indonesians are affected by malaria while only 1 percent of children under age five receive anti-malarial treatment (HDR).

In 2005, Islamic Relief presented 10 fully reconstructed and equipped health clinics to the local authorities in Indonesia.  These clinics have been applauded by local authorities as exemplary facilities, but more such projects are necessary for the millions of Indonesians struggling without proper healthcare.

Please donate today to help Islamic Relief in efforts like these.

Tsunami & Earthquake Relief

The December 2004 tsunami overwhelmed the north Sumatran province of Aceh.  More than 170,000 people were killed and over 500,000 were left homeless.  The day after the disaster, Islamic Relief distributed food, medicine, tents and hygiene supplies to hundreds of tsunami survivors.

Less than two years later in May 2006, a major earthquake hit central Indonesia. An estimated 6,000 people were killed and more than 100,000 homes were destroyed, with severe damage exacted on roads, bridges and other infrastructure.

Just four hours after the earthquake hit, Islamic Relief staff distributed food in 17 sub-districts in the region.   Hygiene kits, tarp for shelter, blankets, and kitchen kits were later distributed to 4,300 families.  Over 800 tents were given to elderly women and families with young children and 86 families also received tool kits. 

Islamic Relief in Indonesia

Islamic Relief began working in Indonesia in 2000, registering a Jakarta field office in March 2003 to implement relief and development projects.

Home to the largest Muslim population in the world, Indonesia is also the largest chain of islands, with over 17,000 islands spanning three time zones.

In addition to economic woes, Indonesia is prone to natural disasters like tropical storms, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.  The devastating tsunami in 2004 and the Java earthquake in 2006 struck a country already suffering from mass unemployment and political instability.

Islamic Relief responded by spearheading a large-scale emergency response to the tsunami and the Java earthquake.

Today, Islamic Relief is still working on rehabilitating areas affected by both disasters, as well implementing other development projects.