Indonesia: OCHA Consolidated Situation Report No. 151

18 - 24 October 2003
Provincial Updates

1. NATURAL DISASTERS

Heavy rains on Sunday (19 Oct.) evening caused two rivers in Binjai, Langkat district of North Sumatra to overflow inundating hundreds of homes and forcing many to take shelter in higher ground areas. On Monday (20 Oct.), the Mayor of Binjai visited affected sites and provided assistance, including 3 MT rice and thousands of bags of instants noodles to the victims. Officials reported that 11 houses and 2 primary schools were badly damaged as result of floods. As of Wednesday (22 Oct.), a number of families were still reported displaced and have taken shelter in host communities until their houses are repaired.

2. ACEH (Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam)

General Situation

Various local press reported that 11 civilians, one police officer and 40 GAM members were killed as result of violent incidents in Aceh province.

A local newspaper, Serambi, reported on Wednesday (21 Oct.), that the police forces on Monday (20 Oct.) stopped training for human rights volunteer training conducted by the National Human Rights Commission (Komnasham) with reason of not obtaining permit from the military emergency administrators.

On 21 and 22 October, 5 GAM negotiators once active in the peace process facilitated by a Swiss-based organisation were sentenced to 12 to 15 years prison each for treason and terrorism. Another GAM female activist, Cut Nur Asikin, not long ago arrested in Banda Aceh was also sentenced by judges to 11 years imprisonment. The Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HDC) in its press release on Wednesday (22 Oct.) expressed its concern about the recent conviction of negotiators for the GAM hoping that these convictions were in no way a result of activities they carried out as negotiators in the peace process. In addition to their concern for these individuals, HDC worried about the potential negative implications this outcome may have for opportunities for dialogue in Aceh and elsewhere.

A national newspaper, Media Indonesia, quoted Military Emergency Administrator, Maj. Gen. Endang Suwarya, on Monday (20 Oct.), accusing INGOs for supporting GAM in Aceh which included HDC. He called out for citizens to be cautious in monitoring activities of international humanitarian NGOs in Aceh. Endang highlighted that humanitarian assistance provided by INGOs during this emergency period are nowhere near to the government's assistance reaching IDR 400 billion (USD 48.7 million).

Population Movement

IOM reported that as Wednesday (21 Oct.), 2,475 families (10,345 people) are displaced in 8 districts. IOM reported that during the week, 742 people returned to their villages in Aceh Jaya, South Aceh and Southeast Aceh districts. 131 others were reported newly displaced in Kuala Merisih sub-district, Aceh Jaya District.

3. CENTRAL SULAWESI

General Situation

UNPCO Central Sulawesi together with the Poso District Head, Police Chief, Military Chief and other senior government officials visited Podi village in Tojo sub-district on Thursday (23 Oct.) to distribute aid and discuss resettlement and community needs for 97 families forced to leave their homes by recent floods and landslides.

On Tuesday (21 Oct.), the Provincial Police claimed 14 suspects in the recent attacks on Bateleme village had been apprehended and a further 5 killed following a number of shoot-outs between security forces and the suspects in forested areas near Beteleme.

4. MALUKU

General Situation

According to a local newspaper, Info Baru, on Monday (20 Oct.), approximately 200 students from a local Moslem students organization (KAMMI) protested in front of the City Council urging the Police to stop prostitution, gambling, and distribution of alcohol in Ambon. The demonstration was peaceful and orderly.

According to a local newspaper, Siwalima, on Monday (20 Oct.), as the security and economic situation appear to be returning to normal on the islands of South East Maluku district, the blockade established by traditional leaders across a major traffic bridge in Tual as sign of their dispute with the Provincial Government was lifted on Monday (20 Oct.).

Siwalima quoted The Head of The Agency for Regional Development of Maluku Province, Drs. J. Syauta, on Monday (20 Oct.), saying that Maluku province needs a budget of IDR 4.4 Quintillion for the recovery and for rebuilding the infrastructure destroyed during the 1999-2000 civil conflict. The funds are required to rebuild and sustain the economy, people's welfare, and the political and security sectors.

Suara Maluku quoted the Head of Maluku Police, Bambang Sutrisno, on Wednesday (22 Oct.), saying that 1,350 Brimob personnel from Indonesian Police Headquarters will be arriving in Maluku. 900 of them will be stationed in Maluku and 450 in North Maluku. The Brimob forces will replace the TNI forces currently being gradually withdrawn.

5. NORTH MALUKU

Nothing to report this week

6. PAPUA

Nothing to report this week

7. WEST TIMOR

Population Movement

A local newspaper, Pos Kupang, reported on 17 October that 48 people ran away from Railuli sub-village, Kowa village, Balibo sub-district of Bobonaro district on 14 October. 26 of them reported themselves to Belu district police. The District Social Affairs office has been covering their daily needs. They claim that they ran away from their village because of other villagers had intimidated them. At an NGO meeting on Wednesday (22 Oct.), the Ambassador of East Timor for Indonesia, Arlindo Marcal, said that the motive was most likely economic. However the case in currently under investigation by UNHCR Dili.

DETAILS OF ASSISTANCE PROVIDED

1. ACEH

Health

A local newspaper, Serambi, reported on Monday (21 Oct.), that a fever has struck Aceh Tamiang district hospitalising two youngsters on Sunday (19 Oct.). Health officials mentioned that they have started to spray mass mosquito repellents in communities to stop this disease from wide spreading especially during the wet season.

Other

UNICEF's partner, Muhammadiyah, conducted workshops from 19 to 21 October in West Aceh district and 22 to 24 October in Pidie district to socialise on child's rights, child protection and psychosocial activities. 200 children from primary to senior high schools participated in the event.

2. CENTRAL SULAWESI

Food and Agriculture

CWS distributed food assistance (rice, red beans, and vegetable oil) to some 97 families in Podi village of Tojo sub-district on Friday (24 Oct.)

Health

From 22 to 23 October, CWS conducted HIV/AIDS training in Poso Kota. Some 40 Community Based Organizations (CBO) and LNGOs participated in the training.

Education

Mercy Corps conducted an impact assessment on the distribution of school supplies in Patiwunga and Tangkura villages in Poso Pesisir sub-district on Thursday (23 Oct.).

Other

Mercy Corps conducted an organisational assessment of LNGOs, Tadulako Membangun, on Thursday (23 Oct.) and Pekurehua on Friday (24 Oct.) in Palu.

3. MALUKU

Assessment

Mercy Corps monitored the distribution of school kits to SD Inpres 1 and 2 by an LNGO, Yayasan Peduli Tani Nelayan Pengusaha Kecil Sejahtera, in Luhu village of Seram Island. Mercy Corps also monitored implementation of a project for provision of school furniture in Kasuawari sub-village of Seram Island that is implemented by an LNGO, Yayasan Lintas.

AcF monitored a water and sanitation project in Wamsalet village, on Buru Island.

Food Security

AcF completed its income generating programme that is funded by OCPR in North Buru of Buru Island. The programme included distribution of 337 collective kits consisting of 40 food processing, 72 fishing equipment, 30 kettle for processing oil from tropical myrtle leaves and 235 agricultural kits to 2,584 families in 48 villages.

According to a report from the Head of Southeast West Maluku district (MTB) on Wednesday (22 Oct.), the district suffered from serious food shortage due to long drought. The report also mentions that 148,876 people need immediate emergency food assistance in a form of 410 MT rice to survive in the next three critical months. However, a local radio station, DMS Radio, quoted the Head of Provincial Agriculture Department on Wednesday (22 Oct.), saying that his department has not received any information on the case. Meanwhile, WFP in collaboration with aid organizations in Maluku are studying the report and making consultations for appropriate course of action.

Health

IMC conducted three sessions of health education on family planning, identification and treatment of rabies, and identification and treatment of dermatitis for 80 participants in Masohi sub-district of Seram island. During the session, IMC health staff treated 894 people.

Water and Sanitation

AcF distributed building materials for construction of water and sanitation facilities in 19 villages in North West Buru sub-district and North South sub-district of Buru Island .

Education

Info Baru reported on 16 October that Buru District Government in collaboration with UNICEF held a two days workshop on improving school hygiene and sanitation for school committees in Namlea of Buru district. Participants included 88 teachers from five sub-districts in Buru district.

A nation-wide newspaper, Republika, quoted the Project Coordinator of Ambon Rehabilitation Programme, Jan Hattu, on 16 October, saying that Ambon Rehabilitation Programme allocates IDR 450 million for rehabilitation of schools buildings in Rumah Tiga village of Ambon city. After completion of the rehabilitation, students from both Christian and Muslim community are expected to study together in the school.

4. NORTH MALUKU

Education

WVI monitored activities in 4 Happy Houses in Tobelo and Galela sub-districts on 16 and 21 October.

WVI distributed snack and prizes, and conducted some competitions for their school event activities in 7 Community Education Committees in Tobelo and Galela sub-districts on 17, 18, 20 and 21 October.

WVI conducted some traditional festivals for its peace event activities participated by Moslem and Christian student from 14 elementary schools on Wednesday (22 Oct.).

WVI distributed the 4th edition of its magazine production to 12 elementary schools in Tobelo and Galela sub-district son Wednesday (22 Oct.).

From 14 to 17 October, UNICEF conducted a joint field trip with CARDI to Wasilei sub-district to monitor distribution of School in a Box and textbooks, and assess some schools that have not received the assistance yet.

UNICEF evaluated the workshop Convention of The Right of the Child (CRC) conducted by an LNGO, Daurmala, and discussed the possibility of future programme on Tuesday (21 Oct).

From 19 to 21 October, UNICEF conducted field trip to Tobelo to monitor Creating Learning Community for Children (CLCC) project implemented by WVI.

UNICEF followed up the budget for Peace Curriculum Project that will be implemented in collaboration with the Provincial Education Department, and Karang Taruna Project with a village youth group, Karang Taruna.

Shelter and Non- Food Items

Cordaid signed the Memorandum of Agreement with UNOPS for the North Maluku recovery programme proposal in Bacan Island that is started on Wednesday (22 Oct.) and will be completed on 30 June 2004. The programme is partly funded by UNOPS and Cordaid.

Economic Recovery and d Infrastructure

IRD monitored its economic empowerment programme in Obi and Bacan sub-districts from 22 to 24 October.

5. PAPUA

Nothing to report this week

6. WEST TIMOR

Others

The Regional Representative of UNHCR is visiting Kupang to discuss construction of houses in a resettlement area in Belu district with the local government officials. The programme will be joint funded by UNHCR and European Union.

Selected Abbreviations Key

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

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