ACT Appeal Indonesia: Sectarian Violence - ASID-42

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Appeal Target: US$ 93,725
Balance Requested from ACT Alliance: US$ 83,725

Geneva, 6 May 2004

Dear Colleagues,

On 25 April 2004 fresh sectarian violence broke out in Ambon, the Maluku provincial capital. The clashes were sparked off by a rally staged by the separatist Maluku Sovereignty Front (FKM) celebrating the 54th anniversary of the proclamation of a South Maluku Republic (RMS). This was the worst violence since an agreement in February 2002 ended three years of sectarian fighting in which some 5,000 persons died.

Ambon is now quieter after a week of conflict and unrest, however rumours continue about further attacks on civilians. The two communities are again segregated even though people understand that it is not a "religion" based issue.

The figures of 4 May 2004 show that more than 2,598 Muslim and Christian families (over 10,000 people) are displaced, 40 people have been killed and more than 270 persons injured. Social and economic interaction is disrupted, especially in the conflict area.

ACT members YAKKUM (Yayasan Kristen untuk Kesehatan Umum - Christian Foundation for Public Health) Emergency Unit (YEU) and Yayasan Tanggul Bencana (YTB) are proposing assisting the most vulnerable of the displaced by providing basic food (such as rice, sugar, milk, baby food) and non-food items (such as sarongs and other clothing as well as cooking utensils)

ACT CO has provided an advance of $ 40,000 towards this appeal ($ 25,000 to YEU and $ 15,000 to YTB) to ensure that both members can provide the support as planned in this critical phase. It is expected to recover this advance from the appeal contributions.

ACT is a global alliance of churches and related agencies working to save lives and support communities in emergencies worldwide.

The ACT Coordinating Office is based with the World Council of Churches (WCC) and The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in Switzerland.

Project Completion Date: 30 June 2004

Summary of Appeal Targets, Pledges/Contributions Received and Balance Requested

Please kindly send your contributions to the following ACT bank account:

Account Number - 240-432629.60A (USD)
Account Name: ACT - Action by Churches Together
UBS AG
8, rue du Rhône
P.O. Box 2600
1211 Geneva 4
SWITZERLAND
Swift address: UBSW CHZH12A

Please also inform the Finance Officer Jessie Kgoroeadira (direct tel. +4122/791.60.38, e-mail address jkg@act-intl.org) of all pledges/contributions and transfers, including funds sent direct to the implementers, now that the Pledge Form is no longer attached to the Appeal.

We would appreciate being informed of any intent to submit applications for EU, USAID and/or other back donor funding and the subsequent results. We thank you in advance for your kind cooperation.

For further information please contact:

ACT Director, Thor-Arne Prois (phone +41 22 791 6033 or mobile phone + 41 79 203 6055)

or

ACT Appeals Officer, Mieke Weeda (phone +41 22 791 6035 or mobile phone +41 79 285 2916)

ACT Web Site address: http://www.act-intl.org

Thor-Arne Prois
Director, ACT
Co-ordinating Office

DESCRIPTION of the EMERGENCY SITUATION

On 25 April 2004 fresh sectarian violence broke out in Ambon, the Maluku provincial capital. The violence flared up after some 25 members of the separatist Maluku Sovereignty Front (FKM) celebrated the 54th anniversary of the proclamation of a South Maluku Republic (RMS). This was the worst violence since an agreement in February 2002 ended three years of sectarian fighting in which some 5,000 persons died. The parade which had been banned, was seen as a provocation by many. The United Nations mission, a hotel and a church were also torched, as were a Christian university and a Muslim high school hit by tit-for-tat attacks.

Current Situation

Ambon is now quieter after a week of conflict and unrest, however rumours continue about further serious attacks on civilians. Those whose houses were burned are still displaced - those who have not been able to seek safety with relatives are living in public buildings such as mosques, churches or schools. Others whose homes remain, either chose to leave or have remained in their barricaded areas. The two communities are again segregated into opposing areas even though people understand that it is not a "religion" based issue.

More reliable figures of those directly affected are coming in but, as Ambon is a relatively small municipality, the whole community will be more or less affected. The figures of 4 May 2004 show that more than 2,598 Muslim and Christian families (over 10,000 people) have fled their homes, 40 people have been killed and more than 270 persons injured - these numbers might still increase. Social and economic interaction is disrupted, especially in the conflict area. Those displaced are in need of emergency support such as food (rice, sugar, milk, baby food) and non-food items such as sarongs and other clothing.

I. REQUESTING ACT MEMBER INFORMATION

Yakkum Emergency Unit Yakkum Emergency Unit (YEU) (previously known as CD Bethesda)

II. IMPLEMENTING ACT MEMBER & PARTNER INFORMATION

YAKKUM (Yayasan Kristen untuk Kesehatan Umum - Christian Foundation for Public Health) Emergency Unit (YEU) was established in 2001. It was founded in the wake of a wide- ranging external evaluation by international stakeholders of the extensive development programs carried out by CD Bethesda (Community Development of Bethesda Hospital), based on pressing concerns within YAKKUM Foundation regarding the effectiveness of CD Bethesda's responses to emergencies while still retaining its cutting edge as a development organisation in Indonesia.

In the wake of the demise of the Soeharto regime, Indonesia rapidly slid into a phase of multiple crises requiring massive humanitarian interventions. The termination of a dictatorship and its replacement by a democratic regime gave rise to instability. The many conflicts that exploded caught people by surprise. This is particularly true of the various inter-religious riots, and clashes between the different ethnic groups.

Commencing January 2001, the new rapid relief response unit was launched with the purpose of providing an adequate response to the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation. This unit was given the nomenclature YEU or the YAKKUM Emergency Unit. CD Bethesda staff engaged in the emergency work were recruited into this new unit. Other units within YAKKUM that previously worked on special emergency programmes also joined the new unit.

From 2001 - 2003, YEU assisted in many emergencies including the victims of the Dayak and Madura tribal conflict; the floods in Kebumen Central Java; the extensive floods in East and Central Java, the influx of migrant workers in Nunukan and East Kalimantan; the sectarian conflict in Poso, the religious-ethnic conflicts in the Maluku Islands, and an intervention to those indirectly affected by the Bali bombing.

Arikal Mahina & Parakletos : are YEU's local partners in Ambon & Seram with their main offices in Ambon. They have been implementing a one year rehabilitation program comprising health, economic and education activities in Ambon (Arikal Mahina) and in Seram (Parakletos). Parakletos finished its project in April this year while Arikal Mahina will finish in June 2004.

III. DESCRIPTION of the SITUATION in the AREA of PROPOSED RESPONSE

Description of the damages in the area of proposed response

Houses and buildings (including barracks) were set on fire. Schools and many offices remain closed, but some civil servants have started back to work. 449 households from Poka Rumah Tiga and Talake and about 65 households from Waringin have had their houses burnt.

Security situation in the area of proposed response

About 200 military from Kelapa Dua have been placed in Ambon. However, people still feel insecure.

Location of proposed response

There are several locations that are hosting those displaced by the violence. People from Poka (160 households) & Rumah Tiga (42 HH) have fled to Baguala District and are gathered in three areas:

• in Latta - at an ex IDPcamp
• in Passo - with family and relatives
• in Galala - with family and relatives

People displaced from Talake (200 HH) fled to Kudamati where they are sheltering in the Sekolah Kesehatan (health school), Balai Kesehatan (medical hall), the public hospital or with relatives.

Parakletos and their volunteers from the church network will take responsibility for supporting the displaced people in Passo and surrounding areas plus the area in Kudamati (access is available since the volunteer is a local of Kudamati)

Supported by YEU, Arikal and their volunteers from the women's network will take responsibility for supporting the displaced people in Ambon City including the Muslim community and Amahusu to Latuhalat.

The Government is providing assistance in the form of medicine and medical relief but the doctors are not seen in the field. A limited amount of rice and instant noodles are being provided by the Government for IDPs in Poka and Rumah Tiga.

IV. TARGETED BENEFICIARIES

Criteria for selection of beneficiaries

Those whose houses and possessions have been burnt will be prioritised. Assistance is provided in strict accordance with the Code of Conduct.

V. PROPOSED EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE & IMPLEMENTATION

Goal: To provide life sustaining assistance to those displaced by the outbreak of sectarian violence.

Objectives

• Provision of food for 1 month for 687 households in targeted areas
• Provision of basic cooking utensils for 449 households in targeted areas
• Provision of family hygiene kits for 449 households in targeted areas

Activities

Crisis - Activities to respond to the immediate needs, save and sustain lives as follows:

• Food will be provided for a period of one month in the form of rice 25 kg/month/HH, instant noodle 90 packs/HH/month, lentils 2 kg/HH/month, sugar 5 kg/HH/month, vegetable oil 5 litre/HH/month, canned fish 60 cans/HH/month
  
  
• Family hygiene kits comprising soap 5 pieces/family, tooth paste 2 pieces/HH, tooth brushes 5 pieces/HH, detergent 1 pack/HH.
  
  
• Clothes - under wear, towels & blankets.
  
  
• Cooking utensils - stove, pan, wok.

Post-crisis

This sudden upsurge in violence was totally unexpected as the situation has been improving since 2003 when those displaced during the previous unrest were repatriated or relocated and economic activities were slowly returning to normal. Segregated areas were opening up and people were starting to mingle again. From discussions with local partners and those affected by the violence, it is hoped that the situation will soon recover. It is hoped that the Government and military will take their responsibility and make concerted efforts to accompany and support people in Ambon in particular and Maluku in general, to recover from the prolonged conflict.

This crisis response has been planned for a period of one month. Should the situation prove conducive, a workshop for contingency planning will then be held for all stakeholders in Ambon. It is feared that some of the achievements (such as mutual trust amongst communities, mixed economic activities, etc) during the period of peace have been adversely affected by the recent violence.

Project implementation methodology

Purchasing and distribution of aid materials will be carried out by local partners and their volunteers. The beneficiaries will themselves be involved in direct distribution in each location.

Both Parakletos and Arikal will use 4 staff and 4 volunteers.

Planning assumptions, constraints and prioritisation

• The main assumption behind the planning is that Government will be clear, impartial and firm in their response and solving the problems. The role, position and involvement of the military will be clear and that any violation is brought to legal action.
• Constraints: the situation is not stable and can easily change. Communities are again segregated, although some of them are continuing their normal daily activities in the respective areas.

Implementation Timetable : 1 month in the period of May - June 2004.

VI. ADMINISTRATION & FINANCE

The Administration and Finance divisions of YEU will ensure that financial and management aspects are dealt with according to established procedures. At the end of the project, the Finance division will collect the supporting documents and carry out an internal audit. Reports will be submitted to the Donors according to ACT guidelines. As agreed, an external audit will also be carried out upon completion of the project.

VII. MONITORING, REPORTING & EVALUATIONS

YEU will be responsible for the emergency response program ensuring that it is being implemented effectively and according to plan. Program planning is done together by YEU and their local partners, Parakletos and Arikal. YEU will deploy one staff member as site manager to co-ordinate and monitor the response with the local partner organisations. The staff of Parakletos and Arikal will be direct implementors and will report to YEU. Together with local partners, this response will be self-evaluated after 1 month. From the evaluation, recommendations will be made and included in the final report to funding partners.

Reporting Schedule:

Final narrative and financial reports to be received by the ACT CO within 3 months of 30 June 2004.

VIII. CO-ORDINATION

Since the riot, YEU has agreed with the local partner that their work in the field should be communicated and co-ordinated with CC GPM as YTB's partner in this area. This will be done through the Communication Division of GPM (Bankom GPM). YEU co-ordinates with other ACT members in Indonesia - YTB and Church World Service (CWS). It is understood that CWS will not implement a programme in the area but will support the work of YTB and YEU.

Since 27 April the United Nations has evacuated its staff from Ambon and the building housing other international NGOs was set on fire.

The only formal co-ordination with local authorities is technical co-ordination in the field during aid distribution.

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