Oxfam GB :: Where we work

What we do: Campaign for change; Emergency response; Development work; Why we do it

Issues we work on: Climate change; Conflict and natural disasters; Health; Education; Debt and aid; Gender equality; The right to be heard; Global Food Crisis; Trade; Private sector

Where we work: Countries we work in

The impact of our work: In words and pictures; On video

Special features: History of Oxfam; Oxfam myths exposed; Take the Oxfam Quiz; Reshaping our world

Indonesia

Fishermen mend nets to prepare for another catch in Kulee village near Sigli, Aceh. Photo: Jim Holmes

In Indonesia, Oxfam's focus is on livelihoods, gender equality, fair trade, education and emergency work.

Dealing with disasters

Indonesia lies on volcanic fault lines and faces a range of natural hazards including tropical flooding, earthquakes and drought, in addition to persistent conflict.

255,000 lives lost to natural disasters and conflict over the last three years
1.4 million people displaced from their homes

How Oxfam is helping

We have a number of contingency plans to help us react quickly to emergency situations in Indonesia. We also run conflict-resolution projects in areas such as Aceh and Papua where armed separatist movements have forced people from their homes.

Oxfam distribution of supplies to those affected by flooding in Jakarta. Photo: Ariani Hasanah Soejoeti

The floods took all my belongings, I had nothing left apart from what I was wearing. The hygiene kits [Oxfam gave us] are important because they could help prevent potential health hazards.

Linda Arini, flood survivor, Jakarta

Learn more

Read more examples of our work in Indonesia:

ECHO (Humanitarian Aid Department of the European Commission) is a funding partner of Oxfam in Indonesia

Going organic

Many farmers in Indonesia rely on the help of chemical fertilisers to make a living from the land. Yet these can often prove expensive, and in many cases, bad for farmers' health.

How Oxfam is helping

We work with farmers to promote special organic farming methods that are less expensive to use, and produce greater yields. Oxfam also gives marketing advice so that farmers can earn the best possible price for their produce.

The quality is much better [now], and we can get a better price.

Ginem, rice farmer

Other development work

Focusing on gender equality
Helping shape government policies in favour of poor people and minorities

Oxfam's work in Indonesia in depth

Calling for fairer pay and conditions

Some 12 million people work in Indonesia's export-centred manufacturing industry. Yet unfair working conditions makes life for these unskilled workers particularly hard.

44 per cent of daily casual workers are paid below minimum wage
Women's wages are only around 68 per cent of those of male workers

Generally speaking, employers are looking to employ female workers – not because we are considered to be qualified, but because our wages tend to be lower.

Female garment worker, Jakarta

Oxfam believes that trade has the potential to reduce poverty. Yet current practices mean it is widening the gap between rich and poor, and men and women.

How Oxfam is helping

We support and strengthen civil society organisations to challenge unfair working conditions in Indonesia. We continue to urge multinational labour corporations to respect labour rights.

Want to help? Add your voice to the call for fairer trade rules