Indonesia: Earthquakes West Sumatra Province OCHA Situation Report No. 7

Ref: OCHA - 2007/0034

OCHA Situation Report 7
Indonesia - Earthquakes
West Sumatera Province

This report has been prepared by the HC/RC Office in Indonesia based on information provided by the National Coordinating Board for the Management of Disasters (BAKORNAS PB), the Provincial Coordinating Unit for the Management of Disasters (SATKORLAK PB) West Sumatera, NGOs, the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) and media reports.

I. SITUATION

1. A Provincial government coordination meeting took place on 20 March with participation from all SATLAK PB Heads of the earthquake affected districts or cities. At the meeting, it was confirmed that the Emergency Response phase has officially ended and that all affected districts and cities must submit their reconstruction plans to the Provincial level authorities.

2. Affected communities felt several aftershocks in recent days, which have reinforced their anxiety and fear and kept them spending nights in their yards, outside their houses. The need for the provision of temporary shelters has been noted in assessment results conducted by the Shelter expert from the UN HC/RC Office after his visit to the affected area and by some INGOs more recently. The Shelter expert report from the UN HC/RC Office can be found in http://groups.google.com/group/westsumatera_eq/files

3. Following are details of casualties and IDPs as reported by BAKORNAS PB as of 20 March, 20:00 hours:

4. On 20 March the Center for Vulcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation alerted residents of Solok from approaching Mt. Talang, which has been placed in the second highest alert status. The Head of the Center has reported that volcanic materials from the mountain could reach up to three kilometers during an eruption. The increasing volcanic activity has connection with the earthquake occurred on 6 March, but the alert status has been upgraded since 17 March at 18.00 hrs after the mountain spewed brown clouds up to 1,000 meters away from its peak. Solok residents have also been prohibited to approach Mt. Talang.

II. NATIONAL RESPONSES

1. The West Sumatera Department of Provincial Social Affairs has continued providing assistance in affected areas and verifying damages in buildings.

2. The West Sumatera SATKORLAK PB, apart from food and non-food items distributions, has also set up eight tents in Solok District and Solok City respectively, six other tents in Tanah Datar District and four extra tents in Padang Panjang City.

3. The Head of BAKORNAS PB visited affected areas in West Sumatera on 21 March to assess the preparedness of SATLAK PB Solok in relation to Mt. Talang increased activities. His visit also aims to evaluate the earthquake emergency response provided by the Provincial and District governments.

4. PMI is conducting psychosocial assessments in affected cities and districts. The results will soon be available.

III. INTERNATIONAL RESPONSES

1. Muslim Aid has distributed baby kits, baby blankets, and baby beds in Sumani, Solok District, after conducting needs assessments in those areas. In Banguampu and Ampat Koto Sub-districts of Agam District, Muslim Aid has also supplied water bladders of 2,000 liters capacity. Muslim Aid will also distribute cleaning kits in Tanah Datar District.

2. In addition to its activities in Solok, Mercy Corps has distributed 250 family kits, cleaning kits, water containers and water purification (Air Rahmat) in Air Ange Village of Tanah Datar District. Mercy Corps will also build ten temporary public latrines in Solok and Tanah Datar Districts.

3. In coordination with its partners, Yayasan Tanggul Bencana Indonesia (YTBI) has provided 1,233 packages of food for earthquake victims in several villages in Tanah Datar, Agam and Solok Districts. YTBI has also distributed blankets, tarpaulins, mosquito nets and plastic buckets to 3,512 households.

4. Yakkum Emergency Unit (YEU) has sent an emergency team to the affected area consisting of program staff, medical, rehabilitation and water purification specialists. The YEU medical and rehabilitation team has conducted assessments and provided medical services in Solok District and Solok City. The water and sanitation team has provided purified water in Merdeka Field, Solok City.

5. The UN RC/HC Office in Jakarta continues to monitor the situation in close contact with relevant government and non-government institutions, as well as the Indonesian Red Cross.

For detailed information please contact:

UN RC/HC Office Jakarta
Fax: +62 21 319 00 003
Mr. Fernando Hesse, Tel. + 62 21 314 1308, Mob. + 62 812 108 7276
Mindaraga Rahardja, Tel. +62 21 314 1308, Mob. +62 811 825 207

Desk Officers:
(NY) Mr. Wojtek Wilk, Tel. +1 917 367 9748
(GVA) Mr. Erik Kastlander, Tel. +41-22-917 1587

Press contact:
(NY) Ms. Stephanie Bunker, Tel. +1-917 367 5126
(GVA) Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, Tel. +41-22-917 2653