Type of Emergency
Flashflood, followed by landslides.
Date of emergency incidence
22 December 2006, morning.
Location and Incidence site mapping
The accident took place at the North, East, and Central Nangroe Aceh Darussalam Province.
Background
Wide spread floods caused by heavy rains affecting North, East and Central Aceh districts have been reported since early 22 December 2006. The worst affected districts are Aceh Tamiang, Langsa, Aceh Timur, Aceh Utara, Gayo Lues, Aceh Tengah, Aceh Utara, and Lhokseumawe.
Current Situation
The water level in many affected areas has reportedly started receding. The response teams will continue to carefully monitor the metrological reports, however, as they currently predict further rainfalls in coming days. With better access to some sites improved, number of IDPs, dead and injured expected to increase!
Media reported that estimated 200,000 people were evacuated, thousands others were isolated and more than 70 dead because of the disaster.
The United Nations is responding to the Government request to provide emergency relief to the North, East and Central Aceh regions that have been affected by the floods.
Casualties and Impact
UN Team reported, 26 December 2006, the flashfloods and landslides affected 337 villages in 18 sub-districts, forced the evacuation of an estimated 200,000 people, killed more than 70 people and isolated thousands others.
Problems and Needs Encountered
- Most affected villages received initial emergency aid (e.g. Rice, Instant noodles, drinking water, etc. disbursed by government, local and international NGOs) while the supplies are far from sufficient. There are urgent need for more food, drinking water, baby food, hygiene kits, clothes, medicine (for diarrhoea and skin infections) and blankets for villages located in mountains. The need for public kitchen facilities has been also indicated.
- Concerns rising about insufficient drinking water supplies for affected population. The need of bottled drinking water, water purification kits, devices to prepare drinkable water, tank trucks and equipment for distribution of large quantities of drinkable water, water chlorination supplies, water testing kits, and fuel (kerosene, gasoline, diesel for purchases, preparation and distribution of drinkable water) are identified.
- There is possible need for tents/tarpaulins if rain continues.
- According to reports, the Medan-Kuala Simpang route is still blocked whereas the Lhokseumawe-Langsa road is open to 4x4 vehicles and the Langsa-Kuala Simpang only to 10 wheel trucks. The aid delivery beyond the Kulala Simpang point is still deemed difficult as many IDPs sites are accessible only by boat. The limited availability of fuel for boats is currently posing a difficulty.
Government Action
- The local government has responded with emergency aid to the flood affected areas.
- No damage assessment is available yet. The local government is not expecting major damage, as floods occur in this region almost every year.
- Food Assistance: If requested, WFP is prepared to evaluate need for food assistance.
WHO Action
26 December
- WHO provides New Emergency Health units for organizations having medical staff in the field.
- WHO is liaising with PHO-NAD and Posko to deliver Surgical Kit to selected referral hospital (to be decided Lhokseumawe or Sigli).
- Supporting PHO-NAD efforts to organize transport for medical supplies available from the provincial emergency stock
- WHO is in close contact with PHO-NAD, GOI Emergency Coordination Board and with District Health Offices in affected areas with regards to establishing emergency health surveillance system that will monitor health situation in affected areas for next several weeks.
- WHO is in close contact with NGOs and organizations that are working in affected areas to collect health-related information.