heks

After the tsunami at the end of 2004 and a number of relatively small initial relief projects involving food distribution and the setting up of soup kitchens, HEKS began to support broad-based projects aimed at restoring and improving living conditions. HEKS and its partner organisations are committed to economic reconstruction in six villages on the island of Nias which was struck by the tsunami and the earthquake. The projects are meeting with a very positive response both from the remote village dwellers and from the local authorities.

Aims, points of focus, initiatives:

The only work still being done by HEKS in Indonesia is the assistance with the economic reconstruction on the island of Nias in the province of North Sumatra. The aims of the work being done with local partner organisations are as follows:

• To enable the majority of inhabitants who left their villages before and because of the earthquake to return and to resume their former activities or to start new occupations.
• To improve the economic situation of the villages and the inhabitants to the point where it is far better than their original situation.
• To increase the membership and influence of self-help groups in the villages and thereby see a marked improvement in levels of initiative and commitment in the villages.
• To see a significant increase in agricultural production.
• To secure the long-term future of the credit cooperatives.

 
The projects currently running are scheduled for completion in 2010/2011. HEKS will then withdraw from Indonesia but will maintain an emergency standby unit in order to be able to reactivate support immediately in the event of major catastrophes.