JIED: Drug and Development in the Urban Setting-Expanding Development-Oriented Interventions Beyond Illicit Drug Crop Cultivation

Sustainable Alternative Livelihood Development in Aceh

Basic Information

Time Frame

2006 – 2010

Location

Aceh, Indonesia

Area: 9 villages

Beneficiaries

8,434 people

Overview

This project proved to be extremely challenging due to the diverse issues in the area, from civil conflict, the Asian Tsunami, malaria infection, and the high number of physically handicapped.

MFLF therefore reinforced the public health system, providing treatment and prevention for malaria in Lamteuba and neighboring villages. A number of volunteers were brought to Thailand for training workshops with the Prostheses Foundation of HRH the Princess Mother so they could lead the training of the handicapped as well as medical personnel within their own communities.

To improve the quality of life of the villagers, MFLF set up the Sustainable Rural Development Center at Maheng Village which was promoted as a one-stop learning and demonstration center on irrigation, agriculture, livestock, and public hygiene. It is now a learning center for study visits by various delegations.

WHAT DO THE PEOPLE GET?

The malaria infection rate was reduced from

2.17%

to

0.07%

with no fatalities from 2006 to 2009.
The Prostheses Center produced

203 artificial legs

for Acehnese amputees in 5 years.
The Sustainable Rural Development Center at Maheng Village was able to generate an average income of

12,000 baht

(almost US$400)
for the community.

 

The Balkh Livestock and Rural Enterprise Development project, Balkh Province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

Basic Information

Time Frame

2006 – 2012

Location

Balkh Province

Area: 10 square kilometers, 15 villages

Beneficiaries

464 households

Overview

This project was initially funded by the Government of Belgium, with support from various other sectors, to revive the karakul sheep population, a valuable resource for the region.

The main responsibility for MFLF was livestock development planning that was designed to suit the geo-social environment, after which the Afghan government and local communities would implement the project themselves.

MFLF organized training programs for livestock volunteers, and set up a sheep bank. Each year, participants would exchange 10% of female lambs for veterinary services. These lambs would be presented to households who have requested loans to carry out their own livestock activities. This helped to rehabilitate the economy through social enterprise, raising the number of new livestock farms as well as the numbers of healthy sheep, while reducing their mortality rate.

This method allowed the villagers to help themselves as a form of capacity building.

WHAT DO THE PEOPLE GET?

A total of 287 sheep owners registered to join the program.

Veterinary services for participating livestock reduced the sheep mortality rate to

1.05%

Estimated savings from the decreased livestock mortality were approximately

70 million baht

(US$2,252,977).
Community livestock groups were formed for better bargaining power in the market, and to reset higher sale prices.

177 poor people without assets were able to get sheep loans.

Total value at approximately

56 million baht

(US$1,802,381)
Livestock produce such as dung and fleece
generated an

increased income

and

reduced household expenses.

mobile veterinary service business / women yarn spinning enterprise

Establish 1 mobile veterinary service business to offer outreach services in exchange for payment. The para-vets were able to earn a livelihood with a stable income. Some opened their own livestock pharmacy.


Women yarn spinning enterprise The women group received skills training and equipment suitable for spinning better quality yarn. The formation of a women group helped them earn an income while working at home.

Sustainable Alternative Livelihood Development Project, Yong Kha Village, Shan State

Basic Information

Time Frame

2002 – 2004

Location

Yong Kha Village, Shan State

Area: Approximately 14 villages

Beneficiaries

6,022 people

Overview

With the need to address drug-related issues and contagious diseases, it was necessary to build a strong public health system as a basic priority for the community.

Yong Kha Village in Shan State suffered from drug-related issues and contagious diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis and scabies. MFLF therefore launched a long-term public health development plan with emphasis on water and agriculture to provide food security before addressing income-generating activities in the community. Hospitals and schools were built, and local volunteers received training on public health, while school children were taught farming skills.

What do the people get?

Malaria infections dropped from

20%

to less than

2%

within 3 years, while malaria fatalities dropped to zero within 1 year
3,000 villagers helped dig an irrigation canal with a budget of

225,000 baht

(US$7,242),
increasing arable land by

2,000 rai

(1,159 hectares).
Villagers were able to grow sustenance and cash crops three times a year, with enough food to eat all year round.
The total investment in the project was

25,600,000 baht

(US$823,946),
or 4,240 baht (US$136) per person per year.

Within 3 years, the project generated economic benefits for the community in cash and in kind equivalent to

28,182,960 baht

(US$907,080),
or 4,680 baht (US$151) per person per year.