US Agency for International Development (USAID), Date: 26 Feb 2002
Indonesia - Complex emergency situation report #1 (FY 2002)
U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
BUREAU FOR DEMOCRACY, CONFLICT, AND HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE
OFFICE OF U.S. FOREIGN DISASTER ASSISTANCE (OFDA)
BACKGROUND
For many decades, Indonesia has experienced religious conflict and ethnic violence in
several regions of the country. Since 1999, serious conflict and population
displacement have occurred in the Moluccas, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Aceh, Timor,
and Papua (formerly known as Irian Jaya), exacerbated by Indonesia's political and
economic crises. Conflict in each of these regions also has been fueled by
resentments stemming from Indonesia's now-abandoned transmigration policy, which
increased tensions between local populations and transmigrants relocated from
overcrowded to less populated areas. Other contributing factors to the conflict include
separatist movements, a lack of resource distribution, and real or perceived social
inequities in past government policies. A summary of the current humanitarian
situation in the more volatile regions of Indonesia is provided below.
NUMBERS AFFECTED AT A GLANCE
On January 23, 2002, the World Food Program (WFP) reported that there are more
than 1.3 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) throughout Indonesia. This
estimated total IDP population includes more than 260,000 IDPs in Maluku; at least
200,000 IDPs in North Maluku; more than 189,000 IDPs in Central and East Java;
approximately 301,000 IDPs in Sulawesi; more than 12,000 IDPs in Aceh and more
than 48,000 IDPs from Aceh in North Sumatra; over 16,000 IDPs in Papua; and an
estimated 80,000 East Timorese refugees in West Timor.
Total FY 2002 USG Assistance (To Date): $5,144,638
CURRENT SITUATION
General
On July 23, 2001, Megawati Sukarnoputri succeeded Abdurrahman Wahid as the
President of Indonesia. Under the direction of President Megawati, the Government of
Indonesia (GOI) has said that it intends to decentralize the government; institute
economic, political, and administrative reforms; and resolve the IDP issue by the end
of 2002. The international community has generally welcomed these GOI initiatives
and has been hopeful that these efforts will help to ease the humanitarian crises. On
November 26, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) launched a
consolidated appeal to assist the GOI in addressing the needs of the IDPs and their
host communities. The appeal asks for more than $40 million to support multi-sectoral
humanitarian activities that encourage IDPs to return home, resettle, or relocate.
Maluku
Security Situation. Sectarian conflict began in January 1999, leading to substantial
dislocation of populations in the Moluccas and the issuance of a "state of civil
emergency" for the region. Since 1999, clashes between Christian and Muslim
populations in the Moluccas have resulted in at least 4,000 deaths, several hundred
thousand displaced, and the widespread destruction of homes, shops, places of
worship, and public buildings. Particularly hard hit has been the provincial capital and
main island of Ambon. Living conditions have deteriorated and public services, such
as health, transportation, education, and water/sanitation, have been severely
disrupted in affected areas. Some areas of Maluku, especially Ambon, are still
separated into sectarian enclaves, but tensions are slowly decreasing and the
security situation has improved in recent months.
Humanitarian Situation. Muslim and Christian communities remain divided in Ambon,
while many IDPs around Maluku continue to live in precarious and insecure
conditions. However, the critical humanitarian needs of most of Maluku's 260,000
IDPs are being met through local resources and relief assistance from the GOI and
international community.
North Maluku
Security Situation. During recent months, there has been a general decline in
tensions in North Maluku, allowing the return of IDPs in many parts of the province.
Humanitarian Situation. As of the end of January 2002, there were still at least
200,000 IDPs in North Maluku. A major challenge for provincial authorities is to
facilitate the return of IDPs who have fled North Maluku to other areas of Indonesia.
Basic needs of IDPs in North Maluku are being met, although shelter reconstruction
remains a priority for many of those returning home.
Kalimantan
Security Situation. Kalimantan has experienced several decades of civil unrest,
caused largely by resentment between indigenous Dayaks and Madurese who were
settled in Kalimantan under the now-abandoned transmigration policies of the GOI. In
addition, economic competition and ethnic discrimination have contributed to the
tensions between Dayaks and Madurese. Much resentment also stems from the
extraction of logging and mining resources by multi-national companies with little
perceived benefit to the local population.
Tensions between Dayaks and Madurese have occasionally erupted into violence. In
1999, Dayak attacks on Madurese in West Kalimantan resulted in the displacement
of at least 60,000 Madurese to the provincial capital of Pontianak. The influx to
Pontianak increased tensions in the area, and under pressure from Dayak and Malay
communities, the GOI began resettling the Madurese IDP population to outlying areas
of the province during 2001. In early 2001, Dayak attacks in Central Kalimantan
caused several hundred deaths and the flight of more than 80,000 Madurese to
Madura Island and other parts of Java.
Humanitarian Situation. On Madura Island, immediate humanitarian needs of IDPs
(including water/sanitation, health, food security, basic shelter, and hygiene) are being
met by international relief organizations, the local community, and the GOI. In villages
where large numbers of IDPs have settled, however, local resources have been
severely strained, and there are doubts about the long-term ability of affected
communities to host the newcomers. In West Kalimantan, GOI authorities announced
that all health care provided to IDPs in the Pontianak area would cease on December
15, 2001 and that IDP camps would be dismantled beginning March 2002. The GOI
has offered an incentive package to IDPs who voluntarily relocate to designated
settlement areas. As of January 30, 2002, approximately 2,200 families have opted to
move, with more expected in coming months.
Sulawesi
Security Situation. Since December 1998, Central Sulawesi has experienced
sectarian conflict. During April 2000, civil unrest in the region resulted in destruction or
damage to more than 5,000 homes and public buildings, an estimated 250 deaths,
and approximately 70,000 people displaced in the areas of Poso and Tentena.
Both Christian and Muslim militias, including those from outside Sulawesi, have been
implicated in the violence. In June - July 2001, following the upholding of death
sentences for three Christian militia leaders convicted of instigating the April 2000
riots, a period of relative calm was broken in Poso when attacks on villages in the
surrounding area were renewed. Houses, temporary barracks, and mosques were
burned, resulting in a new round of displacement. Fighting again escalated in
November 2001, prompting the GOI to intervene with the deployment of more than
2,000 troops. On December 20, 2001, a peace agreement was brokered and has
resulted in a ceasefire.
Humanitarian Situation. Sulawesi remains host to more than 300,000 IDPs, generated
by sporadic violence within Sulawesi and in neighboring provinces. Among these are
approximately 90,000 displaced by fighting within Central Sulawesi and 110,000
displaced from Maluku who have sought refuge in Southeast Sulawesi. More than
40,000 IDPs from North Maluku have sought shelter in North Sulawesi.
Aceh
Security Situation. Since Indonesian independence, Aceh's relationship with the GOI
has been strained. This tension has been fueled by anger over alleged GOI military
and police abuses, perceived exploitation of oil and gas reserves in Aceh by the GOI,
and limited GOI re-investment in Aceh of profits from the province's natural resources.
Since 1999, the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) and the GOI have been engaged in
negotiations over prospects for autonomy. A Humanitarian Pause, beginning in June
2000, led to a notable decrease in violence. Since early 2001, the conflict has
escalated, resulting in increased displacement within Aceh and to neighboring North
Sumatra.
Humanitarian Situation. Violence in 2001 has resulted in at least 1,200 deaths
(including many civilians) and an increasing number of IDPs. WFP reports that there
are approximately 14,000 IDPs in Aceh and at least 48,000 IDPs from Aceh in North
Sumatra. Many IDPs live in scattered camps while others have sought refuge in the
jungle or other remote areas. Humanitarian assessment in Aceh has been limited
outside the provincial capital due to security constraints. However, many IDPs
reportedly lack basic services or access to livelihoods.
Papua (formerly known as Irian Jaya)
Security Situation. Pro-independence activities by organizations such as the Free
Papua Movement continue, and violent confrontations with local militias and the
military have occurred. In an effort to address pressures for independence, the
Indonesian House of Representatives passed a bill on special autonomy for Irian Jaya
on October 22, 2001. The new law became effective in January 2002. The law grants
Papuans the right to create their own flag and anthem, to change the name of the
province from Irian Jaya to Papua, and to reap a greater share of profits from the sale
of locally-mined natural resources.
Humanitarian Situation. According to WFP, more than 16,000 people remain
displaced in Papua, including those displaced as a result of local conflict and those
that have sought refuge in Papua from other provinces.
West Timor
Security Situation. A mob including militia members and their supporters killed three
UNHCR staff members in Atambua on September 6, 2000. The killings resulted in the
cessation of U.N. and international assistance efforts in West Timor. Since this
incident, the GOI has taken a more active role in addressing security concerns. Many
international relief organizations have resumed their humanitarian assistance
programs.
Humanitarian Situation. Since October 1999, UNHCR and the International
Organization for Migration have assisted in the repatriation of approximately 188,646
IDPs by land, air, and sea. However, at least 50,000 still remain displaced in camps
or in villages in West Timor, in the aftermath of the 1999 independence referendum in
East Timor and ensuing violence. The provincial government has been providing limited
relief assistance to the displaced population, with additional assistance coming from
the international relief community. The GOI is encouraging repatriation of the
remaining displaced East Timorese population. On December 31, 2001 the GOI
announced that it would cease assisting those who remained in West Timor.
U.S. GOVERNMENT (USG) HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE IN FY 2002
On October 11, 2001, U.S. Ambassador Robert Gelbard renewed the disaster
declaration for the ongoing complex emergency in Indonesia. In renewing the disaster
declaration, which was originally issued in May 1999, Ambassador Gelbard cited the
continuing political and economic crises and violent conflicts that continue to generate
widespread population displacement and urgent humanitarian needs.
In response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Indonesia, USAID/OFDA continues
to monitor developments in affected provinces, conduct assessments in areas where
the humanitarian situation is most dire, and deploy relief assistance where needed
and appropriate. In September 2000, USAID/OFDA posted an Emergency Disaster
Response Coordinator (EDRC) in Jakarta to assist USAID/Jakarta in the monitoring of
humanitarian needs in Indonesia and to coordinate USAID/OFDA emergency
assistance to disaster-affected areas.
USAID/OFDA
In FY 2001, USAID/OFDA provided program funds for IDP assistance totaling almost
$5.4 million. Some of the programs funded during FY 2001 remain ongoing in FY 2002
(see attached map).
International Medical Corps (IMC) - provided medical and water/sanitation interventions
to IDPs on Madura Island: $378,000
IMC - provided water/sanitation and health services to IDPS in West Kalimantan:
$457,450
International Rescue Committee - expanded water and sanitation facilities and
provided non-food relief items in Aceh: $178,300
Mercy Corps International (MCI) - funded quick impact projects, focusing on shelter,
water/sanitation, and livelihoods through local NGOs in Ambon, Maluku: $848,612
Action Contre La Faim - provided essential relief supplies, including hygiene items,
seeds and tools, basic shelter materials, and fishing equipment to IDPs in Maluku
and North Maluku: $131,500
Church World Service - provided basic shelter, water/sanitation, and essential
non-food items for IDPs and other conflict-affected families in Central Sulawesi and
Southeast Sulawesi: $570,717
Total FY 2002 USAID/OFDA: $2,566,579
USAID/Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI)
In FY 2002, USAID/OTI is providing assistance to Indonesia through 144 grants to
local NGOs. USAID/OTI's program areas include civil society, civil/military relations,
community stabilization, democracy and governance, and local media initiatives.
Total FY 2002 USAID/OTI: $2,578,059
U.S. Department of State's Bureau for Population, Refugees, and Migration
(State/PRM)
In FY 2002, State/PRM plans to provide approximately $2 million in regional
assistance. The program supports refugee reintegration and emergency relief activities
in Indonesia through international organizations such as UNHCR and the International
Committee of the Red Cross. State/PRM also provided more than $2.3 million to the
joint U.N.- GOI Appeal "Solutions for East Timorese Refugees".
*TOTAL FY 2002 USG Assistance (To Date): $5,144,638
*These funding figures do not reflect State/PRM contributions to UNCHR and ICRC for
regional assistance, and the U.N.-GOI Appeal for refugees in West Timor, valued at
more than $4.3 million.
Tamra Halmrast-Sanchez
Acting Director
Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance
USAID/OFDA fact sheets and situation reports can be obtained from the USAID web
site at http://www.usaid.gov/hum_response/ofda/situation.htm
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