HTML pages designed & maintained by Alifuru67 Copyright © 1999/2000 - 1364283024 & 1367286044		Want to Help? CRISIS CENTRE DIOCESE OF AMBOINA Jalan Pattimura 32 - Ambon 97124 - Indonesia Tel 0062 (0)911 342195 Fax 0062 (0)911 355337 E-mail: compro@ambon.wasantara.net.id THE SITUATION IN AMBON / MOLUCCAS Report no. 151 We read the following reports on Masariku Network (by Arie Drentje): 1. EXCERPT FROM CONSOLIDATED SITUATION REPORT No. 15, 09 - 16 March 2001 UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) 16 Mar 2001 a) General Situation The past week has been quieter than the previous one and has been dominated by a number of positive initiatives. b) A National Dialogue Committee is currently being held (14-17 March) in Tual, Southeast Maluku. Some 200 Muslim and Christian participants travelled together from Ambon on the same ferry - in itself a big step forward. The Dialogue aims to bring people together from the whole province to propose ways to rehabilitate all aspects of their communities and to work towards reconciliation. The cultural principles of tolerance inherent in Maluku are being used as basis for the way forward. About 1,500 people are participating. c) The Baku Bae (peace and reconciliation advocacy) team is presently in Ambon meeting with local public and community leaders primarily pushing for establishing neutral areas, mostly intended for economic activities such as traditional markets run jointly by Muslims and Christians. Two specific locations have been identified, namely Nania village and Pohon Pule in Ambon City. Opening up of land routes is also on the agenda, to overcome the segregation and division between the parties to the conflict. The Baku Bae reconciliation team has conducted a series of road shows involving informal and formal leaders of both camps in the cities of Denpasar, Yogyakarta and Makassar. d) Although movement is still restricted along the road through Pohon Mangga, it has been officially open to traffic during the last week. The opening is significant, as the road was closed for at least eight months. e) Suara Maluku daily reported Tuesday that the local leaders and head of villages in Wahai sub-District, Northern Seram, of both Muslim and Christian faiths decided late last month to reject the presence of the Laskar Jihad. The Central Maluku military commander Lt. Col. Alfa Narande hailed the decision, saying it would pave the way to reconciliation and recommended that this example be followed. f) Siwalima: daily reported Tuesday that a group of Muslim lawyers have announced their readiness to defend the daily's editorial staff (perceived to be dominated by Christians) from an accusation by a Muslim leader, Thamrin Ely, who accused the daily of defamation. The daily alleged he was not taking his parliamentary duties seriously but instead socializing. g) Food Security Action contre la Faim (AcF) finalised the last exclusive food distribution in northern Buru. During the next distribution (planned for the end of April), seeds and tools distribution will take over, although it will be accompanied by food one last time to cover the period before the harvest. AcF is currently distributing food and hygienic products in Central Seram targeting about 40,000 people. During the coming week some 10,000 people will be targeted also in Seram Barat sub-district. h) The local press reported Saturday that governor Saleh Latuconsina said the Japanese would donate Rp3.39b (US$340,000) to support food distribution in Maluku, including Buru Island, Southeast Maluku, Central Maluku, and Ambon municipality. 2. NORTH MALUKU a) General Situation The general situation in North Maluku is calm and no security incidents were reported during the past week. b) Campaigns and lobbying for the election of the new Governor continue. Candidates are trying to muster the support of the provincial Parliament, which has members from five political parties, with Golkar holding the majority of seats. The elections are likely to take place at the end of April. c) USAID/OTI and the Provincial Government of North Maluku signed four MoUs regarding the procurement, transport and offloading of basic building materials to support IDPs returning to their home areas. The materials, worth a total amount of US$309,000, will be used for the reconstruction of houses in Galela, Tobelo, Malifut, Jailolo, Sahu and Bacan. The delivery of the construction materials to the above-mentioned areas is expected to be completed in one month. d) The Governor of North Maluku and the Embassy of Japan signed a grant contract in Jakarta. Of the total US$540,000 Japanese contribution, US$177,000 are intended for the transportation of relief supplies and displaced persons back to their home areas in North Maluku. Another US$88,343 will be used for education. The Ministry of National Education will be responsible for the construction of emergency school buildings for returnee children. e) IDP Issues/Population movements On 13 March, 52 Christian families (221 people) returned to Bacan Island from Tobelo. The North Maluku Governor and the North Maluku district head received the returnees, who have been accommodated in barracks, which have 50 rooms and 10 bathrooms. f) The government of North Maluku is planning to start the return of around 4,000 Christian IDPs from Bacan, North Maluku currently living on Seram Island, Maluku, by the end of April. g) A delegation sponsored by the Irian Jaya government is in Ternate to discuss the return of about 8,000 IDPs currently living in Sorong sub-district, Irian Jaya. h) Food Security AcF is registering IDPs for distribution of food in Bacan and Gane Timur sub-districts. i) Health ICRC and the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) conducted a health survey in Gane Timur sub-district. Médecins du Monde (MDM) was involved in health activities in Jailolo, Sahu, Ibu and Makian sub-districts. WVI distributed 778 kg of Vitadele (complementary food for children) and infant nutrient food to 606 children in 13 villages on Ternate Island. International Medical Corps (MCI) continued with medical consultations for patients in Kao, Morotai and Galela sub-districts. An Indonesian surgeon replaced the expatriate doctor, who will be stationed in Posi Posi, Rao sub-district. Médecins Sans Frontières-F (MSF-F), in cooperation with Labuha Puskesmas (community health centre) trained cadres and midwives at Sayoang and Babang camps in Bacan sub-district. j) Water and Sanitation MSF-F in Ternate monitored their water and sanitation activities and conducted bacteria tests in wells at four camps. MDM is working on a new plan for water and sanitation in some returnee areas of Jailolo, Kao, Sahu and Malifut, North Halmahera district. k) Distribution of Non-food Items ICRC continues distributing family kits in Loloda sub-district. Exact figures will be reported next week. WVI distributed family kits in Tobelo and seeds and farming tools in Kao. Exact figures could not be obtained. l) AcF conducted an assessment of agricultural products in Doi village, in Loloda sub-district, North Halmahera. The mission report is being finalised. C.J.Böhm MSc, Secretary of Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina Received via e-mail from : Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina Copyright © 1999-2001  - Ambon Berdarah On-Line * http://www.go.to/ambon HTML pages designed and maintained by Alifuru67 * http://www.oocities.org/maluku67 Send your comments to alifuru67@egroups.com