Landslides - Indonesia (NAD and East Java) OCHA Situation Report No. 1

Ref: OCHA/GVA - 2005/0177
Landslides - Indonesia (NAD and East Java)
19 October 2005

This situation report is based on information received from the United Nations Resident Coordinator's Office in Jakarta, provided by SATKORLAK PBP (Provincial Coordination Body for Disaster and IDPs Management) Nanggroe Aceh Darusalam, SATLAK Aceh Tenggara (District Coordination Body for Disaster and IDPs Management), SATLAK Malang, Department of Social Affairs (DinSos), and Indonesian Red Cross (PMI), IOM (International Organization for Migration) and media reports.

Situation

Aceh Tenggara District, NAD

1. On 18 October, heavy rains caused a flash flood and a number of landslides, inundating an area in two sub-districts, Kecamatan Semadam and Kecamatan Bukit Tusam. Six villages are reported to have been affected. The flood and landslide carrying mud inundated about 400-500 houses, affecting 1,000 internally displaced persons. At least 5 people are reported dead. The Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) reported that the disaster seriously injured 68 people and slightly injured another 143.

2. Limited road access due to thick mud has created difficulties to quickly move the affected communities from their houses. There is no electricity and clean water in the affected villages. The road from Medan to Kutacane is open and accessible, and communication using mobile phone was reportedly possible in the affected area.

Malang District, East Java

3. Floods and landslides, triggered by torrential rains, hit four sub-districts in Malang District of East Java Province on 17 October, affecting 12 villages, and killing one person and injuring another.

4. Initial reports indicate that the landslides damaged 284 houses, a mosque and a bridge. The floodwater, between 40 cm to 1 m high, inundated 105 houses, an elementary school, and 610 hectares of paddy fields. Many of the affected people moved in with families and neighbors in safer areas.

National Response

Aceh Tenggara District, NAD

5. The evacuation process of evacuation is on going. Between 120-200 displaced people have been evacuated to 5 safe areas. SATLAK, the District Military Commander, and PMI have deployed personnel to evacuate victims.

6. PMI has deployed 46 volunteers, and provided 40 family tents. IFRC has already dispatched several trucks from Medan carrying 400 cooking sets, 400 family tents, 400 food parcel and 400 tarpaulins.

7. The UN/IOM/IFRC assessment teams will depart from Medan tomorrow morning by helicopter (Mi-8) and road (two vehicles).

Malang District

8. The District Government has provided basic emergency relief (e.g., food, water, medicines and clothes) for the affected people. The Head of Malang District and his team will visit the affected area on 20 October to assess if further assistance will be required.

9. PMI has provided rice, sugar, cooking oil, instant noodle, stoves and clothes to Tirtoyudo Sub-District. PMI has also deployed its personnel to the affected areas to undertake further assessments.

Requirements

10. Based on PMI's observation in the field, the immediate assistance needed by the displaced persons include 5 large tents, 300 small tents, medical kits, cooking sets and food parcels for approximately 1000 families.

11. According to the District Government the most urgent needs are blankets, clothing, tents, and drinking water.

International Response

12. The Government of Indonesia has not formally requested international assistance so far.

13. OCHA is in close contact with relevant Government Authorities, the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Jakarta and will provide further information as required.

14. This situation report, together with further information on other ongoing emergencies is available on the OCHA Internet Website at http://www.reliefweb.int.

Map: Indonesia - NAD and East Java: Landslides - Situation map

Telephone: +41-22-917 12 34
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org

In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10

Desk Officer:
Ms. Hannah Entwisle
E-mail: entwisle@un.org
direct Tel. +41-22-917 1155

Press contact:
(GVA) Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, direct Tel. +41-22-917 26 53
(N.Y.) Ms. Stephanie Bunker, direct Tel. +1-917-367 51 26