Executive Summary

				Island Aid Objectives Island Aid is a non-aligned volunteer organization that utilizes an innovative ocean-based delivery network to provide emergency and long-term humanitarian assistance to communities affected by natural disasters. This network of vessels, known as the ‘Sea-Bridge’, has succeeded where other humanitarian efforts have failed and remains the most effective and sustainable solution to filling the gaps in reconstruction support to tens of thousands of tsunami and quake survivors. These communities remain unassisted, or inadequately assisted, for a variety of reasons, including: geographical isolation; inaccessibility by air or road; limitations of organizations’ time, funds and agendas; or low population densities that fail to attract sufficient attention. ISLAND-AID has formulated innovative plans to assist these people rebuild their communities and their lives. As a smaller organization, ISLAND-AID maintains the flexibility to rapidly implement initiatives that complement the programs of larger agencies.

				History The organization germinated in the hours following the apocalyptic Indian Ocean tsunami of December 26, 2004. Founders Rick Cameron and Jane Liddon sprang into action within hours and their boat, the Electric Lamb, was the first aid vessel on the scene in Aceh. In the following months ISLAND-AID continued to be the first, and sometimes the only, organization to reach many remote communities.

				Isolated Community Support (ICS) – Sumatra is an ISLAND-AID initiative, ensuring isolated communities in affected areas receive appropriate and sustained assistance. In the first six months of the ICS operation, ISLAND- AID has distributed over 650 tons of emergency supplies; facilitated the treatment of more than 7,700 patients; received US$500,000 in donations; and deployed over 200 volunteers. During the first four months of the ICS program, the 800-ton ex-ferry KM Batavia served as the mother-ship: carrying medical teams and volunteers, medicine, food, shelter materials, body bags, bottled water, sanitation supplies and clothing. Batavia anchored near towns and villages, then beach landing boats were used to ferry aid to beaches, river mouths, small islands and into ports that were too badly damaged to be used by larger vessels.

				The Future ICS is a dynamic and responsive initiative, with clearly defined goals and timeframes, focusing on the long-term, sustainable re-development of communities. However, of equal importance, ISLAND-AID remains continually prepared for rapid emergency response in the event of future natural disasters. Central to all these plans was the deployment of a large vessel to serve as the integral component, or ‘mother-ship’, in the Sea-Bridge network: acting as the base for the transportation of aid, assistance teams and equipment. While negotiating mother ship funding, ISLAND-AID continues to support areas of concern using the 18m motor sailing vessel Electric Lamb. The Artisanal Fishboat Program is designed to maximize the effectiveness of our current aid delivery resources and to maintain continuity of support from smaller donors.

Onolimbu (Nias) A fisherman looks at the wreckage of the fleet in despair. Over 200 small boats were lost or badly damages and almost all the boat engines in the village were destroyed by immersion.

				Ship Funding - Complementary Proposal Due to the urgency of the situation, the first phase of the mission utilized a chartered vessel. However it soon became apparent that the funds required to charter the Batavia for a year would be better used to purchase a superior vessel outright: thereby guaranteeing dedicated availability for ISLAND AID programs; increased flexibility and privacy in accommodating volunteers; more appropriate cargo capabilities; as well as a reduction in operating costs. A separate funding proposal is available covering ISLAND AID's mother-ship requirements.

			ARTISANAL FISHBOAT PROGRAM (AFP) This Artisanal Fishboat Program (AFP) is considered the highest priority for donor consideration. The project will involve the construction of the Air Manis Training Centre (AM-TC) on a peninsular just South of Padang. Training Centers A cable braced bamboo structure will be built to provide a sheltered boat building work area and an elevated office and administration space. The structure will be designed to withstand a mega quake and a moderate scale tsunami (3-4m) and to become a floating life-raft should a larger tsunami be experienced. This structure is low cost and can be relocated should that ever prove necessary. It can also be replicated and components pre-cut and supplied to remote locations as a multipurpose shelter and tsunami refuge combined. Regardless of the actual risk of further tsunamis in the region, the security of working in a quake proof structure that can also double as a tsunami refuge will help communities to overcome the long term effects of trauma and loss of family and friends. If the Air Manis TC is no longer required, the building can be used for a fish market, net repairs, fisher association headquarters or as a community center for sports and youth activities as deemed best by the local residents. Replicas of this building in remote villages could also be used for temporary schools or aid distribution points. The proposed buildings are far more durable than tents and more dignified. Our experience with tents leaves us convinced that they are welcome at first but prolonged use of leaky hot and cramped tents is very detrimental for community and aid provider's morale. Prototype Development The AMTC will focus on the development and construction of prototype boats for the different fisheries and requirements found between Benkulu in the South and Sabang in the North. The rights to proven designs from other successful aid programs will be purchased or negotiated on a royalty basis and technical experts employed at nominal rates if site visits and travel to Padang is required. The focus will be on building small boats in kit form that can be transported economically to target areas with the assistance of other NGOs and donors. This first wave of boats will be development prototypes to confirm that designs are acceptable to the end users. Inevitably there will be modifications and design refinements suggested after evaluation trials. Once these changes have been incorporated in the second wave of boats, production of kits for remote assembly yards can commence. A third wave of 'Production Boats' will be sold via micro credit schemes and so ongoing production will not require funding. Full funding is requested for 3 generations of each boat design and only one or two of each will be built. Multipurpose Assembly Centers Priority will be given to the construction of multi-purpose assembly centers in remote fisher villages. These structures will be highly visible and designed to inspire and encourage the communities they serve. Additional donor support will determine the number of these buildings that can be erected. Each assembly center will have an administration office equipped with a low altitude satellite phones (Biru PSN. The aim is to make regular communications between Island Aid's AMTC and the remote centers possible at low cost. The phones will be available to the community on a user pays basis and in most cases this telephone link will be the first and only such service available to the residents. AFP Supplementary Programs (Not included in AFP budget - funded separately) The availability of a public telephone link where none has ever existed, will guarantee visitation by the entire community making it easy and efficient to introduce a number of concurrent but independently funded supplementary programs aimed at enhancing the empowerment of women, the health of infants and the education of children. Supplementary programs will include:

			Sanitation - Composting Toilets

			Clean Water - Aqua Box

			Water Storage - Bamboo tanks

			Home lighting - LED + Photovoltaic

			Tsunami Refuges - Bamboo towers/ Tsunami Arks

			AFP Funding The total donor funding requested is USD$275,000. This funding will cover: $75,000 - Site works & construction of the Training Center $50,000 - Operational costs, field training mission costs & overheads (12 months) $60,000 - Tools & Equipment $40,000 - Materials for prototype construction $50,000 - Technical assistance & Administration $275,000 TOTAL As an IRS 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation, ISLAND-AID (via ELM) can offer donors attractive tax concessions.

The appalling condition of this Air Manis fishing boat leaves no doubt as to the urgent need for improved designs and technology in the boat building sector.

			AFP Project Life-span Funding is sought for the first 12 months of AFCS activities. During this period other donors and the public will be approached to fund the ongoing needs of the project and hopefully its expansion and growth to service more communities in the region. The experience of other agencies in India who are working in similar fields supports the need for this kind of project requires external funding for about 5 years. After that point, the Training Center hopefully can be handed over to a competent fishermen's association or to a local NGO. Products should be sold to end users at prices high enough to cover on-going administration and growth requirements. It is important that the Training Center does not compete with private sector boat builders or small enterprises that are established to produce and market the products and technology that will be introduced. The aim of the Training Center will be to encourage small enterprise in each of the communities and to manage the import and assembly of any components that can not be sourced locally and to offer free advice and technical support to these enterprises.

				AFP Management & Application of Funds This AFCS project will be managed by ISLAND-AID’s seasoned Board Of Directors, which includes individuals with a comprehensive understanding of local cultures and aspirations, extensive experience in marine operations in the region and involvement in local sustainable tourism planning. An Advisory Board consisting of major donors and experts in the field supports the Directors. Prudent financial management has enabled ISLAND-AID to minimize administration costs to 6.2% of total revenue to date.

			Precedent in Region The success of the introduction of modern plywood-epoxy stitch and tape boats to South India is of great significance to the situation that Indonesia fishermen now face. Until last year, illegal logging and subsidized fuel have combined to create an unsustainable fish boat infrastructure in this country. Recent changes will force fishermen to adopt new solutions or to find other work. Isolation combined with rising transport costs and a 5 year foreign investment drought have combined to make alternative labor opportunities almost non-existent for most of these island communities.

Philosophy
ISLAND-AID’s unique approach to aid distribution and relief work has proven to be highly effective. Field research and feedback indicates ongoing assistance of this nature is critically required. ISLAND-AID is poised to fully utilize the capacity of the new mother-ship as soon as it is secured but while we we are negotiating with donors, our field initiatives continue to fill needs that other agencies have bypassed.

ISLAND-AID combine a comprehensive local-knowledge base and dynamic, innovative problem-solving techniques with a commitment to providing effective, efficient and sustainable support to isolated communities devastated by the earthquakes and the tsunami. Technology that has proven viable in other countries will be introduced to the target area with technical support of the NGOs and agencies that have a track record of success.

To the best of our knowledge the technologies and methods detailed in this proposal have not yet been funded or introduced in tsunami and quake impacted areas generally and they certainly have not been implemented in the very remote communities that have been our top priority from the first day of our aid efforts.

Slide Show of location and condition of fleet
in the vicinity of the Artisanal Fisheries Training Center:
http://homepage.mac.com/rickcameron/ELM_Fishery_Support/PhotoAlbum39.html

Conclusion
To reverse the declining standard of living in the fisheries sector is of great importance given the large number of people impacted in Indonesia. Many already live in extreme poverty, and it is critical that new technical solutions are developed and tested quickly. It is widely understood that extreme poverty combined with near zero opportunities is a sure recipe for environmental vandalism and other illegal activities. The geophysical nature of Indonesia with over 13,000 islands makes this issue one of great importance for the future stability of the region.

See Appendix E for a BBC article
covering the future tsunami risk
assessment by some of the world
leading seismologists.

			Our Appeal Providing funding for ISLAND-AID represents a very real opportunity to dramatically improve the lives of tens of thousands of people who would otherwise slip through the cracks of humanitarian assistance and into hopelessness. No one is better placed to assist these communities, however ISLAND-AID’s goals can only be realized with your help.

Live coral harvesting by fishermen with shrinking options