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In Brief
Operations Update no. 6; Period covered: 22 June to 30 June 2006; Appeal target: CHF 38 million (USD 31 million or EUR 24 million); Appeal coverage: 69.7%; Outstanding needs: CHF 11.5 million ( EUR 7.4 million or USD 9.5 million)
Appeal history:
- Preliminary appeal launched on 27 May 2006 for CHF 12.8 million (USD 10.4 million or EUR 8.2 million) for 8 months to assist 200,000 beneficiaries.
- Revised appeal was launched on 6 June for CHF 38 million to assist 325,000 beneficiaries for 12 months.
Operational Summary:
One month after the earthquake struck Yogyakarta and surrounding regions, many affected residents in Bantul have started clearing the debris to begin the task of rebuilding their houses. However, according to Indonesian media, due to increasing demand, the prices, of construction materials such as sand, stones, bricks, cement and wood have increased sharply, making the task of rebuilding more difficult. With many residents still sheltering in temporary tents, the Governor of Yogyakarta has decided to extend the emergency phase, originally expected to end this month.
Currently running at a steady pace, the Indonesian Red Cross (Palang Merah Indonesia or PMI) operation supported by the Federation Yogyakarta Emergency Appeal continues to meet the needs of those affected by the quake. Relief, health and care and other programme components move forward, with relief in particular expected to surpass the target 65,000 beneficiaries less than two weeks. The early recovery project has been consolidated, with a full outline as well as scope and scale of the project defined and made available to partner national societies. The Federation wishes to expres its sincerest gratitude for the still continuing strong financial support by sister societies, governments, ECHO, other international organizations and private donors.
Background
An earthquake of magnitude of 6.3 on the Richter scale struck Yogyakarta and surrounding areas in Central Java at 05:54 hrs local time on 27 May 2006. It caused widespread destruction, injuries and loss of lives, with villages in the more remote areas south of Yogyakarta as well as in and around Bantul the most severely affected. The earthquake's epicentre was located some 20 km south-southeast of Yogyakarta at a depth of ten kilometres. Tremors were felt across the region, as far away as Semarang and Surabaya on the opposite coast of Java.
Operational developments
The governor of Yogyakarta has extended the emergency phase of the earthquake operations for an additional month, according to a local media source and a report from the national coordinating board for the management of disaster (BAKORNAS PBP). The extension would take into account the recovery process, particularly the reconstruction of the houses of victims who remain fearful following continued aftershocks.
The earthquake operation is divided into three phases - emergency operation (one to two months), rehabilitation (two to twelve months), reconstruction (seven to twenty-four months)(1). The report also stated that the number of deaths has increased to nearly 5,800, with the number of injuries now showing a slight decrease to about 37, 900 people.
To date, close to 141,800 tarpaulins or tents were distributed by the humanitarian community (comprising national and international groups) and the government of Indonesia to 122,300 households, according to data gathered by the Emergency Shelter Cluster Group(2). The damage assessment figures from the government, revised on 26 June, increased the number of houses 'beyond usability' by 47,000 to 353,700. With a distribution coverage of 37 percent, a total of approximately 230,000 households remain without any form of emergency shelter assistance. However, once supplies currently in the pipeline have been distributed by mid-July, the number of households still needing emergency shelter assistance is expected to reduce to 99,500. Currently, humanitarian agencies are operational in 58 of the 65 sub-districts affected by the earthquake (the total number of sub-districts in the two affected provinces is 104).
In the meantime, Mt. Merapi continues to pose a threat to surrounding areas, as lava continues to flow down the mountain and pyroclastic clouds travel distances of almost four kilometres. According to the latest report from BAKORNAS(3), more than of 6,300 people have been displaced by Mt Merapi - 2,500 people from Klaten district and almost 4,000 people from Sleman district.
Red Cross and Red Crescent action - objectives, progress, impact
The operation has continued to run according to the parameters outlined in the emergency appeal, with more than two-thirds of targeted families already receiving emergency relief. Current and planned expenditure will amount to approximately 45 percent of the current forecasted income for the end of June. Expenditure has mostly incurred on emergency relief items, making up one-third of total current and planned expenditure to date.
There is increasing pressure on Palang Merah Indonesia (PMI) to expand its operations to meet the needs of the affected people, but the PMI is already working beyond its capacity. The PMI is discussing with partners to find a workable solution.
Assessments in Gunung Kelin and Kulon Progo are being conducted by PMI. In Gunung Kelin, a crack in the mountain caused by the earthquake has forced 200 people to move from their homes to the village of Girimulyo, which is also at some risk. A team from the geology faculty of Gadjah Mada University and Pemda Kulonprogo are assessing the potential threat.
The PMI is developing a communications strategy to enable them to report back to beneficiaries as well as to build PMI's image in the wider community and support its role in civil society. A survey is being developed to ascertain information needs and communication options with both beneficiaries and volunteers, and is expected to be approved for implementation at the end of next week.
On IT/telecom, a more stable internet connection is expected to be available to the delegation in approximately two weeks. The Danish ERU has made a national staff available to provide IT support to the delegation. Radio installation has been completed, despite difficulties because of the topography of the area. The PMI's local knowledge of the area ensured the best locations for repeaters were identified with maximum speed and authorizations were granted within a week.
Related to Mt. Merapi emergency operations, Spanish Red Cross are still supporting PMI with trucking water in Sleman, covering approximately 7,000 people. The current plan in conjunction with PMI and the government is to cover this area until 20 August, after which the situation will be reviewed.
For further information specifically related to this operation please contact:
In Indonesia: Indonesian Red Cross (PMI), Mr. Arifin M. Hadi (acting head of disaster management division); mobile: (+62 811) 943952; telephone: (+62 21) 799 2325 ext. 222; email: arifinmhd@telkom.net
Federation delegation, Mr Peter Cameron (acting head of delegation); email: peter.cameron@ifrc.org; mobile: +62 81 2104 8209; Mr Peder Damm (head of sub delegation in Yogyakarta); email: ped@drk.dk; mobile: +62 811 927 334, tel (PMI Yogyakarta branch office): +62 274 376812.
In Thailand: Federation Southeast Asia regional delegation, Mr Michael Annear (head of disaster management unit, phone: +66 2661 8201 ext 430, e-mail: michael.annear@ifrc.org; Mr Bekele Geleta (head of regional delegation), phone: +66 2661 8201 ext 100, email: bekele.geleta@ifrc.org
In Geneva: Asia Pacific department, Mr Gert Venghaus; email: gert.venghaus@ifrc.org, mobile +41 79 217 3368, phone: +41 22 730 4258, fax: +41 22 7330395.
Footnotes:
(1) BAKORNAS earthquake bulletins are available in Bahasa from http://www.bakornaspbp.go.id/html/buletindijjateng.htm
(2) Emergency Shelter Cluster Group - Situation Report 28 June 2006
(3) BAKORNAS Mt Merapi bulletins are available in Bahasa from http://www.bakornaspbp.go.id/html/buletinmerapi.htm
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