Indonesia: Appeal No. 01.64/2004 Annual Report

In Brief

Appeal No. 01.64/04;

Appeal target: CHF 1,458,813 (USD 1,140,483 or EUR 946,140);

Appeal coverage: 154.5%.

Operational context

Meeting the needs of the most vulnerable in Indonesia has continued to present a challenge for the Indonesian Red Cross (Palang Merah Indonesia/PMI) and the Federation in 2004. During the year, Indonesia suffered a number of disasters. The year started with the Federation launching an emergency appeal on 1 January, following the devastating floods in Jambi, North Sumatra during which 25,000 people were forced to leave their homes. The year ended with the terrible tsunami disaster in Aceh killing more than 230,000 people. Between these two disasters, the country was hit by several natural disasters as well as the terrorist bombing outside the Australian embassy on 9 September. During all of these disasters, PMI succeeded in responding effectively and significantly, in line with its mandate as agreed with the Indonesian government. The Federation's delegation played an important role, in advising and supporting PMI during all of these disaster operations. The PMI's national office and affected branches responded effectively to all of the emergency situations, thereby enhancing its image as a reliable and accountable organization.

The parliamentary and presidential elections which were held in 2004 provoked concerns about the security situation in the country -- particularly as these were the first democratically-held direct elections of a president in Indonesia. In the event, both elections were held without violence -- a significant development for the democratic process in the country. Signals from international sources indicate a growing interest in foreign investment for the first time since the Asian economic crisis of 1997-1998.

The magnitude 9.0 earthquake that struck off the western coast of northern Sumatra early on the morning of 26 December triggered massive tidal waves (or tsunamis) that inundated coastal areas in a number of countries around the Indian Ocean. The Indonesian province of Aceh was the most severely affected, with over 230,000 people killed or missing and presumed dead. Over half of the provincial capital -- the town of Banda Aceh -- was destroyed, and along the hundreds of kilometres of the densely populated west coast there appears to have been almost complete destruction, reaching up to three kilometres inland. Although many PMI volunteers lost their lives during the disaster, the SATGANA teams (rapid response teams) from Aceh nevertheless started providing immediate relief support in the area. Building up and equipping SATGANA teams has been one of the biggest programmes for PMI and the Federation over the last four years. These rapid-response SATGANA teams are growing in numbers across the country and, given the country's endless disasters, they lack no opportunity to test their skills. However, one concern is that the SATGANA teams are only marginally linked to PMI's more traditional volunteer force. This issue will be tackled during the new integrated approach starting up in 2005. The society's strong commitment to disaster management/risk reduction and conflict is reflected in its Strategic Plan 2005-2009 which identifies disaster management/risk reduction and conflict as PMI's core programme areas -- and central to the Federation's disaster management programme for 2005.

PMI is slowly moving in the right direction, even if at times the organization falters and falls a few steps to the contrary. The Strategic Plan 2005-2009 could be an important catalyst for change, or at least show the way forward, but only if there is genuine commitment on the part of the leadership to turn the national society into a well-managed organization with professional standards and approaches. While PMI has managed to increase its operational capacity and raise public awareness of its purpose and image, the society still requires financial and capacity-building support to overcome difficulties in responding to the vast needs throughout the archipelago.

While the direct impact of organizational activities is not immediately visible, the number of chapters participating in national and other meetings indicate that the organization is becoming more cohesive and operating as a unified society. Although this is always difficult to measure in a tangible way, an increasing number of chapters and branches are seeking advice and guidance from the national office; furthermore, when new projects are suggested, chapters and branches have responded positively -- with more of them looking to implement programmes in their area (i.e. SATGANA teams or CBFA projects). Certainly, increased numbers of projects/programmes are being implemented provincially.

The new five-year strategic plan and the revision of PMI's statutes were adopted at the general assembly in December. The use of accepted planning tools and methodologies during the strategic planning process continued to improve the society's planning capacities and skills. The draft strategic plan has identified the four following strategic goals for 2005-2009:

There was continued progress throughout 2004 on the development of guidelines for a cohesive approach to capacity building and in the implementation of projects in chapters and branches -- seeking to limit the initiation of activities and projects in areas where PMI does not have the necessary organizational structure. Increased sectoral cooperation within PMI has created a sense of momentum among staff and volunteers and is already showing signs of better coordinated and more consistent programming in 2004.

There was continued social and political unrest during 2004 in a number of Indonesian provinces, mainly caused by conflicts over independence/autonomy and compounded by the ongoing economic crisis. Most of the nearly 650,000 people who remained displaced throughout the country in mid-2004, had lost their productive assets as a direct consequence of conflict or in exchange for food, and continued to require humanitarian and recovery assistance during the year.

One of main hig hlights for PMI in 2004 was its general assembly, which saw the approval of new statutes and of the five-year strategic plan. This will constitute the framework for all support to the national society during the next five years. The overwhelming natural disasters that hit Indonesia during the year, coupled with the significant response from PMI, have repeatedly confirmed the thrust and reliability that PMI has built up with the Indonesian population.

For further information specifically related to this operation please contact:

In Indonesia: Aswi Nugroho, Head of Communication and International Relations, Indonesian Red Cross; Phone: +62.21.799.2325; Fax: +62.21.799.5188

In Indonesia: Ole Johan Hauge, Head of Delegation; email: ifrcid07@ifrc.org; Phone: +62.21.791.91841; Fax: +62.21.791.80905

In Bangkok: Bekele Geleta, Head of Regional Delegation; email: ifrcth23@ifrc.org; phone: +66.2.640.8211, fax: +66.2.640.8220

In Geneva: Charles Evans or Sabine Feuglet, Southeast Asia Desk Officer, Asia Pacific Department; email: charles.evans@ifrc.org or sabine.feuglet@ifrc.org; Phone: +41.22.730.4320/4349; Fax: +41.22.733.0395

This Annual Report reflects activities implemented over a one-year period; they form part of, and are based on, longer-term, multi-year planning. This annual report also covers the operational period from 1 November to 31 December 2004 not covered by the last programme update. All International Federation assistance seeks to adhere to the Code of Conduct and is committed to the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response in delivering assistance to the most vulnerable. For support to or for further information concerning Federation programmes or operations in this or other countries, please access the Federation's website at http://www.ifrc.org.

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