UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, 30 Apr 2004
Indonesia: OCHA Humanitarian Update Apr 2004
Highlights:
- Once again, sectarian violence has erupted in Ambon, Maluku leaving 36 people
dead, 160 people injured and a large number of residential houses burnt.
- The UNPCO, MSF-B office and some UN vehicles were set ablaze during the clash.
- 68 UN and INGOs staff and their primary dependents were relocated from Maluku to
Jakarta.
- Reportedly, some 10,600 people (2,300 families) are newly displaced due to recent
violence in Ambon.
- In Poso district seven people were injured when unidentified gunmen opened fire at
an Easter congregation.
- 52 people were killed in two separate landslides in West Java and North Sumatra.
- The House of Representative election in April 2004 was held peacefully throughout
the country.
- In Aceh, a total of 66 civilians were abducted by the GAM during March-April 2004
period.
- The Indonesia Consolidated Appeal 2004 is published, available on OCHA website
www.reliefweb.int.
Major events:
Security: Sectarian violence has returned to Ambon city, the provincial capital of
Maluku province. Following the celebration of the 54th anniversary of the South
Maluku Republic (RMS) on 25th April, a violent clash begun between the Muslim and
Christian communities in Ambon. At least 36 people including two policemen were
killed, over 160 people injured, and a large number of residential houses were burnt.
The UN Project Coordination Office in Ambon was set on fire along with 4 vehicles
parked at the building. MSF Belgium office, Aman Hotel and a church were also burnt.
The situation in Ambon remained tense as burning of houses and sniper shooting
continued until 30 April.
Natural Disaster: On 13 April, a landslide hit one village of Bandung district, West
Java, killing 13 people, injuring 16 others while 40 family houses were badly damaged.
In addition to sending a Search and Rescue (SAR) team, the Government provided
emergency food assistance to the affected population. The Indonesian Red Cross
(PMI) distributed some foodstuff, hygiene kits and used clothes. In North Sumatra,
another landslide submerged a bus, killing 39 passengers. Two separate earthquakes
were reported in East Nusa Tenggara (5.5 on the RS) and Sumatra (6.0 on the RS)
but no casualties or serious damage was reported.
Elections 2004: The April "House of Representatives" election was conducted
peacefully throughout the country despite earlier speculation of delays arising from
logistical problems to arrange voting facilities for 147 million eligible voters. During the
election period, the Government deployed additional security personnel to maintain
the security and secure voting safety. Both local and international observers have
expressed satisfaction on the conduct of the election, also in the areas affected by
conflict.
CAP 2004: After five months of delay, the Inter-Agency Consolidated Appeal (CAP)
2004 for Indonesia has been published. 43 million US dollar has been appealed for to
support the UN and international NGOs humanitarian projects. The full text of the
appeal document is also available on www.reliefweb.int.
Regional Updates:
Aceh: The second term of military emergency in the province of Aceh is expiring on
19 May 2004. There are indications that the Government intends to change the status
to "civil emergency", at least in those districts that are not directly affected by the
military operation. Irrespective of the changes of status of emergency, the government
is expected to continue the integrated operations maintaining the level of military
presence (40,000 troops) in the province. However, during the month of April,
thousands of civilians gathered and rallied in districts and towns to demonstrate their
support for the extension of martial law for a further six months.
During April 2004, a total of 162 people were reportedly killed in the province of Aceh
of which 18 were civilians, 10 security force personnel and 134 GAM members.
Reportedly, the number of kidnapping of civilians including civil servants has increased
in March-April (66 persons) compared to the previous months. OCHA, IOM, and SC
US have successfully conducted a series of workshops and seminars to strengthen
the government capacity to handle IDPs and respond to humanitarian emergencies.
Military personnel were involved in facilitating several of the sessions. For the first time
since the imposition of martial law, selected local NGOs are allowed to implement UN
led projects for the IDP returnees. Over the last several months, there was gradual
decline in the IDPs number (some 2,500 IDPs) in camps. However, temporary
displacement and people displaced but living with friends and relatives are not
accounted for in the IDP statistics.
Central Sulawesi: On 11 April, two unidentified gunmen stormed into a church in the
troubled region of Poso firing a hail of bullets at a congregation attending an Easter
sermon and injuring seven, including a four-year-old girl. This incident followed the
shooting in March 2004, killing a reverend and injuring a university lecturer.
Anti-Christian propaganda leaflets were distributed in Poso further aggravating the
already tense situation. The security forces conducted house-to-house search in the
region for unauthorized arms and collected 21 active bombs, in addition to a large
number of home made guns and ammunition. Meanwhile, OCHA with Oxfam GB and
IOM conducted a successful advocacy campaign of the Guiding Principles on Internal
Displacement to community and religious leaders, police and military, government,
village heads and local civil society groups.
Humanitarian activities have continued as normal during the period with the
momentum towards developmental programming maintained as in previous months.
The Poso District Government continues to strengthen its role in coordination work
established by OCHA. To aid this process OCHA commenced the establishment of
an information database, including training, for the local disaster response unit within
the Poso Government.
Maluku: Efforts to bring stability in Maluku have been shaken by the recent violent
activities in Ambon. The government has deployed additional reinforcement of security
personnel to contain the situation and a medical team from Jakarta was flown to
support the injured victims. The security forces continue patrolling in and around the
city. In the wake of violence, the UN and most International NGOs temporarily
discontinued their activities and 68 staff members and their primary dependents were
relocated to safety in Jakarta. The city of Ambon was brought to a stand still when
shops, schools and offices were closed for the first few days since the violence
began. A relative calm was reported on 29th April, but the situation remained very
tense. So far, the conflict has remained within the Ambon Island.
Four days of violence have already created a wave of displacement in the province.
According to the Social Welfare Department of Ambon city council, over10,600 people
(2300 families) have fled their homes to safer locations within the city. Some of these
IDPs had recently been relocated after being displaced a number of times. Due to
prevailing security condition, the extent of damage and humanitarian needs are yet to
be assessed. However, an NGO on the ground indicated to OCHA that food, blankets,
cooking utensils, shelter and medicine are urgently needed for the displaced
population.
Papua: At least six people were killed by the armed forces as suspected member of
the OPM (Papuan Independence Organization).
The national media reported that hundreds of residents of Nabire regency, Papua
province, are still living in tents two months after a disastrous earthquake devastated
the remote town in February. Students in affected areas are forced to study under
makeshift tents as their schools had been destroyed or damaged by the quake. The
regent chief said that his administration needed some Rp 1.5 trillion (US$174 million)
in aid to rebuild the devastated town housing and public infrastructure. The
government promised allocation of Rp.1.5 billion has not been delivered three months
after the disaster.
Eight sub-district of Wamena, were flooded during the last months for a prolonged
period. Most farmers have lost their crops and orchards. The relief supplies to the
flood victims were inadequate and their priority need is agricultural support. If farm
inputs particularly seedlings are not provided on time, these farmers will face food
shortage in coming months.
West Timor: After months of closure since the shooting last December, a traditional
border market in Belu district was reopened which provides lifeline support to both
communities along the border. However, West Timorese are yet to obtain the Cross
Border Pass from the Timor Leste authorities to come to the market. The border pass
will not only facilitate the trading but also help visiting friends and relatives across the
border in Belu district, Indonesia.
Source URL: http://www.reliefweb.int
|
