Indonesia - OCHA Consolidated Situation Report No. 90
16 - 23 August 2002
1. NATURAL DISASTERS
Haze caused by fires in Kalimantan and Sumatra disrupted air services and forced
flight cancellations in Pontianak, West Kalimantan, Palangkaraya, Central
Kalimantan, and Malaysia's Sarawak State since last week. The Jakarta Post
reported that in both West and Central Kalimantan many cases of respiratory
problems and eye irritation were reported. In Pontianak alone more than 2,600 infants
suffered from respiratory and other problems and were taken to hospitals and clinics.
Officials said the haze was caused by plantation clearing, cropland burning and forest
fires. The Post reported on Thursday (22 Aug.) that more than 4,000 hotspots were
detected in Kalimantan and about 3,000 in Sumatra Island, in the provinces of Riau,
Jambi, Bengkulu, and South Sumatra.
In East Java, farmers in at least five districts, Pacitan, Magetan, Ngawi, Madiun, and
Bojonegoro, have resorted to tiwul (traditionally processed cassava) as their staple
food instead of rice, due to prolonged drought that has decimated rice crops.
2. ACEH (Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam)
General Situation
At least 11 people-5 civilians and 6 alleged GAM members-were killed in the province
during the week, according to news media.
On 17 August, a hand-made bomb exploded at the Blang Padang field, moments
before the official ceremony of the Independence Day of Indonesia was held, injuring
16 people, most of them children. Meanwhile, 3 people were reportedly killed and 5
severely injured during clashes that took place in Pereulak Sub-district, East Aceh.
Amri Abdul Wahab, GAM commander for field operations claimed responsibility for a
number of bomb explosions in Banda Aceh and other places, except the one in Blang
Padang. The police was reported to have arrested one bombing suspect.
The Governor, Vice-Governor, Military Commander, Chief of Police, provincial
legislatures and other high ranking government officials and their wives attended the
celebration of the independence day. From among expatriates only OCHA was
invited.
On 18 August (9.30-11.00) a carnival was convened in Banda Aceh starting with a
colourful parade of students and government department employees. The Governor,
his wife, and other high-ranking civil and military officials and their wives marched
(about 1,200 meters) from Blang Padang field to the Governor's residence. Contrary to
what The Jakarta Post claimed in its headline-Aceh observes tense Independence
Day-the situation was not as tense, particularly on 18 August, where more than
10,000 people watched and took part in the festivities; even movement of vehicles was
disturbed for hours by walking of large number of people on the streets. Similarly the
Independence Day was celebrated at districts, no incidents reported during the
ceremonies.
News media reported on Thursday (22 August) that Coordinating Minister for Political
and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono stated that Indonesian government
and GAM would resume peace talks in Geneva in September, with HDC as facilitator.
Earlier, Yudhoyono said on Monday that Indonesian government was giving GAM until
December to accept the special autonomy offer, a prerequisite for future dialogs, or
face the full brunt of the military's might. He said the government was giving GAM one
last chance before it did "whatever it takes to ensure the state's unity". GAM was
reported to agree to continue talks but not to accept the special autonomy.
Home Affairs Minister Hari Sabarno, accompanied by the governor and other
high-ranking officials visited Central Aceh District on Wednesday (21 Aug.) to have
dialogue with victims of the conflict in a number of sub-districts.
Health
The Health Office on Thursday (22 Aug.) organized a preparatory meeting for the
National Immunisation Day (NID) to be held on 12 September. The meeting was
attended by the Vice Governor, OCHA, INGOs, relevant government officials, and
representatives of the parliament and the Armed Forces. The participants expressed
concerns about security and the lack of electricity. The authorities supported the
participation of UN agencies and INGOs for the success of the campaign.
SC US started a puskesmas assessment in 6 areas in collaboration with the Health
Office and the Syiah Kuala University. SC US is also conducting a baseline data
collection for community health, women, and youth issues at the initial impact areas
of Darussalam, Meuraxa, and Baitussalam sub-districts of Banda Aceh. This would
be followed by an assessment on nutritional and immunization status of under six
children in Lamteuba, Aceh Besar. It is also providing ToT (Training of Trainers)
sessions on first aid in all impact areas including Tangse Sub-district of Pidie and
Lamteuba of Aceh Besar in cooperation with the General Hospital and the School of
Medicine of the Syiah Kuala University.
Economic Recovery and Infrastructure
ICMC travelled to West Aceh from 20 to 22 August to meet with district government
officials and its partners in the implementation of income generating programme for
vulnerable female-headed households.
CARDI Livelihood and Resettlement Income Generating Programme is providing
training from 22 to 24 August on how to conduct participatory assessment to its local
partners: Muhammadiyah, Panglima Laot, SSG, Birata, and Paskah.
Other
OCHA facilitated the first coordination meeting on Thursday (22 August) between the
provincial government and international NGOs at the Governor's Office. The meeting
was attended by the Vice Governor, Satkorlak PBP, Heads of the Health and
Education offices, SC US, CARDI, ICMC, NVI, JRS, and PBI. The participants shared
information on humanitarian activities and identified gaps and needs within the
province.
SC US this week signed an agreement with a local NGO, YAB, to start a programme
in assisting street children and child workers in organizing social activities and
providing non-formal education for the next 10 months.
PBI is travelling to North and East Aceh from 22 to 28 September to meet with its
clients and local district authorities.
3. CENTRAL SULAWESI
General Situation
There have been new attacks on villages in the Poso District during the week.
Newspapers reported that four persons were killed and 43 houses were burned in an
attack on Mayumba Village (Moriatas Sub-district) on Saturday (17 Aug.). On
Tuesday (20 Aug.) Bunta Toini in Poso Pesisir Sub-district was attacked. One house
was set on fire. There were also reports of several bomb explosions in Poso town on
Sunday (18 Aug.), but no casualties were reported. The police have confiscated
weapons in several towns of the district.
The police told newspapers that they suspected Rev. Rinaldy Damanik of the Crisis
Centre in Tentena of transporting firearms, and for being responsible for provoking the
latest violent incidents in the Poso District. Damanik denied the accusations.
According to the newspapers the police tried to enter Tentena in helicopter to arrest
Damanik, but were prevented by the local population of Tentena. Earlier, The Jakarta
Post reported that Central Sulawesi Police chief Brig. Gen. Zainal Abidin said on
Monday (19 Aug.) his office would soon summon at least 16 Christians suspected of
masterminding or provoking unrest in Poso.
Several sub-districts of Poso remain insecure, with limited access both by
government officials and international humanitarian organizations. The road between
Poso and Tentena is only open for traffic during daylight, and with security escort. No
international organizations have conducted humanitarian activities in Poso District this
week, except for North Lore that is considered safe.
The Jakarta Post reported early this week that Central Sulawesi Governor Aminuddin
Ponulele and provincial police chief Brig. Gen. Zainal Abidin Ishak both opposed the
Indonesian Military (TNI)'s call for the imposition of a state of civil emergency or
martial law in Poso District. TNI Commander Gen. Endriartono Sutarto made the
suggestion last week, arguing that local civilian authorities were no longer able to
prevent violence in the district.
Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Jusuf Kalla said Wednesday (21 Aug.) that
a peace meeting in Palu in September was being planned, according to Antara News
Agency.
Population movements
Local government officials reported that of the 2,800 IDPs fleeing Sepe and Silanca
(Lage Sub-district) early last week, almost all have now returned to their villages, and
have started rebuilding their homes. They initially took refuge in Tentena and Tagolu.
One TNI battalion (from Gorontalo) has been deployed to Lage. 622 IDPs from
Bateguncu are still in Tagolu. 1,500 IDPs, who fled from the attacks early August on
Matako and other villages in Lage and Poso Kota, are still staying in Tentena.
Organized returns of IDPs from Palu and Donggala to Poso have been taking place in
the last weeks. The IDPs from North, South and East Pamona have not yet been able
to return to their places of origin, and are now staying in Poso Kota with host families
and in barracks.
Assessments
A UNDP mission (Community Recovery Programme and Conflict Prevention) visited
Palu from 21 to 23 August to introduce the Agency to the authorities and NGOs, and
gather information and analysis for future programmes.
CARE has been conducting security assessment in the Poso District to resume food
distribution in the district.
Food Security
CWS/WFP have distributed food in the North Lore (Poso District) this week.
The government provided side dish money to IDPs in Tentena and Tagolu.
4. MALUKU
General situation
To commemorate the Indonesian Independence Day on 17 August, the TNI in Ambon
donated learning tools for alternative elementary school students in Air Salobar,
Nusaniwe Sub-district, and during the week provided free health services for the public
in Benteng Atas, as well as helping to repair the Air Salobar road.
Governor Saleh Latuconsina opened a two-day Maluku Youth Dialogue on
Wednesday (21 Aug.) at his office compound in Talake Ambon. Ninety participants
from 45 youth organizations participated in the dialogue.
Two Maluku Christian separatist leaders, Alex Manuputty and Samuel Waileruny,
went on trial in Jakarta on Monday (19 Aug.) for allegedly plotting a rebellion in
Maluku Province. The leaders of the Maluku Sovereignty Front (FKM) were in
detention since 17 April this year. Four days earlier, another court began hearing the
case against Jafar Umar Thalib, the leader of Laskar Jihad, a Muslim militia charged
with stoking violence in Maluku.
Assessments
SC UK visited Haruku Island from 19 to 21 August to conduct assessments on
education programmes in schools and on children and youth social protection issues
in Pelau, Kabau, Kailolo, and Rohomony villages.
Health
IMC through its services in the Puskesmas and mobile clinics, from 15 to 21 August,
conducted in Buru Island 58 consultations in Wamsisi Village, 149 consultations in
Leksula Town, and 72 consultations in Waimulang Village. In Seram Island, IMC
conducted 65 consultations in Taniwel Village, 57 consultations in Tehoru Village, 152
consultations in Wahai Village, 362 consultations in Kobisonta Village, and 857
consultations through mobile clinic in Masohi Town. In the Masohi Hospital in Seram
Island, IMC conducted 99 consultations throughout the week and donated surgical
equipment (anaesthetic machine) on Tuesday (20 Aug.).
IMC returned on Friday (23 Aug.) from an 11-day trip to Taniwel Village, Seram Island,
to repair the water system of a Puskesmas.
MSF-B conducted 601 consultations throughout the week for IDPs in camps in
Ambon Island, where it found three measles cases in Belakang Kota and Rimba Raya
IDP Camp. It also discovered a higher number of skin and eye diseases compared to
last week's consultations at THR IDP Camp.
During the outreach mission to Tiang Bendera Village, Kelang Island, in West Seram
from 16 to 18 August, MSF-B conducted 150 consultations for the local population,
took samples to analyse the bloody diarrhoea outbreak in the area that had already
taken 10 lives, and donated drugs to the local health centre. It also discovered that
there was a lack of clean water supply and that there was a need for an improvement
in sanitation habits. MSF-B informed the local health authorities of the findings.
UNICEF, in collaboration with local health authorities, conducted Immunisation
Training in Saumlaki Town for 35 local midwives from 14 to 21 August, and Posyandu
Cadre Training for 440 cadres in 88 villages in North Tanimbar, South Tanimbar and
Letimualakor Sub-districts. In West Southeast Maluku, it distributed medical
equipment and drugs to Fatima Hospital, eight local Puskesmas, and 125 village
midwives on Monday (19 Aug.).
Water and Sanitation
Mercy Corps decided to fund a local partner to install 12 latrines that would benefit
1,520 IDPs and the local community in Taeno and Karang Buano in Rumah Tiga
Village, Ambon Island, on Wednesday (21 Aug.). On Monday (19 Aug.), it decided to
fund two local partners to work together with 702 IDPs in Sepa Village (displaced from
Iha Village) to construct five wells and to install five hand-pumps. Mercy Corps sent a
team from 19 to 22 August to Piru Sub-district to monitor water projects on Osi
Island.
CARDI monitored clean water-system installation projects in Galunggung Area,
Ambon Island on Monday (19 Aug.).
MSF-B finished constructing water tank supports on Friday (16 Aug.) in Hiti-hiti
Hala-hala and Vitas IDP Camp on Ambon Island.
Shelter and Non-food Items
Mercy Corps decided to fund a local partner on Wednesday (21 Aug.) to reconstruct
27 houses in Soya Village that were damaged in an attack last April. On the same
day, it also decided to fund a local partner to manage a non-food item warehouse in a
neutral location in the Mardika Area, Ambon Town.
In Seram Island, Mercy Corps decided last week to fund a local partner to install
partitions, kitchens, and latrines for 186 IDPs in Silale Village, Tehoru Sub-district,
and to distribute non-food items for 303 IDPs in the TNS (Teun Nila Serua) Sub-district
on Monday (19 Aug.).
Education
UNICEF conducted training sessions for 70 local primary school teachers in Central
Maluku District, to introduce the application of its "school-in-a-box" system, from 18
to 22 August in Ambon Town. It also introduced to local government authorities on
Friday (23 Aug.) its launch of "School-Based Management" in 30 schools in Buru
Island and West Southeast Maluku.
Economic Recovery and Infrastructure
Mercy Corps decided to fund a local partner on Wednesday (21 Aug.) to provide
micro-credits for 40 female clients in Ureng Village, Ambon Island.
In Ambon Island, CARDI monitored its agriculture project in Passo and Waitatiri
villages, and its chicken farming projects in Kilang Village, last Friday (16 Aug.). It
also monitored its fishery projects in Liang Village, Ambon Island, on Tuesday (20
Aug.).
Other
Mercy Corps funded local NGOs to launch a photo exhibition, showing the current
activities of local and international NGOs, at the NGO Community Centre in Ambon
Town, from 20 to 22 August. The exhibition, opened by Maluku's Vice Governor and
closed by the Ambon Mayor, attracted hundreds of visitors including students,
government officials, and the NGO community.
ICMC team visited Seram Island from 5 to 21 August to facilitate meetings between
299 IDPs who were displaced in TNS (Teun Nila Serua) Area and representatives of
their home village in Tehoru Sub-district, as well as IDPs from Urar, Waitasi, and
Leamahu villages in Kairatu Sub-district. The meetings were part of the initial steps of
ICMC's ABRM (Addressing Barriers to Return Maluku IDPs) project.
5. NORTH MALUKU
General Situation
An international aid agency reported of a bomb blast in Papilo village on Wednesday
(21 Aug.). No details were available.
Population Movements
The provincial government finalised plans for the return of 7,000 IDP families this year.
Under the first phase of the plan, priority will be given for the return of 2,057 families
(8,528 people) in the Tobelo and Galela areas. The second priority will be 2,018
families (10,158 people) from Ternate to Tobelo, and the third priority will be 3000
families from North Sulawesi to Ternate. The first movement of 109 families from
Ternate to Kahatola Village, Loloda, took place on Monday (19 Aug.).
CARDI's Go and See Visit programme of IDPs from North Maluku to Morotai on
Tuesday (20 Aug.) was interrupted by negative reactions of some locals. CARDI
cancelled the remainder of the visit and returned to Ternate.
Assessments
A WHO and OCHA team conducted emergency health preparedness assessments in
Ternate, Makian Island, and Tobelo from 19-22 August.
Cordaid conducted assessments in Jailolo, Sahu, Ibu, Bacan, and Obi this week.
Food Security and Agriculture
WVI distributed seeds and tools on 19-20 August in 14 villages in Kao Sub-district
and 25 villages in Malifut Sub-district, and on 22 August in 9 villages in Tobelo
Sub-district. WVI also provided advice on management to a fisherman's group in
Wosia Village of Tobelo on 20-21 August, and to another group in Salimuli and
Dodowao of Galela on 21 August.
Health
IMC continued its mobile clinics in Kao, Galela, Tobelo, Posi-Posi Rao, and
Bere-Bere. It has also started the rehabilitation of the Pustu in Dokulamo Village and
Polindes in Lalonga, Galela Sub-district. It met with authorities in Tobelo for the
rehabilitation of health centres in 6 villages in the sub-district.
Water and Sanitation
CARDI is currently evaluating project proposals for its water and sanitation projects.
On Tuesday (20 Aug.) the INGO and local authorities inaugurated its water pump
project at Gam Ici village, Ibu Sub-district. The project took 3 months to complete and
will provide piped water to 1,200 people (311 families) in the area.
Education
WVI held meetings with and assisted Community Education Boards in Tobelo and
Galela in making proposals for their education programmes.
UNICEF followed up on its School in a Box programme in Tobelo Sub-district this
week and also carried out a rapid assessment on the schools that were affected by
the recent security incidents in the area.
Economic Recovery and Infrastructure
WVI monitored OFDA funded projects for infrastructure material distribution in Galela,
Tobelo, Kao, and Malifut.
6. WEST TIMOR
Population Movements
The 27 refugee families who were rejected by the local people to resettle in a
relocation site in Ponu, Biboki Sub-district, North Central Timor, were sent back to
Kupang last Friday (16 Aug.). They were accommodated at the transit centre of
Fatululi in Kupang Town.
IOM in coordination with the East Nusa Tenggara Satkorlak and Satlak organized the
repatriation of 928 refugees from West Timor to East Timor this week (16-22 August).
Health
WHO Kupang reported that a team of US Naval Medical Rescue Unit II/WHO
Collaborating Laboratory arrived in Kupang on Thursday (22 Aug.) to investigate the
source of diarrhoea outbreak that hit Kupang over the past three weeks. The outbreak
so far claimed 12 lives and at least 2,200 patients, mostly under-fives, have undergone
treatment.
Selected Abbreviations Key
Bakornas PBP |
National Coordinating Board for the Management of Disaster and
IDPs/Refugees |
Brimob |
Police Mobile Brigade |
Bulog |
National Logistics Agency |
GAM |
Free Aceh Movement |
IDP |
Internally displaced person |
Komnas HAM |
National Commission on Human Rights |
Kopassus |
Army's Special Force |
Kostrad |
Army's Strategic Reserve Command |
MCK |
Combined Bathing, Washing and Latrine Facility |
OPM |
Free Papua Organisation |
PMI |
Indonesian Red Cross |
Posyandu |
Integrated health service |
Puskesmas |
Primary health centre |
Pustu |
Primary health unit |
Satkorlak PBP |
Provincial Coordinating Unit for the Management of Disaster and
IDPs/Refugees |
Satlak PBP |
District Executing Unit for the Management of Disaster and
IDPs/Refugees |
TNI |
Indonesian Armed Forces |
This report and previous ones can be found at 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
PHONE: (+62-21) 314-1308, Ext. 126, 150
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