Jakarta, October, 30, 2018 –  UNDP’s cash-for-work programme, involving quake survivors to clear the debris in tsunami and quake-hit areas of Indonesia’s Sulawesi island, is now in full swing two months following the devastating natural disasters.

UNDP is implementing the cash-for-work programme in close partnership with national and local governments and national non-governmental organizations (NGO) until late January.

The first stage of the cash-for-work initiative is involving 300 people in Lolu village, Jono Oge village and Mpanau village in Sigi district. This program is in partnership with three NGOs; Volunteers for People and Nature; Community Innovation Associations (Immunity) and Building Work Partners Foundation (YMKM). The three month cash-for-work program is expected to employ 3500 people – out of which 40 percent are women.

“Clearing debris in the area struck by the disaster is a priority to restore access to key infrastructure. UNDP is responding to this priority through cash for work, which provides a much needed source of income for hundreds of people who have lost their livelihoods because of the disaster. This is one more step on the path to recovery,” says UNDP Indonesia Country Director, Christophe Bahuet.

The first stage of the cash-for-work runs for 25 days, and most of the workers are clearing debris from quake-stricken homes. The second phase will be carried out in Sigi Regency and Donggala Regency, but the exact village location  is yet to be determined. Under the cash-for-work programme each worker will get paid a maximum of 25 days.

This program is part of the UNDP's rapid disaster relief program of USD 1.4 million to support recovery efforts,  with funding coming from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund, and UNDP.

The team from UNDP Indonesia arrived immediately at the site since the first week of the disaster to help affected people, and supported the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) in assessing the need for early recovery. BNPB leads the initial aid and recovery program.

For the quake survivors,  the cash-for-work programme is a chance for them to get back on their feet.

"We lost our jobs soon after the disasters struck us, so this ( cash-for-work) is really helping us ease our burden, "says one of the participants, Mrs. Sul Lamakampali. The 50-year old Mother of two hails from Jono Oge village.

The cash-for-work and recovery programme builds on UNDP’s extensive experience in reconstruction and rebuilding, including in quake-hit Nepal in 2015 and in the Philippines, following typhoon Pablo in 2012.

PRESS CONTACT:

UNDP Indonesia Communication Specialist,  Tomi Soetjipto, suryo.tomi@undp.org
UNDP Indonesia, Communication Officer, di Palu, Olvyanus Lado, olvyanus.lado@undp.org