Institute of Integrated Rural Development (IIRD)

Programs and Services

IIRD interventions are of two major types: Social Service Activities and Economic Empowerment Activities

IIRD takes direct social action by: securing housing for the poorest of the poor; providing sources of drinking water and equipment for sanitation; engaging in women's development and job training; operating schools for primary education; supplying healthcare and nutrition education; and providing disaster management and flood relief when needed.

IIRD provides economic empowerment by: establishing small rural industries; engaging in afforestation, sericulture, tissue culture, horticulture, agriculture and irrigation programs; creating resettlement projects for the landless and homeless; developing fishery cooperatives and livestock and poultry enterprises; providing micro-credits and saving opportunities; supporting environmental activities; and developing rural infrastructure projects.

Main Problems of the Poor

Food insecurity Unemployment and low income Housing Health

Education Low status of women Lack of opportunities for women Lack of assets (land, capital, skills)

IIRD's Long-Term Solution

A model of poverty eradication whereby:

• Every target family is surveyed and classified
• Social workers maintain daily contact with them and know each family's particular needs
• Development interventions planned together with the poor and the social workers
• Their problems are taken into account and development projects are designed accordingly
• Social workers undertake implementation of the solution with the families
• Technical personnel ensure quality assistance
• Workers stay in contact with families even after their situation has improved and families have graduated from poverty