- Overview
Bakornas, the national coordination body for natural disasters, stopped issuing daily reports on the number of dead, missing and displaced as a result of the tsunami on 26 March 2005.
- To 20 April 2005, the total reported dead as a result of the 26 December 2004 tsunami stands at 128,515 in Aceh and 130 in North Sumatra. The number of IDPs stands at 513,278 in Aceh and 19,620 in North Sumatra.
- To 21 April 2005, the total reported dead as a result of the 28 March 2005 earthquake stands at 905: 845 in North Sumatra and 60 in Aceh. The number of IDPs stands at an estimated 106,800 people: approximately 60,500 in North Sumatra province and 46,300 in Aceh province.
Development of the Government Blueprint for the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of Aceh, North Sumatra and Nias is progressing. The Government will manage nearly US$ 5 billion in reconstruction funds over the next 5 years, award tenders to the private sector for reconstruction work and deal directly with donor countries and agencies. On 28-29 March, the local planning commission (BAPPEDA) held consultations with various private sector actors, which were followed by two days of discussion with district government officials. Similar consultations with academia were conducted on 19-20 April. The final round of consultations, which will be with communities at the district level, is planned for late April-early May. Once completed, the results of these and other consultations will be consolidated and incorporated into a final, detailed rehabilitation and reconstruction plan.
On 24 April, the Indonesian Government agreed to a 14-day visa extension for foreign aid workers in Aceh as it reviews its post-tsunami reconstruction operations. The visa extension can be obtained in Banda Aceh or in Medan. During the 14 days, the Government is reviewing detailed reports prepared by the foreign aid organisations working in Aceh and North Sumatra in order to be able to decide whether to further extend the visas, as well as to improve coordination and minimise duplication of efforts.
On Saturday 23 April, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi visited Banda Aceh and was briefed about UN and NGO relief and recovery activities. The Japanese Self Defense Force was present in Aceh until their departure in March, where it assisted in the distribution of relief goods and collaborated in administering more than 1,600 vaccinations to children living in remote locations. Japanese NGOs remain present in Aceh providing relief and recovery assistance to the affected communities.
2. Sectoral Developments from Tsunami Relief Operation
Health:
The extraordinary loss of life and deep trauma caused by the tsunami has generated widespread mental health-related issues in Aceh province, the most serious of which are only beginning to emerge. IOM's medical staff returned to Rumah Sakit Jiwa Psychiatric Hospital in Banda Aceh this week for the fifth in a series of mental health training sessions that have included frontline Acehnese medical staff, hospital administrators and community leaders. The programme was developed with the Ministry of Health to train medical staff on basic counselling and early detection of mental health disorders so that appropriate solutions may be offered to victims suffering from tsunami or non-tsunami related mental illness. In cooperation with the Community Mental Health trainers, more than 100 public health centre workers from 10 different clinics and selected community leaders have successfully graduated from the training. In addition, the three-day-long training session was provided to 27 newly graduated Acehnese general practitioners.
Shelter:
On 25 April, BAPPEDA and the Department of Public Works announced that an estimated 179,000 houses will need to be constructed either in the place of origin of the IDPs or in relocation sites. In reply to the enquiry from the Shelter Sector Working Group regarding which government agency to approach in order to obtain permission to commence reconstruction projects, the Provincial authorities stated that agencies planning reconstruction projects should first obtain the agreement of the Bupati (District Head). IDPs are free to return to their place origin, including the so-called Green Zone (originally declared construction free), but that issues such as escape routes should be included in the planning process.
In the meantime, the Temporary Living Centres (TLCs) or baraks do provide a good solution to the temporary shelter needs of IDPs, however many have severe design and construction faults or are built in inappropriate areas such as paddy fields, so that they do not meet minimum SPHERE standards. The building contractors have been asked to rectify the faults, however, UNICEF and NGO members of the WATSAN Sector Working Group will provide technical advice and support with the relocation of wells, relocation and construction of latrines and improvement of drainage systems. Many of the TLCs are only partially occupied or are empty because of the faults, and location in some cases, while in other areas there are not enough TLCs and people are waiting for more to be constructed.
IOM's temporary shelter construction site located in Tingkeum village, a small farming community 15 minutes from central Banda Aceh, has opened its doors to 107 families left homeless by the tsunami. The four-room 36-sq/m RISHA II shelter units are designed for three years of occupancy and are equipped with a kitchen and private bathroom, are piped for water and wired for electricity. The units may be quickly reconfigured for use as clinics, schools and meeting rooms, and can be easily dismantled and moved to a different location at a later date. The Ministry of Public Works approved three new sites at Lambada Lhok, Cut Paya and Punge Blang Cut in Darussalam, Aceh Besar that could accommodate up to 708 shelter units. Ground breaking will begin in the first week of May 2005. Seven other potential construction sites in the vicinity of Tingkeum have been identified as possible construction sites. Assessments have been completed and the project is now in the design phase.
Food and Nutrition:
Following the nutrition assessment conducted in 13 tsunami-affected districts and the high percentage of wasting or acute malnutrition (11.6% among displaced children and 11.4% for children not displaced, reaching 17.1% in some districts), UNICEF, WFP and their NGO partners SCF and ACF will introduce blanket supplementary feeding programmes in the affected communities for all under 5s and pregnant and lactating women. The agencies held a coordination meeting with Nutrition Programmers from the District Health Officers of 17 districts and 2 cities. In addition to supplementary food distribution, UNICEF is looking into wider distribution of RUTF (theraputic foods) such a Plumpy Nuts after a pilot distribution in Aceh Besar district was well-received. The supplementary feeding programme will initially be for a period of three months.
WFP plans to reach a total of 720,000 vulnerable people with food aid in the month of April in Aceh and North Sumatra provinces. Since the tsunami the agency has distributed 47,112 MT of food (rice, noodles, vegetable oil, canned fish and biscuits). The monthly food distribution is progressing in both provinces with a revised schedule for the districts of Aceh Barat Daya and Aceh Selatan, for which the distributions are expected to start shortly. In Jaya sub-district in Aceh Jaya, the monthly distributions have been completed by ACF for approximately 16,600 beneficiaries, however in one of the 7 distribution points, they were unable to deliver food because of a security concern. In that location they distributed the food through the chief. In other sub-districts (Panga, Krueng Sabe and Calag), ACF has decided to withdraw from food distribution and so WFP food is being distributed directly also in collaboration with village chiefs. These distributions will be completed shortly for 14,300 beneficiaries.
Stocks are in place (557 MT of biscuits and 95.3 MT of noodles) in Medan in preparation for full a distribution programme in May.
The school feeding activities, which commenced in early April in Aceh and are undertaken in collaboration with government at all levels, has a target of 110,000 children by the end of the month and some 340,000 by August 2005. The programme has started in Banda Aceh, Aceh Besar, Pidie, Aceh Jaya, Aceh Barat, Aceh Utara and Lhokseumawe. It is implemented through five local cooperating partners (Muhammadiyah, Al-Amin, Yasindo, Keumang and Indonesian Red Cross) or directly by WFP in districts where no suitable NGO partners have yet been identified.
Water and Sanitation:
WHO and UNICEF are taking coordinated action on water sample testing in Aceh. On 25 April, a WHO water specialist gave a practical demonstration to NGOs on the use of water testing kits that measure the turbidity of the water sample and identify bacteria and salinity. WHO, UNICEF and the Ministry of Health will provide training to 259 sanitation workers on the use of the kits and UNICEF will distribute H2S water testing strips to those agencies involved in the survey and subsequent routine surveillance. Following sample-testing visits to TLCs in the Banda Aceh area it was advised that some wells should be abandoned and relocated within the Centres because of their close proximity to latrines, which has caused contamination. Members of the WATSAN Sector Working Group are addressing the poor WATSAN conditions in the TLCs
In Meulaboh, Oxfam, World Vision and UNDP closely coordinate with the Department of Health (Dinas Kesehatan) and Department of Waste Management (Dinas Kebersihan) with the removal of solid and sludge waste from TLCs, camps and hospitals in Aceh Barat. WHO and UNICEF will jointly manage the employment of heavy equipments expected to arrive within two months. OCHA has detected better coordination in the WATSAN working group and more actors interested in filling the gaps of information and assistance. NGOs have begun assessing WATSAN needs of TLCs and IRC/CARDI has agreed to cover WATSN needs in two TLCs in Johan Pahlawan sub-district of Aceh Barat, (Suak Nie and Suak Raya). The trucking of drinking water is supported mainly by Oxfam using 19 tankers, providing 312 m3/day to cover the needs in Aceh Barat and Nagan Raya. The involvement of WHO and UNICEF has been crucial in this sector.
ECHO has announced a WATSAN planning workshop for 19 May and invited agencies planning to implement WATSAN projects to attend and submit projects for funding.
Livelihoods:
UNDP's Cash for Work project has expanded considerably, and now has activities underway or set to begin in 78 villages, 21 sub districts, 4 districts and 1 city in Aceh province, benefiting around 8,000 people. A total of five NGO contracts are on-going at present, with a further four in the pipeline. The biggest concentration of workers at the moment is in Aceh Barat, where cash for work has employed 4,035 people in work such as rubble clearing, and rehabilitation of public infrastructure. Cash for work employees in Bireun have repaired around 60% of boats that suffered light damage, cleaned 90% of village areas and cleared 70% of one of the two main canals that feed water to fishponds.
Also in support of livelihoods IOM launched a duck-farming training programme for around 200 women in the village of Lancang, which will provide the women with a viable home industry. The first two days of training introduced 37 local women to the basics of animal husbandry, the construction of coops, diet and vaccinations. The women will be supported by a field trainer over the next three months. This training is part of a larger IOM counter-trafficking livelihood initiative that includes sewing and baking classes, and other cottage industries offered to women with little or no previous work experience outside the home. The goal is to provide women with a livelihood to empower them and reduce the risk of their being trafficked to locations elsewhere in Indonesia and abroad.
Environment:
UNDP municipal waste collection teams have expanded the coverage area of the operation and are now collecting waste from across the city, including from key facilities such as markets and campuses. To date, they have collected and disposed of 2,940 cubic metres of waste. Tsunami waste recycling workers are also increasing their coverage, and have now processed 2,880 cubic metres of waste. These projects now employ 250 people, a figure which will increase as work expands further in Meulaboh.
3. Sectoral Developments from the Sumatra Earthqauke Relief Operation
Assessments:
A UNDP team is preparing to travel to Nias and Simeulue to assess possible contributions by the agency to the recovery effort following the 28 March earthquake, including an assessment of the condition of the port and the extent of rehabilitation needed. There is the possibility of including the rehabilitation work into existing UNDP plans for rehabilitation of ports damaged by the tsunami of 26 December. UNDP was already planning to support the construction of 1,500 homes in Simeulue that were also damaged prior to the 28 March quake.
Food and Nutrition:
In Nias, as the situation stabilises and the emergency phase subsides, earlier blanket distributions are now being adjusted for a more targeted distribution to approximately 117,000 beneficiaries, who were directly affected by the earthquake (house &/or livelihood destroyed) and lived in the poorest communities. WFP hosts food coordination meetings twice a week to update on ongoing and planned distributions as well as discuss issues with its NGO partners.
Following assessment visits to Singkil and Sibolga/Pandang (Sibolga town and Sibuluan camp), a one-time, two-week ration will be provided to some 20,000 IDPs, who were affected by the earthquake.
In addition to the Emergency Needs Assessment (ENA) jointly conducted with CARE on Simeulue Island, WFP is currently assessing the potential to introduce a school- feeding programme there. The ENA will determine the longer-term impact of the earthquake and its implications on food aid on the island. The field survey should be completed in early May.
Health:
WHO in Nias reports an outbreak of acute diarrhea in the sub district of Alasa - Desa Tugala Oyo affecting some 80 families. A 65 year old man has died and nearly 50 people are suffering from diarrhea and vomiting, several in critical condition. Reports indicate that the numbers are too many and too ill to be moved to Gunung Sitoli. Tests confirm there is no cholera outbreak at present, nevertheless, WHO are sending a cholera kit to Nias in case of future outbreaks. An Indonesian Army medical unit is monitoring cases of diarrhoea and skin diseases in isolated areas of south west Simeulue.
A Measles Vaccination Campaign started on 16 April in collaboration with 84 health staff members from the Provincial Health Office, targeting children 3 months to 15 years old, mainly in IDP camps. To 19 April, 767 people have been immunised in 13 IDPs sites in Gunung-Sitoli Sub District and the campaign will continue until 26 April.
On 20 April, WHO sent 5,000 blister packs of malaria medicines to the District Health Office on Nias, while SurfAid plans to distribute bednets and hold malaria prevention activities in Nias Barat and Teluk Dalam sub districts while IMC has planned similar activities in 5 Nias sub districts of Afulu Namohalo, Lotu, Hiliduho,Tuhem berua. Several sites in Nias have been fogged as a preventive step against mosquitoes and malaria.
As of 18 of April, the number of medical staff deployed to Nias included 219 national staff members and 122 foreign nationals. However, health remains a concern in the southern part of the island with not enough medical NGOs present to cover the needs.
UNFPA is providing 25 midwifery kits to the Provincial Health Office on Nias that should arrive within the week and is assessing the need for similar kits in Simeulue.
Water and Sanitation:
OXFAM reports that water provision in most areas of Nias is now above the minimum SPHERE standards, with the exception of Teluk Dalam. The NGO is now distributing 333,000 litres of water daily in Gunung Sitoli to 22,200 people, through 33 water points around the city
Shelter:
UNHCR has been requested by the Governor of North Sumatra province and the Bupati on Nias Island to provide shelter and NFI assistance. Following assessment visits to the west coast and the town of Sirombu, it was found that the local population has moved inland and is no longer willing to live by the sea. Other UN agencies and NGOs conducting assessment visits in other parts of Nias and also on Simeulue Island have found similar situations with IDPs living in spontaneous settlements on the hills. The government plans to relocate communities reluctant to move back to the coast, for example, in Sirombu, the plan is to move the town some 2-3 kilometres inland, with those who make their livelihood through fishing having to commute to the coast by bicycle. As regards immediate assistance UNHCR has placed an order for some 2,000 lightweight tents along with 5,000 plastic sheets, 5,000 jerry cans, 3,500 kitchen sets and 3 rubhalls from its emergency stockpiles to be delivered to Medan, from where they will be immediately distributed to Nias.
Livelihoods:
The International Organization for Migration is implementing a market revitalization program on the islands of Nias and Simeulue in an effort to boost local economic development. The project is funded by the European Union's Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO) and supports the revitalization of marketplaces and the construction of nearly 1,000 market stalls in Nias and Simeulue. IOM is identifying people who lost their homes and livelihoods to the 8.7 magnitude quake and is providing them with the carpentry skills they need in order to participate in the cash-for-work programme. As in many parts of Indonesia, neighbourhood markets are fundamental to the economic and social well being of the local community. In addition to providing a livelihood to vendors and a source of fresh food items to consumers, markets create numerous secondary jobs for porters, cleaners, restaurant and café-owners, and bus and motorcycle drivers.
4. Logistics
In Nias, road conditions have improved and relief aid deliveries are now being undertaken mostly by road, though air deliveries continue for the northwest part of the island where access is still limited. Approximately 1790 metric tons of relief goods have been distributed by 55 IOM trucks throughout Nias since 28 March.
UNHAS continues its operations in Nias and Simeulue with the Twin Otters flying scheduled flights to Nias and Simeulue 3 times a week (Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays for Nias and Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays for Simeulue). Due to increasing demand for travel on the route between Meulaboh to Calang, UNHAS reviewed its schedule on the route, which is now available three times a week (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays).
For the latest comprehensive report regarding logistics please see UNJLC's latest situation report at www.unjlc.org
Useful websites:
Government:
www.bakornaspbp.go.id (National Coordination Board for Natural Disaster Management)
www.acehrecovery.bakornaspbp.go.id.
www.depsos.go.id (Department of Social Affairs)
www.depkes.go.id (Department of Health)
www.lin.go.id (National Information Board-Ministry of Information and Communication)
www.info-ri.com (Information-Republic Indonesia)
UN agencies and IOM:
ww.unaids.org
Other:
www.coe-dmha.org/tsunami.htm (daily chronology of key events)
www.apan-info.net - tsunami page (Pacific Command)
For detailed information please contact:
Oliver Lacey-Hall
Officer-in-Charge, OCHA Indonesia
Tel. +62 21 314 1308
Fax. +62 21 319 00 003
Mobile +62 811 825 278
Email: lacey-hall@un.org
Iain Disley, Reports Officer
Tel. +62 21 314 1308
Fax. +62 21 319 00 003
Mobile +62 812 10 50 835
Email: disley@un.org