Mt. Sinabung Recovery Support Programme (SIRESUP)

The Sinabung Recovery Support Programme (SIRESUP) is a joint programme in supporting the post-disaster recovery of the regions affected by the 2013 Mt. Sinabung volcanic eruptions in Karo District of North Sumatra. The joint programme is designed to improve sustainable livelihoods recovery and enhanced community resilience in affected areas through strengthening local capacity in post-disaster recovery measures, restoring livelihoods and developing economic opportunities, and incorporating risk-reduction principles.

Project Background

Mt. Sinabung in Karo District of North Sumatra erupted on 29 August 2010 which caused displacement of 12,000 people. Soon after, the volcanic activities decreased and increased again in September 2013 causing displacement of 15,000 people. Since then, the volcanic activities decreased to Alert Level 2 in the end of September 2013. In October 2013 the volcanic activities increased again up to Alert Level 3 on 3 November 2013. In response to the crisis, Local Government then called for a state of emergency. Noting that the volcano was more active, its status was raised to Alert Level 4 on 24 November, and the corresponding state of emergency was extended until 7 December 2013.

Until today, Mt. Sinabung in North Sumatera Province continues to experience high volcanic activity since 4 January 2014. The eruption of smoke is followed by volcanic ashes, small materials and pyroclastic flow to 4-5 km to southeast. Volcanic tremors continue. Ashes and volcanic materials with diameter of 2-6 cm are damaging the crops in the affected areas. As the eruption activities continued more intensively from January onwards, more people sought refuge to a number of IDPs hosting facilities in the district. Based on OCHA report dated 21 January 2014, the number of IDPs has increased to 28,536 persons or 8,967 households, who come from 31 villages of four sub-districts within Karo District, and are hosted in 42 displacement centers. In addition, the displaced families came from 34 villages of four sub districts within Karo District and were hosted in 42 displacement centers.

To support the recovery in Karo District, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) have formulated a joint programme focusing on:

  • Strengthening capacities of national and local authorities to coordinate post-disaster early recovery and recovery measures;
  • Strengthening capacities of national and local authorities to plan and implement post-disaster recovery measures;
  • Restoring livelihoods and developing economic opportunities of the affected population; and
  • Ensuring risk-reduction principles are incorporated in recovery measures.

Project Output

The outcome of The Mt. Sinabung Recovery Support Programme (SIRESUP) is the following:

Communities affected by the 2013-2014 Mt. Sinabung eruption recover with sustainable livelihoods and enhanced resilience.

In order to achieve the above outcome, the UNDP, FAO, and ILO will work together on the joint programme on four identified core outputs as follows:

  • Output 1: Local authorities have the capacity to coordinate post-disaster early recovery and recovery measures;
  • Output 2: Local authorities have the capacity to plan and implement post-disaster recovery activities;
  • Output 3: Rapid restoration of livelihoods and development of economic opportunities; and
  • Output 4: Risk-reduction principles incorporated in recovery measures.

Project Description

Further support to the project outcome, especially output 3, the joint programme will create the following activities: (1) support a livelihood concept, strategy and implementation, with specific targets and strategies or the IDP’s and returnees; (2) creating income generation projects; (3) restoring agricultural livelihoods; and (4) improving the capacity of micro and small enterprises started by IPDs through provision of financial education and entrepreneurship training including women and youth.

To compliment the recovery and enhance the sustainability of livelihoods in the Karo District, the 4 in 1 methodology who once successfully implemented during ILO EAST and Mentawai Islands Livelihoods Recovery Projects will be applied. This 4 in 1 training will be integrated with strengthening local capacities in micro and small enterprises development.

Key Partners

  • Ministry of Manpower
  • Employers’ Association of Indonesia (Apindo)
  • Trade Union Confederations
  • Indonesia Multi Donor Fund Facility for Disaster Recovery (IMDFF-DR)
  • National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas)
  • National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB)
  • Regional Development Planning Agency (Bappeda)
  • Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD)
  • United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
  • United Nations Development Program (UNDP)
  • United Nations Resident Coordinator (UNRC)

For further information please contact:

Mr Irham Saifuddin
Programme Officer
ILO Country Office for Indonesia and Timor-Leste
Tel.: +62 21 391 3112
Fax.: +61 21 310 0766
Email