Our programs linking relief, rehabilitation and development together to promote livelihood. One example of our livelihood programs is in the province of Aceh in Indonesia, an area hit hard by the tsunami in December 2004. Malteser International focused its relief activities on the region surrounding Lhokseumawe, especially on the villages Lancok and Jambo Timu.
Rebuilding Homes and Lives in Lhokseumawe
Malteser International has implemented a comprehensive community rehabilitation program for the two villages. The main goals are the reconstruction of infrastructure and ensuring an income for the affected population. Right from the beginning, the communities were mainly responsible for the process of planning and implementation. Since the start of the project, more than 500 houses were built in Lancok and Jambo Timu, several destroyed houses were renovated. Malteser International built a bridge, a health post, two small offices for the heads of the villages and a public toilet. The primary school was rehabilitated and equipped, two playgrounds were built. Several new wooden bridges now ensure a fast flight over the fish ponds in case of another tsunami.
A Sign of Hope
Malteser International supports the population with small loans to help generate an income. Individuals and small groups can thus build up a small-scale business. They are accompanied till the credit is paid back and receive support when facing problems. A special focus of this income generating activities is laid on aquaculture and tailoring which are two traditional branches in the region.
"In spite of the terrible events which have occurred in our country, we have still found hope," says Mrs Ramlah. Together with four other women she bought two sewing machines and started a veil production in her little house. Her veils always produced in accordance to fashion sell so well that she now can even give little jobs to girls from the neighborhood who come to sew little pearls onto the veils and thus earn a little money. Optimism has returned to the village. "The project of Malteser International is more than relief. It is a sign of hope", Mrs Ramlah says.
Malteser International runs rehabilitation programmes in devastated communities, helping to put those affected back on their feet by providing survival packages and then long-term business development and income-generating projects.
Through income-generating measures, Malteser International promotes sustainable self-sufficiency and personal responsibility. For the purposes of safeguarding sustainable means of existence, promoting local structures while at the same time utilizing the cooperation partners’ capability for self-help has proved to be a successful strategy.