Indonesia: OCHA Daily Situation Report on Aceh - No. 4

1. Highlights
   The two-days' peace talks between the GoRI and GAM failed on Sunday (18 May) evening in Tokyo after GAM refused to accept the Government's conditions to abandon its quest for independence, disarm and accept the NAD autonomy law. The GoRI imposed a state of Martial Law in the Province effective midnight 19 May through a Presidential Decree No. 28/2003 for an extendible period of six months. The newly installed military commander Maj. General Endang Suwarya is appointed as the military ruler assisted by the Aceh Governor and the Chief of the provincial prosecutor's office. GAM military spokesperson has expressed the readiness to resume war, called on all citizens to go on strike (avoid going to offices including gas stations), and asked the people to obey military orders (GAM military instructions).

Five GAM members were arrested again on Monday (19 May) at 01.30 hours just minutes after the government imposed martial law.

The co-sponsors of the Tokyo conference, in a joint statement, bemoaned the failure of talks between the conflicting parties.

According to the local media, Indonesia's military launched rocket attacks on rebels in Aceh Besar on Monday (19 May) and troops began parachuting just hours after the President put the province under martial law. Footage broadcast on local television showed smoke rising from a set of hills after two war planes swooped low over a rise, some 12 miles from the airport at the provincial capital, Banda Aceh. Six C-130 Hercules transport aircraft released 458 soldiers over an airstrip close to Banda Aceh. Officials also said around 700 marines had come ashore near the industrial town of Lhokseumawe.

TNI Chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto and National Police Chief General Da'i Bachtiar are in Banda Aceh to coordinate the military operations with the provincial commanders.

2. Coordination

The IASC Country Team met this afternoon to discuss the situation. The participants provided updates on their respective presence, activities, and contingency arrangements, and exchanged view on the security situation in the Province. It was agreed to arrange an extraordinary UN/NGO/Donor meeting on Wednesday (21 May) to provide further updates on the situation.

Subsequently, OCHA Jakarta met with representatives of BAKORNAS PBP and the Provincial SATKORLAK to discuss coordination structures and security arrangements. The main interlocutor for humanitarian assistance will continue to be SATKORLAK, however, a newly established coordination team (Tim 5P) will also be involved. The humanitarian assistance will remain under the responsibility of the Governor, however, the Governor is now subordinate to the military commander.

In regard to security, BAKORNAS recommended that all persons wishing to work in Aceh for humanitarian assistance should write to BAKORNAS, copy to the Head of the UNRC in Banda Aceh, explaining purpose of the programme. BAKORNAS would then write to the military commander, and appropriate security would be arranged by the military. For all movement outside Banda Aceh, the military would have to be informed, and their security advice would have to be followed.

3. Humanitarian actors:

UN: OCHA, UNICEF, WHO, WFP
NGOs: CARDI, ICMC, OXFAM, PBI, SC US
Other Organizations: ICRC
Government: SATKORLAK PBP, Provincial Departments of Health, Public Works and Social Affairs.

4. Humanitarian assistance by sector

Food

The local government reported that it has stocked enough food supplies to cover anticipated IDPs reaching 100,000 people from 85 potential sites around the province for the next two months.

Health

Head of the Provincial Health Department mentioned on Sunday (18 May) that the government has prepared 1000 beds in hospitals around Banda Aceh capital in case of emergency to accommodate victims of the conflict. Health officials added that the 233 health centres have also been equipped with doctors to handle immediate health crisis.

WHO has established a direct emergency hot-line service with the Provincial General Hospital and Crisis Centre for up-dates on emergency health related information.

Shelter

Internal Affairs Minister said on Monday (19 May) in Jakarta that the government has prepared 4,000 tents to shelter IDPs in 28 potential sites in Aceh.

Affected populations

Internal Affairs Minister stated in Jakarta on Monday (19 May) that the government has made preparations to evacuate citizens concentrated in potential conflict areas in Aceh. He added that the priority area at this point is Bireuen District where some 2,000 people have been displaced from the clashes that took place on Sunday 18 May. The Bupati (District Administrator) of Bireuen District was quoted to have said that previously reported 11,500 IDP have already returned to their villages of origin.

Operational issues (logistics)

No changes to be reported.

Constraints (access, funding, staffing)

Nothing news to be reported.

5. Security

The security situation in Banda Aceh and Lhokseumawe (North Aceh) remains calm at the time of this writing and people continue with their normal activities even just hours after the imposing of martial law.

Clashes were reported occurring on Monday (19 May) at 09.00 hours in Seumireu village, Nisam sub-district, North Aceh between GAM and GoRI forces. No casualties have been reported up to this point.

Skirmishes were also reported from Jeumpa sub-district in Bireuen District on Sunday (18 May) where GAM attacked a Brimob post injuring one Brimob personnel.

6. Any other matters

High tide rise since Friday, 16 May, has reportedly flooded 748 houses in suburbs of Langsa, East Aceh, leaving 600 families displaced to nearby villages.

Some Abbreviations

Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
UN Building 5th Floor
Jl. MH Thamrin 14
P.O. Box 2238, Indonesia

FAX: (+62-21) 319-00-003
PHONE: (+62-21) 314-1308
Ext. 126, 150