Summaries
Overview
Indonesia: Numerous surveys are now under way, conducted by a variety of agencies. A complete picture of the needs is still required and GoI, the UN and NGOs are urgently pursuing this. The rough planning estimate of 500,000 IDPs has not changed for some days, and it appears that the focus has moved from discussion of absolute numbers to the finer details of the relief and recovery strategy. This is encouraging progress. GoI travel restrictions not currently affecting the relief effort. There is an increasing sense that the GoI's coordination mechanisms are feeling the strain.
Bomb threat to embassy: British and Thai Embassies in Jakarta received bomb threats on 13 January.
The international response is assessed to be at the following stages for the countries covered by this sitrep:
Indonesia: Substantial relief operation now covering most areas. Assessments continue. Government asserting greater control. Planning for reconstruction and recovery ongoing. GoI needs support in coordinating this.
Sri Lanka: In recovery stage.
Indian mainland: In recovery stage.
Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Improved coordination, operation well under way.
Maldives: Operation in full swing. Some equipment needs remain.
Top priorities continue to be to:
- Get coordination mechanisms fully operational.
- Complete strategies for DFID funding for the medium term, by country.
- Unblock remaining logistic bottlenecks.
- Ensure the right key personnel are in place.
- Provide assistance where requested by field teams.
Key Issues
Indonesia
Bomb threat against British Embassy Jakarta 13 January: Embassy building closed. Thai Embassy Jakarta also received bomb threat. Travel restrictions not currently affecting relief effort. Government states all foreign military assets must leave the region by 26 March. Government intends to accommodate IDPs in 21 camps for 2 years. CARE and OXFAM both have helicopters in the area. Interagency assessment continues, including HIC staff. UNOHCIO reports 1 latrine per 1,000 IDPs in Aceh Besar. WFP report 503,000 people require food aid. IDPs refuse used clothing. UN-GoI Disaster Management Centre experiencing communications difficulties due to lack of Internet availability.
Sri Lanka
Government's current intent is that IDPs will be relocated from schools and government buildings to displacement camps or other shelter within a short time frame. Discussions on transitional shelter issues continue between UNHCR and the government. Government request for 50,000 tents revised: 15,000 already in country sufficient. Government shelter strategy being developed for 17 January. Urgent need for shelter, water and sanitation for camps. UN reports 80% of fishing fleet was wiped out by the tsunami.
Indian - mainland
Moving from relief to reconstruction on the mainland. Focus turns to livelihoods support and psychosocial care. Government requests assistance from World Bank and Asian Development Bank for reconstruction and rehabilitation work. Joint assessment to be undertaken around 24 January for a duration of two weeks.
India - Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Still no clear picture of situation in hardest hit Nicobar islands. Measles and vitamin A campaign wraps up with high coverage reported. 35,962 persons remain in 106 relief camps.
Maldives
Pressing need for additional water purification equipment although all islands have at least 3-4 days supply. Government still requesting additional vessels for transport of relief goods. Inter-agency field assessment preliminary report indicates a need for livelihood support. Government to give a lump sum payment to those whose homes were destroyed (approx 63,000).
Somalia
Assessment of number of people affected difficult; current estimate by EU and implementing partners put number of the most affected people lies between 5,000 and 10,000.
Key events and meetings
Tuesday 18 to Saturday 22 January: The World Conference on Disaster Reduction due to be held in Kobe, Japan. It will include a special session on the tsunami disaster.
Wednesday 19 & Thursday 20 January: Indonesian Government hosts Consultative Group meeting.
Wednesday 19 to Sunday 30 January: EU presidency visit to affected region. Friday 21 January: IMF Board meeting consider paper on IMF emergency assistance in response to natural disasters.
Monday 31 January: The EU General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) meeting will review an action plan covering all EU (Commission, Secretariat and Member States) plans for improving disaster response.
Key statistics
International media quote total death toll figures of over 156,000. Egeland estimates pledges now total between $3 billion and $4 billion.
DFID response to date
This section summarises DFID action since the start of the crisis. New developments are in bold/italic.
DFID Planning
1. DFID planning priorities remain:
- Press for full assessment information where gaps remain, particularly Aceh.
- Press UN to determine consolidated needs in terms of assets, human resources and relief supplies.
- Fly fuel bladders and pumps and prefabricated warehousing for the UN from Brindisi to Aceh. First three of the four loads now in Banda Aceh; fourth load (last of the warehousing) in transit.
- 2 Light Utility helicopters, under command of Australian military, now in Banda Aceh and available for humanitarian relief tasking.
- Fly 3,750 tents to Indonesia. All delivered to Kuala Lumpur; UNDP to oversee onward transport to Indonesia.
- Fly 5 Land Rovers, fitted with radios for UN Security Coordinator (UNSECOORD) personnel in Aceh, delivered to UNSECOORD Jakarta.
- Deliver further high-priority UN equipment to the region, in conjunction with the MOD.
- Fly 15 Land Rovers, fitted with radios , for OCHA personnel in Indonesia. Vehicles purchased, being fitted with radios; flight to Medan scheduled for 21 January.
DFID funding to date
2. £75 million announced by DFID/HMT for the tsunami response. Funds allocated to date are given below. Total £28,291,443.
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