EU and Humanity & Inclusion launch I AM SAFE project

21.10.2020
Yogyakarta

The European Union and Humanity & Inclusion launch I AM SAFE project to address socio-economic impacts of COVID-19 on vulnerable groups in Yogyakarta and East Nusa Tenggara

European Union and Humanity & Inclusion launch I AM SAFE project to address socio-economic impacts of COVID-19 on vulnerable groups in Yogyakarta and East Nusa Tenggara

 

Humanity & Inclusion (HI) together with CIS Timor and the Association for Inclusion and Disability Advocacy Movement (SIGAB) launched today the project  “I AM SAFE: Inclusive Access to Multi-Sectoral Services and Assistances for Everyone”.

The event was held virtually and attended by the Vice Governor of East Nusa Tenggara, the Regent of Gunungkidul, the Regent of Sleman, the Mayor of Yogyakarta, the Regent of Kupang, and the Mayor of Kupang. Also present were representatives from the Ministry of Social Affairs, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs, Ministry of National Development Planning (BAPPENAS), local government officers, organisations of persons with disabilities in Yogyakarta and East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), and civil society organisations. The European Union was represented by the EU Ambassador to Indonesia.

The I AM SAFE project is fully funded by the EU with €1.1 million or IDR 19.2 billion. The project will support the work of local governments, especially in Yogyakarta and NTT, as well as at the national level, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic which has impacted vulnerable groups. During the 18-month project implementation period, vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities, elderly people, people with non-communicable diseases, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and the poor, will benefit from inclusive services that are designed to build their resilience and equip them for the crisis. In addition, the project will collaborate with civil society organisations, organisations of persons with disabilities and the local governments to formulate Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for inclusive crisis management.

“The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is tremendous, especially for vulnerable groups. The pandemic not only destroys economic life but also limits access to basic services. This has increased the vulnerability of groups that are forgotten in crisis responses. Without a strategic approach and with existing obstacles, vulnerable groups will become the most susceptible people to contract COVID-19,” said Swetika Eko Saptyono, Country Coordinator of HI in Indonesia. “Their aspirations need to be listened to and their participation in social, economic and political lives should be encouraged. It is hoped that all forms of interventions and policies can directly benefit them,” he added.

On the same occasion, Vice Governor of East Nusa Tenggara, Drs. Josef Nae Soi, M.M. expressed his support for the project. "We are strongly committed to preventing the transmission of COVID-19, especially in East Nusa Tenggara.  Our commitment is stated in Governor Regulation Number 26 of 2020 concerning the New Normal Guidelines, which provides guidance for community activities during the outbreak. We appreciate the I AM SAFE project, funded by the European Union and implemented by Humanity & Inclusion in collaboration with CIS Timor. We hope that vulnerable groups in the two target areas in NTT, namely Kupang Regency and Kupang City, will be able to benefit from the programme.  We also hope that this programme can complement the prevention and mitigation work carried out by the Provincial Government of East Nusa Tenggara. Hopefully, this collaboration can provide positive benefits to the community, especially vulnerable groups in East Nusa Tenggara."

Similarly, Regent of Sleman, Drs. H. Sri Purnomo stated, “Community participation in preventing the spread of COVID-19 is very important. The policies, information and prevention outreach that the government provide will certainly not have an impact if there is no active participation from the community. In Sleman, we have provided the information down to the village level. The I AM SAFE project, implemented by Humanity & Inclusion in collaboration with SIGAB, is certainly in line with our prevention programmes. We hope that by providing inclusive risk communication the project will be able to contribute to changes in the behavior of the people of Sleman. We also appreciate the economic empowerment plan for vulnerable groups in Sleman, especially those who are truly affected by the pandemic.”

“The European Union is proud to support the I AM SAFE project to overcome the health crisis caused by COVID-19 and to reduce the economic and social impact it has on the people of Indonesia, especially the poor and vulnerable groups. This project is part of the 'Team Europe' package to assist Indonesia in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, with a total budget value of €200 million (IDR 3.5 trillion). The I AM SAFE project will provide personal protective equipment (PPE) for health workers, offers telemedicine and mobile health services to facilitate access to health care, referrals to health care facilities according to patient needs, provision of nutritional packages, psychosocial support, and fulfillment of basic needs for vulnerable groups who are severely affected by the COVID‑19 crisis," said EU Ambassador Vincent Piket. "This project also provides support to the private sector with a focus on women-owned small to medium sized enterprises to reactivate their businesses with product diversification strategies and market development. This will improve sustainable livelihoods and bring concrete benefits to around 2.9 million people in Yogyakarta and NTT,” he added.

In implementing the I AM SAFE project in East Nusa Tenggara, HI collaborates with CIS Timor, an organisation working on development and community empowerment issues. In Yogyakarta, HI collaborates with SIGAB, an organisation that actively advocates for the rights of persons with disabilities.

Today’s launch event in particular seeks to encourage the commitment of policy makers to work together and create synergies with ongoing efforts to prevent and mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and to ensure that every response, especially access and services, is inclusive, so that no one is left behind.

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About EU’s coronavirus response in Indonesia

To support partner countries in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences, the EU has launched the “Team Europe” approach. The objective of the “Team Europe” approach is to combine resources from the EU, its Member States and European financial institutions. “Team Europe” has mobilised around €200 million in grants and loans to support Indonesia. 6 million or IDR 108.5 billion in grants are dedicated to support civil society organisations to address the health and socioeconomic impact of the COVID-19 crisis in Indonesia.

More info: https://bit.ly/TeamEuropeIndonesia

About European Union

The European Union (EU) is an economic and political union between 27 Member States. Together, they have built a zone of stability, democracy and sustainable development whilst maintaining cultural diversity, tolerance and individual freedoms. In 2012, the EU was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for advancing the causes of peace, reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe. The EU is the largest trade block in the world; as well as the world's largest source and destination of foreign direct investment. Collectively, the EU and its Member States are the largest donor of Official Development Assistance (ODA), providing more than half of ODA globally.

About Humanity & Inclusion

Humanity & Inclusion (HI) is the operating name of Handicap International Federation, established in 1982, a humanitarian and non-governmental organization that works in situations of extreme poverty, conflicts and disasters. The federation is composed of 8 national associations which are France, Germany, Belgium, Canada, USA, Luxembourg, UK and Switzerland. HI has been working in Indonesia since 2005 and contributing to emergency, post-emergency responses, inclusive education, and rights of persons with disabilities. HI works with the Ministry of Social Affairs in implementing activities to ensure persons with disabilities and the vulnerable groups  can have better access for  services, voice their basic needs in the development and advocate for inclusive policies.