Habitat for Humanity Indonesia
Habitat's work in Indonesia
Indonesia News and Stories
Habitat began operating in Indonesia in 1997 and currently works in 13 provinces. Its largest program was rebuilding after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami: more than 8,000 families benefited from Habitat’s interventions. This led to establishing a continuing presence in North Sumatra and
the creation of a disaster-response capability for use elsewhere
in the country. Recognizing the dire nationwide housing need, HFH Indonesia aims to galvanize resources
to provide 125,000 families with decent homes by 2014.
Housing needs in Indonesia
Indonesia is the world’s largest archipelago with more than 17,500 islands. The world’s fourth most populous country has had recent success in achieving economic growth and is now classed as a lower middle-income nation. The fruits of economic development are, however, not spread evenly. According
to the World Bank, more than 32 million Indonesians – out of a population of 234 million – live below the poverty line. About half of all households remain clustered around the national poverty line set at 200,262 rupiah per month (US$22). Such families are therefore vulnerable to any shock caused by an economic downturn or a natural disaster. And Indonesia is highly vulnerable to the latter – earthquakes, flooding and volcanic eruptions are not infrequent occurrences. Climate change is a major threat with droughts, floods and mudslides expected to worsen in the future.
As of early 2011, Indonesia faces a shortfall of eight million homes, according to the public housing ministry. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has announced a plan to build over one million houses for low-income people within five or 10 years. The cheapest houses would be priced between five million rupiah (US$560) and 10 million rupiah (US$1,130), said the president. Currently, nearly 70 percent of low-income housing is built mostly by the families themselves rather than by the government or private developers. Almost 25 million families live in urban slums with many others living along railway tracks and riverbanks, on streets and in areas that are unfit for settlement.
How Habitat for Humanity works
Habitat for Humanity Indonesia strives to provide housing solutions which also address the collective needs of a community such as health and education. Habitat seeks to partner with community groups, government agencies, corporations and other development organizations to build homes and hope. Families work with Habitat to build affordable and decent housing through contributing their own labor. Their monthly mortgage repayments – about US$20 month per family – are used to fund more homes for other families.
HFH Indonesia works with partner microfinance institutions to select families in need. The MFIs provide affordable loans for building houses; Habitat provides technical expertise. In Indonesia, Habitat houses usually measure 25 to 45 sq. m. each. Houses are built with cement slab foundation and are made from concrete blocks and plywood with wood frames and clay tiles for roofs. It takes about three weeks to a month to build a house.
Habitat taps on the expertise built after the December 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami to respond to disasters. Responses include the major earthquakes which struck West Sumatra and West Java in September 2009. HFH Indonesia also helps families affected by the tsunami in Mentawai islands, off the western coast of Sumatra island, and the eruption of Mount Merapi in central Java island, in October 2010. In disaster-hit communities, Habitat not only rebuilds homes but also trains people to prepare for and lessen the impact of future disasters.
In the year to 30 June 2011, HFH Indonesia worked with more than 8,600 international and local volunteers. Global teams come from South Korea, USA and Japan. Local volunteers come from corporations, international schools and Indonesian universities. Due to its proximity to Singapore,
HFH Indonesia’s affiliate on Batam island hosts a constant stream of volunteers from the republic who take part in builds over a weekend.
HFH Indonesia joins hands with like-minded partners such as international and local non-government organizations, microfinance institutions, cooperatives and faith-based organizations. Corporations, foundations, UN organizations and the local governments also lend support. Supporters included Asia Pulp & Paper, CIGNA, Dow Chemical, General Motor, JW Marriott and Kalbe Nutritional.
Population: 245,613,043 (July 2011 est.)
Area: 1,904,569 sq. km.
Ethnic groups: Javanese 40.6%, Sundanese 15%, Madurese 3.3%, Minangkabau 2.7%, Betawi 2.4%, Bugis 2.4%, Banten 2%, Banjar 1.7%, other or unspecified 29.9% (2000 census) Languages: Bahasa Indonesia, English, Dutch, local dialects including widely spoken Javanese
Languages: Bahasa Indonesia (official, modified form of Malay), English, Dutch, local dialects (the most widely spoken of which is Javanese).
Religions: Islam 86.1%, Protestantism 5.7%, Roman Catholicism 3%, Hinduism 1.8%, other or unspecified 3.4% (2000 census)
Literacy: 90.4% (2004 est.)
Urbanization: 52% (2008)
Population Living on US$1.25 a Day: 19% (2009)
Access to Improved Water Source: 80% (2009)
Access to Improved Sanitation Facilities: 52% (2009)
Sources: CIA World Factbook, World Bank