22 - 28 March 2002
1. NATURAL DISASTERS

Rain-induced flash floods in Nias Island, North Sumatra, killed nine people on Wednesday (27 Mar.), according to AFP. At least 10 villages were inundated.

An earthquake of a magnitude of 5.5 to 5.7 on the Richter scale hit Halmahera, North Maluku, at 1.38N and 128.05E, with a depth of 117km on Saturday (23 Mar.). No casualty was reported.

In South Kalimantan, haze from forest fires covered the capital city of Banjarmasin, reducing the visibility to only 10 metres, according to Antara on Saturday (23 Mar.). Smoke has also clouded parts of Sumatra Island since the past week.

Landslides and floods hit 11 sub-districts in Jayawijaya District, Papua, over the last three months, according to a report by the Cendrawasih Pos on Saturday (23 Mar.). The local government distributed 11.3 MT of rice to the victims.

2. ACEH (Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam)

General Situation

News media reported that during the week 14 people - 3 civilians, 8 alleged GAM members, and 3 security officers - were killed in the province.

Military spokesman Maj. Zaenal Muttaqin said three Indonesian workers of a sub-contractor of the state-own Pertamina oil company have been held since 16 March by GAM, according to news media. He said GAM is demanding a ransom of Rp2 billion (USD200,000). Pertamina's public relations chief, Ridwan Nyak Baik, confirmed the kidnapping that happened in Kuala Simpang, East Aceh.

Assessments

OCHA conducted an assessment mission from 21 to 24 March to visit Acehnese IDP sites in North Sumatra. The vast majority of the IDPs are located in Langkat District. OCHA visited two remote sites in Seilepan Sub-district in Langkat, and in Pancing areas of Medan city. The mission also met with Social Welfare and Satkorlak officials to talk about the local government's latest policies on IDPs. The Social Welfare officials said that the government would continue to distribute assistance to IDPs and that the most recent one was conducted on 8 February. It consisted of 1,100 MT of rice and Rp8.9 billion (USD890,000) side-dish money for 66,000 people in the province. The mission confirmed the receiving of assistance with the IDPs at each site, but the amount of assistance varied from one site to another. IDPs in the city of Medan received 12 kg of rice and Rp164,000 per person, whereas IDPs in remote areas received 9 kg of rice and Rp94,000 per person. Lack of other assistance and services was evident, especially in isolated areas.

CARDI conducted an assessment on emergency resettlement sites through its local partners, Yadesa and SSG, in Pidie, Bireuen, North Aceh, and East Aceh districts. Based on this assessment, the resettlement programme will be implemented by the government in 21 different villages in Pidie, Bireuen, North Aceh, East Aceh, and South Aceh districts. CARDI will include household kits and income generating supplies such as fishing boats, hand tractors, seeds and fertilizers in its distribution programme.

Water and Sanitation

CARDI identified 18 new sites (12 in Pidie, two in Bireuen, two in East Aceh, and two in North Aceh districts) for its ongoing programme of the construction and rehabilitation of water and sanitation facilities that currently covered 21 sites.

PKBI, a local partner of CARDI, completed last week the hygiene education campaign in 14 sites in Central Aceh. The campaign will proceed next week in six new sites in Bireuen and North Aceh districts.

During the week, CARDI transferred 2,000 family kits to its local partner, Muhammadiyah, who transported the kits to IDPs in Central Aceh and East Aceh districts.

3. MALUKU

General Situation

There were no serious security incidents reported this week. Ambon was calm with more people crossing the communal borders. In the outlaying villages of Ambon Island, more of the two rivalling communities were interacting with each other but at the same time exercising caution.

The voluntary surrender of weapons continued in Ambon City but police reported that very few organic weapons were included. The deadline for the handover is 31 March.

Socialisation of the Malino II Agreements is continuing throughout Maluku by Christian and Muslim leaders. There is, however, a general dissatisfaction in both communities at the slow implementation of the security apparatus dealing with law and order issues.

Health

MSF-B's assessment of children's health in Rimba Raya Camp in Ambon showed that almost 10 percent of the children were suffering from malnutrition, over two percent of them severe malnutrition. The INGO conducted a nutrition survey of IDPs in that area on Wednesday (27 Mar.) to further investigate the problem. Their outreach team made 710 consultations and vaccinated 470 children in South Buru this week.

The government was establishing a Trauma Counselling Centre in Ambon. IMC is working with the health authorities on traumatic training for local staff to begin sometime next month.

Water and Sanitation

MSF-B completed the construction of a well and is currently constructing a washing facility for Ruko Batumerah IDP camp, Ambon City. Routine rehabilitation of latrines is continuing at Suzuki Camp, Ambon City, and Buano area in West Seram.

Mercy Corps reported that local NGOs at their coordinating meeting on Wednesday (27 Mar.) asked for the criteria and guidelines for water and sanitation projects. Mercy Corps will work with MSF-B and CARDI on this matter.

Education

SC UK opened a Children Resource Centre in Ambon last Friday (22 Mar.). The Centre will facilitate and support activities of children from both communities, such as educational games and discussions. The INGO also had focused group discussions on 25-28 March with 40 children and young people of Christians and Muslims directly involved in armed conflicts. SC-UK will also be working with the local education authorities to support four schools in Ambon City involved in the integration of both Christian and Muslim students. The INGO will assist in the process of sensitising and training of the teachers, children, and parents.

Planned Activities

UNICEF is planning a workshop on the Rights of the Child and AIDS Awareness for military and police personnel in May this year.

Other

On Tuesday (26 Mar.), a fire believed to be caused by a short-circuit at the IMC residence in Ambon destroyed a large quantity of drugs and other materials stored on the premises.

4. NORTH MALUKU

Assessments and Monitoring

IMC mobile clinic boat left Ternate port on Sunday (24 Mar.) for a one-week health assessment and services on Bacan and Obi Islands.

WHO medical coordinator for North Maluku and two malaria consultants visited Bacan and Kayoa sub-districts 25-27 March to assess malaria and the general state of health services at the health centres in the area. The team noticed major constraints such as progressive deterioration of infrastructure, poor attention to patients, decreased immunization coverage and expensive boat transport for referral to the puskesmas or hospital.

Health

From 25 to 28 March, 10 government health staff attended a WHO sponsored clinical malaria training course in Sidangoli (Jailolo Sub-district).

IMC support to health service in the province attended 833 patients this week at the puskesmas in Tobelo, Galela, Posi-posi Rao, Bere-bere, Daruba, and IDP camps in Ternate City. Common diseases and conditions seen include malaria, upper respiratory tract infection, skin disease, gastro-intestinal disorders, and parasites. The organization has completed the rehabilitation of a Polindes (village maternity hut) in Lalonga and a pustu of Dokulamo village in Sahu Sub-district. In cooperation with both health and public works officials, IMC is funding the rehabilitation of the puskesmas and the houses for a doctor and a paramedic in Sahu Sub-district.

ICRC distributed essential WHO standard drug kits to Ternate and Tidore hospitals and several puskesmas in the province this week.

WVI carried out training for cadres and organized and supported the cleaning of 14 IDP camps in Ternate city during this week. Health information campaign through the media and local press targeting community in Ternate City continued.

Education

WVI have identified 10 elementary schools in Malifut, Kao, Tobelo, and Galela as a focus for its rehabilitation and education intervention activities.

Economic Recovery and Infrastructure

WVI distributed fishing kits in 30 villages in Kao, Malifut, Tobelo, and Galela this week. It provided assistance for community infrastructure rehabilitation by collecting and delivering sand, stones, and gravel to construction sites in various villages of returnees in the same area throughout the week. WVI distributed 10 units housing kits (21 square metres) each in Wangeotak village of Kao Sub-district and in Takome and Gamlamo villages of Malifut Sub-district.

During 19-26 March, ICMC facilitated a one-week workshop organized by six local NGOs to boost participatory learning and action process on IDP needs and the steps for strategic planning.

5. PAPUA

General Situation

Local media reported on Wednesday (27 Mar.) that the Indonesian military has detained at least three soldiers for questioning over their suspected involvement in the murder of Theys Hiyo Eluay, chairman of the Papua Council Presidium. Military sources said at least three Kopassus members-a major, a captain and a low-ranking soldier-may have been involved in the killing. However, Kopassus Commander Maj. Gen. Amirul Isnaini denied the possible involvement of his members. Earlier, spokesman for the Indonesian Military Headquarters, Maj. Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, confirmed that there were indications of the involvement of military personnel in the killing.

The Institution for the Cooperation of Christian Churches in Sorong urged the government to stop the activities of the Laskar Jihad in the area, and confiscate their propaganda materials (leaflets, bulletins, VCDs of the Maluku conflict) that it claimed could disturb religious harmony in Sorong. It also questioned the presence and purpose of a number of Pakistanis there.

Population Movements

Head of the Office for Border Liaison in Merauke, Sabdono, said that some 6,000 Papuan refugees currently in Papua New Guinea have expressed their desire to return to Merauke. He said local authorities were working closely with the PNG government to prepare for their return. He said resettlement sites along the borderline at Merauke were being prepared and almost ready.

Education

Nabire education official Blasius Nuhuyanan said that the lack of teachers and poor school building conditions had caused 31 elementary schools throughout Jayawijaya District to stop activities. He said there was a need for 400 teachers of elementary, junior, and senior high schools in Jayawijaya.

Health

Chairperson of the Biak Numfor Chapter of the Indonesian Midwives Union, Rosalina Mayor said there is a shortage of midwives in the sub-districts of Padaido Island and North and South Supiori.

6. WEST TIMOR

General Situation

Pos Kupang reported that around 200 former students of the East Timor University (Untim) and East Timorese refugees staged a demonstration at the Prosecutor's Office of Kefamenanu and the district's parliament building on Monday (25 Mar.). They objected to the trial in Jakarta of the former East Timor governor Abilio Soares, and the militia leaders, Eurico Guterres and Manuel da Souso.

Refugees/Repatriation

Twenty-six East Timor refugee leaders from North Central Timor (TTU) District ended their 3-day reconciliation visit in Oecusse, East Timor last week. The visit produced an agreement to hold a traditional ceremony at the border on Sunday (31 Mar.) involving 18 tribes as a sign of commitment to peaceful future.

UNHCR in Dili reported that the number of refugees returning to East Timor from 21 to 27 March is 1,207 persons. The total number of returnees for the month of March as of 27 March is 3,609.

Bakornas PBP, supported by UNHCR, convened a meeting in Kuta, Bali, on 21-23 March to evaluate the handling of East Timorese refugees in West Timor. Working groups discussed the ongoing information campaign, repatriation, and the resettlement planning. The meeting produced a number of action plans including an extension of government assisted repatriation timeframe until the end of July 2002. The participants included central and provincial government officials, OCHA, FAO, IOM, WFP, UNDP Indonesia, UNDP East Timor, UNTAET, UNICEF, UNHCR, CRS, CARE, and JRS.

Selected Abbreviations Key

Bakornas PBP	National Coordinating Board for the Management of Disaster and IDPs/Refugees
Brimob	Police Mobile Brigade
Bulog	National Logistics Agency
GAM	Free Aceh Movement
IDP	Internally displaced person
Komnas HAM	National Commission on Human Rights
Kopassus	Army's Special Force
Kostrad	Army's Strategic Reserve Command
MCK	Combined Bathing, Washing and Latrine Facility
OPM	Free Papua Organisation
PMI	Indonesian Red Cross
Posyandu	Integrated health service
Puskesmas	Primary health centre
Pustu	Primary health unit
Satkorlak PBP	Provincial Coordinating Unit for the Management of Disaster and IDPs/Refugees
Satlak PBP	District Executing Unit for the Management of Disaster and IDPs/Refugees
TNI	Indonesian Armed Forces

This report and all previous ones can be found on OCHA's website at www.reliefweb.int

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