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Indonesia

Indonesia: OCHA Consolidated Situation Report No. 164

17 - 23 January 2004
Provincial Updates

1. NATURAL DISASTERS

Storms

Bandung, West Java

The Jakarta Post reported on Monday (19 Jan.) that a storm hit Baleendah sub-district, Bandung district, West Java, on Sunday (18 Jan.) afternoon. According to Satlak Bandung (19 Jan.), the storm has damaged 17 residential houses and toppled 25 trees. No injuries or casualties were reported.

Kompas reported on Monday (19 Jan.) that a storm also hit Jumantono sub-district, Karanganyar district, Central Java, on Friday (16 Jan.) evening. The storm affected 4 villages (Kenteng, Kebak, Podang, and Genengan) and damaged 38 houses. No injuries or casualties were reported.

Floods

Jakarta

Kompas reported on Tuesday (20 Jan.) that floods, due to the overflow of Kali Ciliwung, hit Kampung Melayu and Bidara Cina sub-sub-districts in Cawang sub-district, East Jakarta, on Sunday (18 Jan.) evening. In Kampung Melayu sub-sub-district, the floodwater level was between 40 cm to 150 cm, having affected 1,843 HH. On Monday (19 Jan.) the floodwater receded and the situation returned to normal.

Kompas quoted the Head of Health Promotion Division of Provincial Health Office (Dinas Kesehatan) DKI Jakarta on Tuesday (20 Jan.), saying that as the frequency of rainfalls increases, the number of dengue fever patients in DKI Jakarta started to increase in January. Foryt-two sub-districts in DKI Jakarta are considered as "highly endemic of dengue fever". From January to December 2003, the total number of dengue fever patients in DKI Jakarta has reached up to 14,071.

South Kalimantan

Kompas reported on Wednesday (21 Jan.) that floods hit Martapura sub-district in Banjar district, South Kalimantan on Sunday (18 Jan.) and inundated hundreds of houses and hundreds of hectares of paddy field. According to Head of Human Relations of Banjar district (21 Jan.), the floods, caused by the overflow of Riam Kanan River, affected 20 flood-prone villages. The floodwater level was approximately 20 cm.

Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam

A local newspaper, Serambi, reported on Friday (16 Jan.) that the sudden high rise of tide on 14 January caused flooding in Sigli capital of Pidie District, inundating hundreds of homes and government offices. Water levels were reported reaching as high as 80 cm. No casualties were reported. It was said that the floodwater would decrease the following day and the condition would become normal.

Earthquake

Papua

An earthquake measuring 5.3 on Richter scale occurred on Friday (16 Jan.) at 22:42:21 PM local time, near north coast of Papua province (approximately 142 kilometres northeast of Sorong city), at a depth of 33 kilometres. According to the Meteorology and Geophysics Agency (19 Jan.), the intensity of the quake was felt in Sorong city at II-III MMI (Modified Mercally Intensity). No casualties or injuries were reported.

2. ACEH (Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam)

General Situation

During the week, local press reported that 6 civilians and 31 GAM members were killed as result of violent incidents in Aceh province.

The Serambi Daily reported on Sunday (18 Jan.) that military emergency administrators returned some 438 surrendered GAM members home after rehabilitation and skills training at a teacher-training centre in Great Aceh district for the past six months. However, Military emergency commander, Maj., Gen. Endang Suwarya, stressed on Saturday (17 Jan.) that they would not be allowed to leave the province unless an official amnesty was agreed by the Central Government.

Waspada Daily reported on Thursday (22 Jan.) that military forces transferred a total of 143 jailed GAM members to confinements across Central Java province by air. Military spokesman, Col. Ditya Soedarsono, mentioned that the transfer was made to stop the detainees from forming separatist movements in their home province.

3. CENTRAL SULAWESI

General Situation

A local newspaper, Radar Sulteng, reported on Wednesday (21 Jan.), that security personnel found 27 explosives, 3 firearms and 16 rounds of ammunition on Monday (19 Jan.) in Ratulene and Tabalu villages in Poso Pesisir sub-district.

4. MALUKU

General Situation

According to a local newspaper Info Baru (17 Jan) the Governor of Maluku province, Albert Karel Ralahalo, stated that the Provincial Government allocated IDR 2.5 to IDR 3 billion, for each of the new districts (East Seram and West Seram) located in Seram Island for their infrastructure construction in the first year. So far, the Provincial Government has given IDR 500 million to each of these new districts.

According to various local newspapers, including Ambon Ekspress and Siwalima (20 Jan.), several hundreds of IDPs demonstrated on 19 and 20 January at the provincial assembly buildings, demanding proper information and assistance from the Department of Social Welfare in Ambon. The demands focused mainly on some allegedly unimplemented promises of funds for returning and rebuilding IDP houses. The IDP demonstrators threatened to burn down the offices and to boycott the upcoming general elections (in April) if the local government does not provide proper care for the IDPs.

Population movement

According to a local newspaper Ambon Ekspress (17 Jan), 200 IDP families are still living in displacement at Halong Navy base premises. The navy commander Col. Marine Ibrahim Sadong, stated that his administration has been in contact with Maluku Provincial Government, to find a solution to have the IDPs out of displacement status. The IDPs originally came from Poka Rumah Tiga, Batu Gong villages and, Wailihila sub-village on Ambon Island.

5. NORTH MALUKU

Population Movement

A local newspaper, Ternate Post, reported on Tuesday (20 Jan.) that District Secretary of South Halmahera District welcomed 99 families of returnees originated from Bacan and Obi Island who returned from Bitung, North Sulawesi Province, on Wednesday (14 Jan.) in Bacan.

CARDI reported that there are 281 families of returnees arrived in Ternate on Sunday (18 Jan.) from Bitung, North Sulawesi.

CARDI reported that on Sunday (11 Jan.) North Halmahera district Social Department returned 37 families of IDP to West Gane sub-district, 60 families to Bacan Island, 23 families to East Gane sub-district, and 45 families to Obi Island.

6. PAPUA

General Situation

A local newspaper, Cendrawasih Pos, reported on Friday (23 Jan.), that Commission I, House of Representatives in a meeting held on Wednesday (21 Jan.) proposed that a civil emergency status be implemented in Papua. Vice Chairman of the Commission, Effendy Choirie, stated that the proposed action has to be taken due to the development of the current political and security situation in Papua. Choirie further added that the commission would coordinate this matter with National Intelligence Body (BIN), TNI, Police and Coordinating Ministry of Political and Social Affairs.

7. WEST TIMOR

General Situation

The overall security situation in Kupang city and West Timor remained calm and normal.

From 19 to 20 January, demonstrations regarding the election of new Head of district (Bupati) took place at the Kupang district Parliament. However the demonstration did not affect the overall security situation in Kupang.

Population Movement

IOM reported on 16 Jan. that as of 1 January 2004, IOM has repatriated 22 people from West Timor in Timor Leste under the government repatriation plan with incentive of IDR 500,000 per person.

DETAILS OF ASSISTANCE PROVIDED

1. ACEH

Detail of assistance provided

On 13 January, a UNICEF international staff project officer arrived in Banda Aceh with the permit from the Coordinating Ministry for People's Welfare ("blue book") to supervise and facilitate smooth transition in provision of UNICEF's humanitarian assistance through the Provincial Education and Health Departments. .

On 23 January, OCHA's Head of the UNPCO returned to Banda Aceh with a three-month permit from the Coordinating Ministry for People's Welfare.

Population Movement

IOM reported that as of 17 January 2004, a total number of IDPs in the province slightly lowered to 5,185 persons or 1,071 families in 6 sites within 4 districts.

2. CENTRAL SULAWESI

Education

On Wednesday (21 Jan.), Mercy Corps through its local partner, Yayasan Bina Bangsa Mandiri (YB2M) distributed school supplies (uniforms, bags, shoes, pens, and textbooks) to schools in Betania Village in Poso Pesisir sub-district.

Water and Sanitation

CARE continued its building material distribution for the construction of latrine and water systems in North Pamona, Lage, Tojo and Poso Pesisir sub-districts.

Others

On Monday (19 Jan.), Mercy Corps funded three LNGOs [LKM Multi Harapan, LKM Karunia Persada, Yayasan Bina Bangsa Mandiri (YB2M)] for training on micro finance institution in Bogor. Five persons attended the training.

3. MALUKU

Assessment

From 21 to 26 January, CARDI carries out field assessment in 14 locations throughout 4 sub-districts (Kairatu, Piru, Waesala and Taniwel) in West Seram district to finalise selection of a community projects.

Health

A local newspaper Ambon Ekspress quoted Dr. Lin Manuhuttu, one of the medical officers at Haulussy Hospital Kuda Mati Ambon, on Tuesday (20 Jan.), saying that as of the first week of January 2004, 3 persons have died after being bitten and scratched by dogs infected with rabies three or two months ago. She added that since 2003 the death toll at the hospital due to rabies is 13. It is worth noting that a rabies post exposure vaccine has been available for members of the community for prevention of the disease.

JRS provided various supplementary health supports through supplementary feeding to 1,347 children in 7 locations and basic hygiene and financial aid for medicare on Seram Island and other locations in the province during the week.

Water and sanitation

AcF construction activities under a water and sanitation project in North West and North South Buru are in progress.

Education

During the week, JRS provided assistance in the form of rice to IDPs from HBI camp to support them in rehabilitating an alternative school in Lahaserani, on Seram Island.

CARDI this week completed school rehabilitation in Taman Jaya, Piru sub-district, and West Seram district, while the rehabilitation in 7 other locations of the district and 2 locations in the sub-districts of Nusaniwe and Sirimau (Seri, Air Besar), on Ambon Island are still in progress.

SC UK during the week held activity-workshops at two clusters of schools in Haruku sub-district. Cluster 1 is covering Kariu, Hulaliu and Pelauw villages, and Cluster 2 is covering Rohomoni, Kailolo and Haruku-Sameth villages. The objectives of the workshops are: to present SC UK values and principles including a rights-based approach to working with children; to give teachers a good practical understanding of Activity-based Learning, and support them in implementing the Government's new Competency-based Curriculum; to support reconciliation between communities by providing opportunities for teachers from different communities to work together and develop new approaches to teaching together; and to support children affected by conflict by enabling teachers to develop appropriate teaching methods and ways to deliver the curriculum.

SC UK this week has conducted Focus Group Discussions of adults, children and young people with communities in Hulaliu, Pelauw, and Haruku Sameth villages, Haruku sub-district in line with social protection programme. The programme aims at addressing social protection issues in communities in Maluku by supporting communities and young people and facilitating children and young people's participation. The objective is to engage with the members of the community and facilitate discussion as well as assist in identifying social protection concerns affecting the community.

4. NORTH MALUKU

Assessment

CORDAID conducted a field visit, accompanying its Finance Controller from CORDAID Netherlands, to its former housing projects in sub-districts of Jailolo, Kao, Malifut and Tobelo of North Halmahera district from 22 to 23 January.

Economic Recovery and Infrastructure

Under its Economic Empowerment Programme, IRD conducted a training session on Market Analysis and Financial Management for its beneficiaries in Bacan and Obi Island of South Halmahera district from 19 to 23 January.

Under its Economic Empowerment Programme, IRD conducted a training session for its cadres in Bacan and Obi Island on Nutrition and Posyandu from 19 to 23 January.

5. PAPUA

Health

Coordinating Ministry for People's Welfare and KPA (national HIV/AIDS commission) organised a two-day seminar on HIV/ AIDS in Jayapura on Sunday and Monday (18 and 19 Jan.) the seminar was attended by representatives of local government, INGOs, LNGOs and UN agencies.

6. WEST TIMOR

Assessment

UNHCR reported that in cooperation with a private university in Kupang, UNHCR has conducted an assessment and feasibility studies on resettlement sites in Belu. This activity was conducted to find inputs for improvement of the resettlement sites (especially on sites built by UNHCR with European Union funding).

Food Security and Agriculture

Pos Kupang, reported on Sunday (18 Jan.), that grasshoppers (Kumbara type) are currently attacking 4 sub-district (Insana, North Biboki, South Biboki, East Miomafo) in TTU districts. The grasshoppers attacked 1-1,5 month old corn. Head of Belu Agriculture Office, Hery Kanam, said that their office is currently spraying insecticide. He also said that the attack was due to lack of rain and incorrect method of cultivation by villagers.

Health

A local NGO, YPI, in Atambua, Belu district on Monday (19 Jan.) requested for the Belu district government to built health facilities in South of Belu area using a raised platform construction. This type of construction is suitable for the area, which receives floods every year.

Shelter and Non-Food Items

Radar Timor, reported on Wednesday (21 Jan.), that according to SATLAK Belu, Belu needs at least 5,000 unit of houses prior to the closure of the refugee camps in Belu. Currently approximately 6,000 families are living in camps. 1,000 families will not move to settlement houses because they already have land and are waiting for building material assistance (BBR) from the government.

Others

Radar Timor, reported on Wednesday (21 Jan.), that people in Belu continue to ask for assistance of water pumps and pipes from the Japanese Government.

Radar Timor, reported on Wednesday (21 Jan.), that people in Kereana and Takarai village, Sasitamean sub-district, Belu district, since late December 2003 have started using clean water after Oxfam GB and YPI, a local NGO, provided assistance.

Radar Timor, reported on Tuesday (20 Jan.), that BAKORNAS plans to organise a meeting with relevant government institutions to discuss border and refugee matters on 15 February 2004 at TTU district. The meeting will discuss 5 strategies in handling refugees, which includes reassignment of TNI/Polri, resettlement in and outside West Timor, repatriation and new approach from Timor Leste government.

Radar Timor, reported on Monday (19 Jan.), that religious leaders in Belu and TTU district have agreed to conduct a mass reforestation of Wemer forest, Belu district previously occupied by ex-refugees. The activity will take place on 5 February.

Pos Kupang, reported on Monday (19 Jan.), that Minister of Industry and Trade, Rini Soewandi, at the end of January will officially open 3 traditional markets in 3 border sub-districts of Motaain, East Tasifeto sub-district, Turiskain, Raihat sub-district and Motamasin, Kobalima sub-district.

SATLAK Belu reported on Tuesday (20 Jan.) that UNHCR and WFP would assist ex-refugees through food for work programme. The activities in the five sectors i.e. education, health, sanitation, drainage and road construction, will be supported.

Selected Abbreviations Key

ACF Action Contre la Faim
BAKORNAS PBP National Coordinating Board for the Management of Disaster and IDPs/Refugees
BRIMOB Police Mobile Brigade
BULOG National Logistics Agency
CWS Church World Service
GAM Free Aceh Movement
GoRI Government of Indonesia
CARDI Consortium for Assistance to Refugees and the Displaced in Indonesia
CoHA Cessation of Hostilities Agreement
CORDAID Catholic Organisation for Relief and Development
HDC Henry Dunant Center
HH House Holds
ICMC International Catholic Migration Commission
IMC International Medical Corps
IDP Internally displaced person
IRD International Relief and Development
JRS Jesuit Refugee Service
JSC Joint Security Committee
KOMNAS HAM National Commission on Human Rights
KOPASSUS Army's Special Force
KOSTRAD Army's Strategic Reserve Command
MSF - B Medecins sans Frontieres Belgium
MCK Combined Bathing, Washing and Latrine Facility
OPM Free Papua Organization
PMI Indonesian Red Cross
Poliandes Field Health Post
Posyandu Integrated health service
Puskesmas Primary health centre
Pustu Primary health unit
SATKORLAK PBP Provincial Coordinating Unit for the Management of Disaster and IDPs/Refugees
SATLAK PBP District Executing Unit for the Management of Disaster and IDPs/Refugees
SC US Save the Children US
TNI Indonesian Armed Forces
WVI World Vision International

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

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