Handicap International works in Ind

Handicap International works in Indonesia to ensure people with disabilities are able to access public services including health and education, and to promote the full participation of people with disabilities in public life.

The organisation’s programmes focus on four key areas: physical rehabilitation; the promotion of rights; inclusive education; and ensuring that people with disabilities are included in humanitarian relief planning and responses after a natural disasters.

A man in a wheelchair smiling during a rehabilitation session, Indonesia
© Ph. Merchez/Handicap International

Handicap International launched its operations in Indonesia in January 2005, when it provided victims of the tsunami in Aceh province with physiotherapy services, psychological assistance and financial support in order to help survivors rebuild their lives. The organisation now works in a wider variety of fields via its office in Yogyakarta.
Key facts

The discrimination and stigmatisation of people with disabilities is particularly prevalent in some of the country's poorer and remote provinces. People with disabilities can be hidden away by their families, so we know very little about their lives, further reducing their chances of equal treatment. It is difficult for people with disabilities to access some basic services. Where services are available they are often understaffed and do not respond adequately to the needs of disabled people.

After a long period of advocacy by disabled people's organisations, the Indonesia government ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2011.

• Human development Index: 121st out of 187
• Life expectancy: 69.8 years
• Population: 245 million
Source: UNDP HDR 2013
Stories from the field

Indonesia flooding
Flooding in Indonesia: Handicap International helping the most vulnerable people
Indonesia, July 2013. Following heavy rainfall in the province of Nusa Tanggara Timur at the beginning of the month, the region has been hit by serious flooding. Handicap International launched an immediate emergency response and is currently providing the most vulnerable people with essential supplies and equipment.

Emergency response in Indonesia
Large-scale response following 2009 earthquake
Indonesia, July 2010. Cédric Bérard is the head of Handicap International's emergency response in Indonesia, launched following the earthquake that hit the Padang region in September 2009.

Intervention after the earthquake in Padang
Six months after the earthquake in Padang, emergency aid continues
Indonesia, March 2010. On Wednesday 30th September 2009, a violent earthquake hit the western coast of the Indonesian island of Sumatra, resulting in several thousands of deaths.


Our projects
emergency logo
Disaster Risk Management

Goal: To build the capacity of partners, local authorities and other organisations to ensure that the needs of children, women, people with disabilities and other potentially vulnerable groups are effectively included in community disaster risk reduction projects. The project runs in Nusa Tenggara Timur province.
Beneficiaries: People with disabilities, women and children in three districts of Nusa Tenggara Timur province, local and international partners, disabled people's organisations and government representatives.
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Physical rehabilitation

Goal: To work together with local partners to make existing health services more accessible for people with disabilities and to improve the quality and inclusiveness of those services.
Beneficiaries: People with disabilities in eight districts of Aceh province.
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Inclusive education

Goal: To promote inclusive education in eight schools in the districts of Batu Layar, Jonggat and Narmada.
Beneficiaries: Around 400 children with disabilities and their families, disabled people's organisations and service providers.
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Promoting the rights of people with disabilities

Goal: To promote the rights of people with disabilities in Indonesia at national and provincial levels by supporting disabled people's organisations, NGOs and other local and national actors raising awareness and conducting advocacy on the rights of people with disabilities.
Beneficiaries: People with disabilities across the country.
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