IRD’s Emergency Livelihoods and Income Generation program, funded by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), both creates employment opportunities and rebuilds the capacity of micro, small and medium-sized businesses in Banda Aceh following the devastating tsunami of December 2004. IRD remains committed to working with affected communities to provide short-term, transitional and long-term income-generating solutions, as well as mobilizing local organizations to ensure the long-term sustainability of the program.

Cash for Work — Cash for Work activities provide short-term employment opportunities and revenue for the unemployed while addressing community needs identified by IRD’s local partners. By the end of 2005, 5,211 people were employed through Cash for Work activities such as clean up, tree planting, drainage improvement, and community infrastructure rehabilitation, and the total value of these activities was almost $1 million.

Small & Medium Enterprise (SME) Development — The goal of the Small and Medium Business Program is to stabilize market prices for the farming, fishing and livestock production industries in the district of Aceh Barat. Under this program, IRD works to revitalize business supply chains and enhance opportunities for local producers and business owners. IRD also works throughout Aceh Besar to generate employment opportunities for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and returnees within host communities. In 2005, 3,557 people participated in the Small Business Training held at IRD’s Business Development Training Center at Lampriet, Banda Aceh, and another 3,457 received small grants to launch their businesses.

Community Mobilization — IRD provides the technical assistance, grant management, program development and job skills training needed to help local partners and community organizations build their organizational capacity and set mutual objectives that address community needs.

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