Our Stories

Since 1999, IRD has assisted Indonesians most in need. Through a cross-sectoral, integrated approach, IRD has implemented programs to address issues of food and nutrition, health and hygiene, infrastructure improvements, democratic governance, and emergency response. Currently, IRD has offices in Jakarta, Banda Aceh, Yogyakarta, Semarang, Palu, and Jayapura.

Strengthening Peaceful, Stable Communities
IRD is providing programmatic, administrative, and logistical support for USAID’s SERASI strategic grants and technical assistance program to mitigate social conflict and support peacebuilding initiative in Aceh, Central Sulawesi, the Malukus, and Papuathrough 2010. The SERASI program helps local civil society organizations, public institutions, and other partners target the causes and consequences of violent conflict through community-based and community-driven activities, training, monitoring, and networking.

The program uses participatory decentralized development planning to determine the most strategic use of grants for local, provincial and national projects that promote respect for human rights and improved inter-group relations; institutionalize a legitimate peace process in Aceh; increase capacity to manage conflict; and support a democratic and transparent security sector.

Building Life Skills
IRD, Save the Children, and the Academy for Educational Development, through USAID, are working together in seven provinces to help young people become better prepared for lifelong learning, entrance into the workforce, and participation in community development. The Decentralized Basic Education III (DBE3) program will train up to 200,000 teachers in 400 schools between 2005 and 2010. Materials created for DBE3 have already been replicated by institutions outside of the original target areas and IRD teaching methods have been adopted by Ministry trainers. IRD implements DBE3 activities in Central Java.

At the national level, IRD is working through a public-private alliance between USAID and Conoco Phillips to provide disaster preparedness training to communities affected by the May 2006 earthquake in Central Java and Yogyakarta. Under a separate agreement between USAID and Intel, IRD is setting up computer labs and developing the capacity of Master Trainers in Central Java. They use Intel’s Getting Started guide to improve teachers' computer literacy skills so they in turn can prepare their students for the 21st century workforce.

Improving Health and Nutrition
Since 1999, IRD, with funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, has worked to improve the health and nutritional status of low-income families and their children. IRD’s most recent work, Better Food for Better Lives Program (BFBL), produced and marketed nutritious food products at a reduced price in seven provinces in Java, Bali and Lombok, serving 1.5 million consumers. BFBL promoted private sector development in the food industry by working with several local factories to produce soy-fortified rice noodles and iodine-enriched sweet soy sauce. BFBL was a continuation of IRD’s successful Noodle Food Assistance Program and was later replicated in several other countries. BFBL provided assistance over three years and was completed in June 2008.

The Student Health Improvement Program (SHIP), also funded by USDA, is a comprehensive public health program that targeted 81,000 school children and their communities in five districts in Central Java plus the district of Yogyakarta. SHIP utilized an integrated cross-sectoral approach to improve the educational quality in targeted schools. Program activities included training of trainers in participatory teaching methods, strengthening school management committees, designing and building appropriate water and sanitation facilities, distributing health kits and materials, extensive deworming study and treatment, community outreach programs, and building the capacity of community-based organizations. SHIP was implemented in two phases: phase one was undertaken from 2002 to 2006 and phase two was conducted from 2006 to 2007.

Rebuilding Infrastructure and Improving Hygiene
In the wake of the 2004 tsunami, IRD and UNICEF improved the long-term health status of tsunami-affected communities, particularly women and children, in Aceh province through the combination of improved access to water and sanitation services and education on good health and hygiene practices. Under the Collaborative Small Town and Rural Communities Water Restoration Program, IRD restored and improved eight water supply systems serving 272,000 urban residents. The local water authority, PDAM, was trained to properly operate and maintain these facilities. IRD also worked with rural communities to construct village-appropriate water supply and sanitation facilities that will be operated and maintained by the community. In addition, IRD rehabilitated the water and sanitation facilities in 20 UNICEF schools in these communities.

Without understanding and awareness of proper hygiene, the infrastructure improvements would be insufficient for maintaining good health in the long-term. IRD trained midwives, both at the community health clinics and at the village level, as well as women’s groups and the village water sanitation committees in hygiene promotion methodologies. IRD also implemented UNICEF’s WASH program in the schools. IRD trained teachers and student peer educators to educate students on good hygiene practices with active learning methodologies. The program was implemented from September 2005 to June 2008.

Responding to Emergencies
Hours after the 2006 earthquake in Yogyakarta, IRD staff began distributing food and medical supplies to hospitals and mobilizing resources to provide water, food, and shelter for victims. Working in conjunction with USDA and the World Food Program, IRD distributed approximately 450 metric tons of prepackaged noodles to more than 198,700 beneficiaries in the affected districts. IRD also worked with international partners to deliver more than $1.8 million of medical supplies to the region.



Contact
James Grall
Chief of Party, SERASI

Jakarta Office:
Intiland Tower 9th Floor
Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 32
Jakarta 10220
Indonesia
Phone: +62-21-5785-4061
Fax: +62-21-5785-4063
E-mail: indonesiastaff@ir.or.id
Web site: www.ird.or.id

Yogyakarta Office:
Paseban Room Bawah
Sejahtera Family Hotel and Apartment
Jl. Pringgodani No.22. Demangan Baru
Yogyakarta 55281
Indonesia
Phone/Fax 1: +62-274-511355 ext. 100
Phone/Fax 2: +62-274-519339 ext. 100
Phone/Fax 3: +62-274-519338
E-mail: ygyoffice@ird.or.id

Aceh Office:
Jl. Genuceu Meunara Lorong VII No. 17
Desa Garot – Aceh Besar
Naggroe Aceh Darussalam I23237
Indonesia
Phone: +62-0651-742-8718
Fax: +62-0651-41675
E-mail: acehoffice@ird.or.id

Semarang Office:
Jl. Agro Puro No. 17
Semarang 50231
Indonesia
Phone: 62-24-850-7500
Fax: 62-24-850-3649