Indonesia - OCHA Consolidated Situation Report No. 155
15 - 21 November 2003
ACEH (Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam)
General Situation
During the week, local press reported that 7 civilians, one police officer, and 19 GAM
members were killed as result of violent incidents in Aceh province.
A local newspaper, Serambi, reported on Tuesday (18 Nov.), that Coordinating
Minister for Political and Security Affairs, S.B. Yudhoyono, on Monday (17 Nov.) after
a meeting with the President Megawati told reporters that the Government would not
open the door for dialogue with GAM, because in the past GAM always violated the
agreements. However, he supported the idea for dialogue mentioned that it should be
based only in the frame of Special Autonomy Law.
On Tuesday (18 Nov.), President Megawati signed a Presidential Decree no. 97, 2003
to issue emergency status in Aceh for another six months.
Pro-military groups have emerged in Aceh province where on 12 November a group
calling itself Berantas (People's Anti-Separatist Front) announced its formation in
North Aceh district. Their aim was to build community support to fight GAM and to
report suspected GAM activities to the military. The group has compiled 500
members in villages in and around North Aceh and nearby Bireuen district, where a
great amount of fighting has taken place.
Population Movement
IOM reported that as of Thursday (20 Nov.), the total number of IDPs in the province
decreased to 7,140 families (1,604 persons) in 8 sites within 5 districts.
Indonesian newswire, Antara, reported that on Saturday (15 Nov.) some 2,174 IDPs
sheltered in Keutapang and Kuala Merisi camps, Aceh Jaya district, returned to their
villages due to improvement of the security situation.
Health
UNICEF health project officer visited the province from 18 to 20 November to assist
the improvement of vaccination programme cold chain in Aceh, in which UNICEF is in
the process of delivering more than 100 refrigerators to 20 districts and one cold room
in Banda Aceh. In addition, UNICEF Finance Section staff also traveled to Banda
Aceh from 17 to 20 November to deal with accountability reports from counterparts
with regard to its humanitarian assistance to the province.
WHO attended a ceremony in Banda Aceh to commemorate National Health Day
along with officials from the Health Ministry and Provincial Health Department on
Thursday (20 Nov.). During the ceremony, the Health Ministry encouraged
international humanitarian organisations in Aceh to continue to cooperate and provide
assistance to cover health needs in the province.
Local trained health staff of the Health Workers in Conflict Workshop submitted three
proposals to WHO to conduct three trainings in Aceh scheduled to be held in
December 2003 in the provincial and district levels.
CENTRAL SULAWESI
General Situation
From 15 to 16 November, the Police arrested 2 suspects and shot dead a third
suspect in connection with the attacks at Poso Pesisir last month. Several hundred
persons from Tabalo village rioted in front of Police headquarter in Poso (Polres).
Heavy defence was at the police station including Brimob and TNI forces.
Two bodies were found in a car near Poso Kota early on Sunday (16 Nov.). They were
identified as Orantje and Yohanes Tadjoja, one of whom was the Treasurer of the
Central Sulawesi Christian Church (GKST). The driver's body was found near the
market area of town. The victims had been shot dead.
A bus was stopped and windows smashed travelling between Poso to Tentena at
Kuku village. Early reports stated a person was abducted.
Several automatic weapons were seized from a house in Palu on Saturday (15 Nov.).
The situation in Poso and Tentena is tense and agencies have withdrawn most staff
from the districts.
On Tuesday (18 Nov.), a number of people attacked a police post at Toripa, Poso
Pesisir. Villagers heard gunshots, but no casualties were reported.
Food Security and Agriculture
On Friday (21 Nov.), CWS is conducting harvest training at Watumaeta village of
North Lore sub-district. The topics of training are how to produce soybean milk, tempe
(soybean cake), tomato sauce, and orange syrup.
Education
On 14 November, Mercy Corps facilitated and conducted Micro Financial Training on
How to Implement CGAP Standard in Micro Financial Management. 14 participants
from 6 LNGOs attended the training.
On Monday (17 Nov.), Mercy Corps assisted distribution of educational items by its
local partner, Yayasan Karunia, to 130 elementary students in SDN 2 Poso, Tegal
Rejo.
Economic Recovery and Infrastructure
On Monday and Tuesday (17 and 18 Nov.), Mercy Corps funded Yayasan Karunia for
implementation of a non-food programme for 97 households (485 people) in Podi of
Tojo sub-district and 408 households (1,445 people) in Buyukatedo of Lage
sub-district.
MALUKU
General Situation
Antara on Sunday (16 Nov.), quoted the Indonesian Navy Eastern Fleet Commander,
Rear Admiral Slamet Subiyanto, saying that with the opening of a major naval base in
Ambon, the East Indonesia sea security task force in the Maluku provincial capital will
have to be moved to Biak, Yapen Waropen district of Irian Jaya.
Population movement
A local newspaper, Siwalima, quoted the officer in charge for IDPs Posko for Maluku
province, Rahman Soumena, saying that Maluku government has launched a
document intended to serve as a "guideline for IDPs return" process on Thursday (20
Nov.). According to him, the government will also form a socialization team that will
involve the IDPs, the local community, security apparatus, and local authority.
Assessment
Mercy Corps went to Wamkana sub-village on Buru Island to monitor implementation
of a school programme that covers construction of classrooms and distribution of
school equipment. The programme has been implemented by an LNGO, Nusa Bipolo.
A team from OCHA Maluku went to Lengkong sub-village, Salahutu sub-district of
Central Maluku district to confirm an urgent need requested by the settlers. There are
115 displaced families from Iha village on Saparua Island who will be resettled in the
area. Water, a clinic and school facilities do not exist in the area and the government
has no plans as of yet to fulfil the needs. OCHA has informed aid organisations to
consider provision of assistance in the area.
AcF conducted a food security survey in Kairatu and West Seram sub-districts on
Seram Island from 17 to 22 November.
Health
AcF conducted second health education session on malaria disease in eleven villages
in North East Buru and North South Buru sub-districts on Buru Island.
Through Maluku Provincial Health department, WHO carried out a workshop on Health
as a Bridge for Peace Programme from 14 to 18 November. 537 health workers in
Ambon city attended the workshop.
According to WHO, the Central Maluku Health Department in Central Maluku reported
seven cases of suspected rabies infected dog bites. Meanwhile, positive rabies
infection has been confirmed in two dogs.
A local newspaper, Info Baru, quoted the Director of a Public Hospital in Ambon city,
Dr. Joppy Manuputy, on Monday (17 Nov.), saying that one Ambon citizen died in the
hospital of HIV-AIDS during 2003 period. According to data from the Provincial Health
Department, eight patients have been positively diagnosed as having HIV-AIDS and
seven have died.
Shelter and Non-food Item
Through an LNGO, Yayasan Ina Hasa Laut, Mercy Corps distributed non-food items
to 44 displaced families in Halong Navy base, Ambon city.
Education
Through LNGOs, Yayasan Maluku Membangun and Yayasan Eklesia Nuanulu
Manusela, Mercy Corps distributed school equipment to 1,058 students in nine
primary schools and two junior high schools on Seram Island.
SC UK conducted a community workshop in Pohon Puleh, Air Salobar, Gonzalo and
Waai villages of Ambon island. The workshop was aimed at giving feedback from a
previous focus group discussion with children, youth and adults in the communities.
Some 110 participants attended the workshop. The activity is part of a SC UK's
ENACT (Engaging Activities for Involving Children and Young People in Building
Respectful and Safe Communities) programme funded by AusAid.
NORTH MALUKU
General Situation
A local newspaper, Ternate Pos, reported on Wednesday (18 Nov.), that a bomb
exploded at Tobelo harbour on Saturday evening (15 Nov.) and has injured four
youngsters. One of the youngsters was seriously injured and the three others were
slightly injured. The people of Tobelo do not seem affected by the explosion and carry
on their activities normally.
Assessment
SC UK conducted a field assessment for the preparation of education programme in
Sahu and Ibu sub-districts on Thursday (6 Nov.) and in Morotai Island from 12 to 14
November.
Education
SC UK conducted Theatre Workshop for children in SD Biang A and SD Biang B in
Tobelo sub-district from 10 to 15 November.
WVI monitored and conducted evaluation of the activities in 4 Happy Houses in Tobelo
and Galela sub-districts from 13 to 17 November.
WVI distributed the prizes from the 4th edition of its magazine to 4 elementary
schools in Tobelo sub-district on Monday (17 Nov.).
UNICEF held a Social Protection and Education Coordination meeting with INGO's on
Monday (17 Nov.). The meeting focused on principles of working within the
government/education guidelines, peace education, mapping social protection and
education work, and corporeal punishment and violence in schools.
PAPUA
General Situation
The Jakarta Post reported on Saturday (15 Nov.), that the Minister of Home Affairs
Hari Sabarno installed on November 14 Brig. Gen. (ret) Abraham Octovianus Atururi
as the governor of West Irian Jaya province, despite controversy over the status of the
province. Atururi was inaugurated based on presidential decree No. 213/M dated
November 11 2003, which followed a previous decree stipulating the creation of the
province signed in January. His inauguration marks the official split of West Irian Jaya
from Papua.
The Jakarta Post reported on Saturday (15 Nov.), that the National Commission on
Human Rights (Komnas HAM) said that based on preliminary findings the Indonesian
military (TNI) committed gross right abuses in Wasior in 2001 and Wamena regency
in 2003, and says it is launching a legal probe into the incidents. According to the
Head of Komnas HAM's Papua investigation team, Sa'afroudin Bahar, TNI personnel
tortured 48 people, killed seven, and forcibly evacuated some 7,000 residents in
Wamena between April and June 2003 during a raid by the Army. This raid occurred
after alleged Free Aceh Movement (OPM) members broke into a TNI arms warehouse
in Wamena regency on April 2003 and escaped with 29 rifles. Meanwhile in Wasior
regency, 16 people were tortured, three killed and dozens of homes were burned down
by police during raids carried out after six troopers from the police's paramilitary force
and the Mobile Brigade (BRIMOB), who were guarding a logging company, were killed
by a group of Papuan rebels.
A local newspaper, Papua Post, quoted the Chief of Military Base Command Papua,
Mayjen Nurdin Zainal, on Saturday (14 Nov.), saying that the military would continue
to implement a non-war military operation to combat every separatist group in Papua.
Nurdin emphasized that there was no time limit for a non-war military operation.
Population Movement
Papua Post reported on Thursday (20 Nov.), that 51 West Papuan refugees living in
Daru, Papua New Guinea, for about 40 years would soon be returned to their villages
of origin in Merauke. Head of Merauke district, John Gluba Gebze, stated that they
would temporarily stay in camps until housing assistance from the Central
Government arrives.
WEST TIMOR
General Situation
The security in Larantuka of East Flores district is back to normal after a riot occurred
on Saturday (15 Nov.) where a local district court and the public prosecutor's office
were set ablaze. The riot started when a judge sentenced a local priest, Father Frans
Amanue, to jail after he was found guilty of libeling the head of East Flores district,
Felix Fernandez. Provincial police chief, Brig. Gen. Edward Aritonang, has sent 2
companies to back-up the local police. The total loss is estimated at around IDR. 5
billion. Police hold 2 suspects.
Health
A local newspaper, Pos Kupang, reported on Sunday (16 Nov.), that IDR 499,655,000
of Japanese Assistance Fund remains in Belu District Health Department waiting for
disbursement. The Head of Belu District Health Department, Valentinus Pareira, said
that they were in the process of identifying the appropriate sectors to be funded.
Education
On Monday (17 Nov.), Pos Kupang reported that the community wished UNICEF to
continue assisting school children in Belu. UNICEF has reduced its assistance since
phase V status was implemented.
Others
On Wednesday (19 Nov.), Pos Kupang reported that the 26 asylum seekers from
East Timor were waiting for the second interview by UNHCR to decide whether they
would be granted the refugee status in Indonesia.
A local newspaper, Radar Timor, reported on Wednesday (19 Nov.), that starting 11
December 2003, the Immigration office will issue Cross Border Pass/Permits for
people living around the border area between East Timor and Indonesia. The pass can
only be used for cultural/traditional visits and trading at border traditional markets.
This report and previous ones can be found at http://www.reliefweb.int
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
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