Indonesia - OCHA Consolidated Situation Report No. 110

4 January - 10 January 2003
1. NATURAL DISASTERS

Earthquake

The Meteorology and Geophysics Agency (BMG) reported that an earthquake measuring 4.2 on Richter Scale occurred on Thursday (9 Jan.) in North Sumatra. The epicenter was located at 1.34N and 97.99E with a depth of 30 km, 30 km from Mt. Sitoli. According to Satkorlak PBP North Sumatra, there were no human casualties. No significant damages were reported.

Floods

The Jakarta Post reported on Wednesday (8 Jan.) that flooding triggered by days of rain has submerged at least 46 houses in Batulayar village of West Lombok, forcing hundreds of people to flee the area. The flood waters stood at 1.5 meters in several parts of the affected areas including the villages of Teloke, Tanaq Embet, Batulayar and Melase. Although the floods subsidied eventually, the displaced could not return home because flood waters were still considered high and dangerous. The flood inundated 40 heactares of rice paddies ready for harvest.

The Jakarta Post cited BMG warning on Saturday (4 Jan.) on floods that could hit a number of areas in Jakarta in the coming weeks, particularly in areas close to rivers that flow from upstream areas like Bogor, Depok and Tangerang. BMG forecast that rainfall might be as great as 100 mm per day and it might rain for three consecutive days. The agency has said that this year's floods would not be as extensive as last year.

2. ACEH (Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam)

General Situation

According to local media, only one human casualty was reported in the province during the week.

The Jakarta Post reported on Thursday (9 Jan.) that around 2,500 GAM officials across Aceh attended a weekend meeting, which was headed by their military chief Muzakkir Manaf, quoting GAM spokesman, Sofyan Dawood. Muzakkir formed a GAM military police force to take strict measures in response to any misconduct by GAM soldiers against Indonesian institutions or civilians.

Local media reported that the provincial government along with Indonesia's chief negotiator Wiryono Sastrohandoyo held a one-day seminar on Tuesday (7 Jan.) as part of a campaign to socialise the cessation of hostilities agreement among some 406 sub-district heads and religious scholars throughout the province.

Population Movements

A local newspaper, Serambi, reported on Wednesday (8 Jan) that 900 local settlers of Manggamat sub-district have been found displaced in a nearby primary school in Krueng Kalee village since Friday (3 Jan.). Government officials, security forces and JSC visited the IDPs on Monday (6 Jan.) requesting them to return. IDPs claimed that they were intimated by GAM, while others say that they were harmed by security forces.

Assessment

UNDP participated in a multi donor mission to Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam (NAD) from 2 to 9 January. The mission consisted of representatives from the World Bank, the Japanese Embassy and the Japanese International Corporation Agency (JICA). The objective of the mission was to look into the issues of governance, public service delivery, and community development. The mission also visited North Aceh and Central Aceh districts to obtain information on current needs from local authorities.

UNICEF Jakarta visited NAD from 8 to 11 January to follow up its peace education project and its plans on the expansion of child rights training and child participation activities. UNICEF visited schools and communities around Banda Aceh and Great Aceh.

Food Security and Agriculture

WFP has established a temporary office in NAD on the premise of UNRC Banda Aceh. WFP is working closely with the provincial government to provide humanitarian food aid to victims and vulnerable groups in conflict affected areas in the province. Some10,000 MT rice will be distributed during the next 2 months through PMI, its food aid distribution partner.

Health

WHO is examining the feasibility of increasing support to the health sector in terms of immediate needs for the population, including immunization, drugs availability and personal hygiene conditions.

Water and Sanitation

A water and sanitation team from CARDI is conducting a site assessment for possible intervention within its current programme targeting 5 - 20 IDP and resettlement sites in the districts of Pidie, Bireuen, North Aceh and East Aceh. The assessment continues till 4 January.

Livelihood

In cooperation with its local partners (Panglima Laot, Muhammadyah and Sue Support Group), CARDI conducted a workshop on Tuesday (7 Jan.) to discuss lessons learnt, result of baseline data and future evaluation procedures.

CARDI conducted a field trip to Lhoong, Aceh Besar on Thursday (9 Jan.) to oversee the distribution of 8 fishing boats as part of its income-generating programme in the area.

Others

In cooperation with its local partner BKPSM, SC US is currently sponsoring short computer training courses for youth in Tangse sub-district, Pidie district, as part of its programme to support youth activities.

SC US completed an agricultural skills training on chilli planting for communities in Tangse sub-district, Pidie district, as its community development programmes.

3. CENTRAL SULAWESI

General situation

Local newspaper, Radar Sulteng, reported on Friday (10 Jan.) that several rallies were held in Palu from 7 to 9 January to protest the Government' decision on the increased prices of fuel, electricity and telephone.

Health

IMC conducted mobile clinics in North Lore, Poso Town, Poso Pesisir and Tentena.

Food security

CWS distributed red beans to 14 villages in Poso Pesisir from 9 to 10 January.

Shelter and non-food

CWS assisted the local community of Malitu village in the construction of water and sanitation facilities on Monday (6 Jan.).

Other

OCHA organised a seminar on the returnee and IDP data in Poso on Thursday (9 Jan.). Some 70 participants from local government, community leaders, INGOs and LNGOs attended the seminar.

4. MALUKU

General Situation

According to local newspaper, Ambon Ekspress, on Thursday (9 Jan.), a home-made bomb was discovered on Monday (6 Jan.) from a speed-boat passenger destined for Mamala village, Leihutu sub-district, Central Maluku district.

The UN Field Security Office reported a shooting incident involving police officer in Perigi Lima (Ambon and Lease Island Police Headquarter) on Monday (6 Jan.) at 19:30 local time. No casualties were reported.

A local newspaper, Siwalima, reported on Thursday (9 Jan.) that a bomb was found in Urimessing, Sirimau sub-district, Ambon municipality on Wednesday (8 Jan.) at 15:05 local time. The bomb was later safely diffused by the police.

Assessments

A water and sanitation team from AcF is starting an assessment for its programme implementation in Piru and Kairatu sub-district, Central Maluku.

Health

IMC conducted 498 consultations in Seram and Buru districts during the week. IMC reported that residents in Waemulang sub-district, Buru district, was facing a malaria outbreak. Almost 85% of the patients visited in this area suffered from Malaria.

Education

CARDI conducted a "Participatory Rural Appraisal" in Tuhelu village, Ambon City, from 7 to 11 January.

CARDI organized a training for facilitators on "Human Rights" issue in Paso sub-district from 4 to 5 January.

Water and Sanitation

A water and sanitation team from AcF started its programme in North Buru, for drilling a water borehole in Air Sakula village, Ambon City and installing a water pump in Tawiri village, Ambon City.

AcF constructed a connecting water-pipe in Air Manis village, Ambon Island.

5. NORTH MALUKU

Food Security and Agriculture

WVI conducted a training for fishermen groups in Ake Jailolo and Biamahi villages, South Jailolo sub-district from 7 to 8 January.

Health

AcF conducted a health training on Link Water in Loloda sub-district from 4 to 10 January.

Shelter and Non-Food Items

WVI monitored its roofing kit project in Tobelo, Galela, South Morotai, and South-West Morotai sub-districts.

UNDP has started the implementation of its "Supporting Government Housing" programme by providing fund and building material for the construction of 520 houses. The disbursement of the assistance has already covered: 20 houses in Baja Village, North Loloda sub-district; 14 houses in Tatalaka village, South Jailolo sub-district; 30 houses in Boso village, Gane Barat sub-district; and 46 houses in Yaba village, West Bacan sub-district. The remaining assistance for the construction of 410 houses will be distributed next week.

Water and Sanitation

AcF continued monitoring of its water and sanitation projects in Loloda sub-district from 6 to 8 January.

Economic Recovery and Infrastructure

WVI monitored its CRP (Community Recovery Programme) II project in Matsa and Ngofagita villages, Malifut sub-district. WVI also conducted an assessment to seek the possibility of implementing CRP project in South Morotai, South-West Morotai, and North Morotai sub-districts.

WVI distributed building materials for the construction of MCK Type 3 and well projects in Lolonga and Mamuya villages, Galela sub-district from 7 to 8 January and in Matsa and Ngofagita villages, Malifut sub-district on Wednesday (8 Jan.)

6. PAPUA

General Situation

A local newspaper, Cendrawasih Pos, reported during the week (2-9 Jan.) that armed clashes occurred in an area close to RI-PNG border, Wutung, between the end of December 2002 - early January 2003. While an intensive field investigation by the police was still on-going, TNI already stated that these armed clashes were initiated by Free Papua Organisation (OPM). Therefore, TNI is now placing one troop on the border area to hold field sweeping.

Cenderawasih Pos reported on Thursday (9 Jan.) that OPM Chief of Command Brigjen Richard H. Joweni made an official clarification that OPM was not involved in the Wutung incidents. A prominent figure from Wamena, Rev Obeth Komba, said that the two persons caught by TNI in Asolagaima sub-district were villagers from Kimbim village, instead of OPM members as accused by TNI.

Cendrawasih Pos, reported on Tuesday and Wednesday (7 and 8 Jan.) that an armed clash occurred on Monday (6 Jan.) between OPM and TNI (Satgas 413/Bremoro) in Assolagaima sub-district, Jayawijaya (Wamena) district. TNI caught two persons from OPM, but one of them escaped. According to the District Military Chief (Dandim) Letkol. Kav. Masrumsyah, TNI is now taking control of the field operation to fight with the rebels.

Cendrawasih Pos reported on Saturday, Tuesday and Wednesday (4, 7 and 8 Jan.) that a military court process on the Theys Hiyo Eluay murder was taking place in Surabaya. Theys' family and the Papuan community considered that the trial was a one step forward in juridical system, law enforcement, and human rights appreciation in Indonesia.

Selected Abbreviations Key

This report and previous ones can be found at www.reliefweb.int

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