Center for Disaster Risk Management and Community Development Studies
Indonesia, a multiethnic and multireligious country, returned to democracy after former dictator Suharto left power in 1998. However, natural disaster, volcanic and seismic activity, tsunamis, floods and tropical storms pose significant challenges to development initiatives in the country.
DWS presence in Indonesia takes the form of support for the Center for Disaster Risk Management and Community Development Studies (CDRM&CDS), a project created by Indonesian LWF member churches and the church-affiliated Nommensen University. DWS involvement in Indonesia does not yet have country or associate program status.
CDRM&CDS serves 26 churches and communities in North and West Sumatra. It has the following objectives:
• to facilitate community disaster management and risk preparedness
• to strengthen communities’ ability to manage development processes and obtain their rights
• to empower communities to attain sustainable livelihoods
• to assist Indonesian Lutheran church diaconal bodies as well as international development and rights agencies to build up organizational and programmatic capacity
Disaster Management
CDRM&CDS trains communities in the disaster relief and rehabilitation (DRR) concept and strengthens existing DRR groups. It supports environmental conservation activities and helps disseminate information on the effect of global climate change on community life.
Community Development and Rights
CDRM&CDS acts to raise community awareness on basic rights to education, health, a safe environment and a decent livelihood. It provides space for discussion on the rights-based approach to development, especially by leaders, youth, women and children. The Center also assists communities in need assessment, program planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
Sustainable Livelihoods
CDRM&CDS supports adult literacy programs in Bahasa Indonesia, the national language, for better access to information. It encourages the establishment of women’s community-level organizations. The Center facilitates entrepreneurship training and assists communities with agriculture- and fishery-based income generation programs.
Organizational Capacity
CDRM&CDS develops activities to meet capacity-building needs identified by Lutheran church diaconal bodies. Upon request, it provides coaching and on-the-job support to diaconal workers. The Center networks with international development and rights agencies in Indonesia and the region, and collects and disseminates information within relevant DRR and development networks.
For further information please contact:
Mr Roland Kilian Schlott, Program Officer
Mr David H. Mueller, Regional Representative Southeast Asia
See Also
Department for World Service | DWS Country, Regional and Associate Programs
