PACIFIC DISASTER MANAGEMENT INFORMATION NETWORK (PDMIN)
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Telephone: 808.433.7035 á PDMIN@coe-dmha.org á http://www.coe-dmha.org

 

Indian Ocean Earthquake & Tsunami Emergency Update

 

January 4, 2005

 

Note: New content has been inserted in red, italicized, bold font.

 

 

 

Table of Contents:

 

Overview......................................page 2-4

Indonesia.....................................page 5-13

Sri Lanka......................................page 14-26

Thailand.......................................page 27-36

Overview

 

á      As emphasis shifts from search and rescue to relief and recovery, the United Nations reports that the death toll from last monthÕs (December 26) massive tsunamis triggered by an undersea earthquake measuring 9.0 on the Richter scale off the west coast of IndonesiaÕs northern Sumatra Island is approaching 150,000. Tsunami related deaths have been reported in 11 countries that include Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar, Maldives, Bangladesh, Somalia, Tanzania and Kenya. The loss of life has been particularly severe in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and Thailand. According to the Indonesian Health Ministry, the death toll has now climbed to over 94,081, with the possibility of 100,000 or even more in the northern province of Aceh on the island of Sumatra and along the 115 miles of the islands along IndonesiaÕs northwestern coast, which is close to the epicenter of the earthquake. WHO estimates 80 percent of AcehÕs west coast has been damaged. The death toll in Sri Lanka and India has also climbed to in excess of 30,000 and 9,400 deaths respectively. IndiaÕs Andaman and Nicobar Islands, as well as the southern state of Tamil Nadu, have been the worst hit areas. The death toll in ThailandÕs resort islands of Phuket and Phi Phi has now climbed to over 5,000, including some 2,500 foreigners from at least 36 countries. More than 400 combined deaths have also been reported in Malaysia, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Maldives, Somalia, Tanzania and Kenya. UNICEF officials say the health situation in IndiaÕs worst-hit district of Nagapattinam in the southern state of Tamil Nadu is Òdecent.Ó An adequate supply of clean drinking water has prevented the outbreak of an epidemic. (Jan-3, AFP, AP, NDM India, Multiple)

 

á      The United States has designated ThailandÕs Utapao Royal Thai Naval Air Force Base near Sattahip city in Chonburi province as its hub to coordinate relief efforts for countries affected by last weekÕs tsunamis. The US has already deployed its surveillance aircraft, helicopters and C-130 planes to Utapao along with 350 officials who will coordinate with ThailandÕs 536 Task Force, under the command of US Vice-Admiral Robert R. Blackman.

 

á      The United Nations (UN) has accepted SingaporeÕs offer to set up a UN Regional Coordination Center there to coordinate relief efforts to affected areas. According to SingaporeÕs foreign ministry officials, Singapore would provide its Air and Naval bases, the use of its aircraft and helicopter carriers as well as dedicated administration, secretariat, command, control & communication, and media support center for the UN Regional Coordination Center. Singapore has also waived charges for handling of relief supplies at its ports. SingaporeÕs Paya Lebar Air Base and Changi Naval Base in the southeast are capable of taking largest transport aircraft and aircraft and helicopter carriers respectively. (Jan-03, Xinhua, JP, AP)

 

á      Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will be presiding over an international donorsÕ meeting this Thursday (January 6) in the capital Jakarta to discuss the tsunami/earthquake crisis. Heads of states and senior officials from 10 ASEAN nations as well as Australia, China, India, Japan, Maldives, New Zealand, South Korea, Sri Lanka, United States, United Nations and the World Bank are expected to attend the meeting which coincides with the UN flash appeal to be launched the same day. Among the notable attendees include UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, US Secretary of State Colin Powell and JapanÕs Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.

 

á      The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) head Jan Egeland says pledges exceed US$2 billion; Secretary-General Kofi Annan says it may take ten years and cost tens of billions of dollars to reconstruct devastated areas. Annan said he is concerned that some of the US$2 billion pledges may never materialize. Germany and Australia are expected to significantly increase their aid contribution. Australia plans to announce a US$385 million aid package for Indonesia to restore infrastructure. According to unconfirmed reports, Germany is considering upping its pledge to US$665 million (500 million Euros). (Jan-04, AP, Reuters, AFP)

 

á      Britain is the latest country to join the call for a debt moratorium for countries affected by last weekÕs tsunami disaster. European countries led by Germany and France had earlier called for debt relief for the worst-affected countries. British Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown, is saying some US$3 billion debt freeze will be offered as part of a broader package of emergency aid and reconstruction funds to severely hit countries that would include Indonesia and Sri Lanka. Paris Club members will discuss the proposal at its meeting on January 12. Italy has issued a similar appeal to G8 nations. Last week, Canada placed a unilateral debt moratorium for affected nations with immediate effect. (Jan-04, AFP, BBC)

 

á      The United States, India, Australia, Japan and the United Nations have formed an international coalition to coordinate worldwide relief and reconstruction efforts. European Union is expected to join the Òcore groupÓ announced by US President George W Bush on Wednesday (December 29). Canada has joined and more nations are likely to join the initiative.

 

á      World Health Organization (WHO) officials in South Asia estimate as many as five million people have been displaced and are at risk across the region. In Indonesia alone an estimated 1 million people are either displaced or homeless. However, at this stage of the crisis the actual extent of both those affected and those displaced remains unclear. Many are in temporary camps or sites close to their homes; the West coast of IndonesiaÕs Aceh, which was the area closest to the epicenter, has yet to be assessed.

 

á      WHO says an estimated 500,000 people believed to have been injured in the tsunami disaster. Officials are warning of a Òhealth disasterÓ if the survivors were not given quick access to clean drinking water. There have been some reports of diarrhea, malaria, pneumonia and skin infections in Indonesia. However, so far there have been no reports of disease outbreaks. WHO is seeking US$60 million for the next six months to overcome the threats of water-borne and respiratory diseases. (Jan-4, AFP, Reuters)

 

á      UN experts are warning of possible epidemics within days if health systems are not brought up to speed. According to the UN, water, sanitation, food, shelter and medical teams with supplies are priority sectors to stem any disease outbreaks. Due to the contamination of drinking water sources and stagnant water, the risk of water-borne diseases such as cholera, dysentery, malaria and dengue fever, remains very high. Food and medicine in many areas are in short supply. Health experts at the UN and International Committee of the Red Cross warn of significant number of additional deaths due to possible outbreaks of disease. The risk of malaria is significantly high due to warm temperatures. Sri Lanka is particularly vulnerable to malaria due to the recent monsoon season as standing water provides ideal conditions for mosquito breeding. (Dec-30, UN News Service, PBS)

 

á      International aid organizations are criticizing Indian government for not allowing access to its Andaman and Nicobar group of islands where thousands of people are presumed dead. Indian government is also accused of downplaying its death toll especially for the island territories as it continues to classify nearly 6,000 people as missing.

 

á      A number of logistical problems are starting to ease. Logjams at Sri LankaÕs Bandaranaike International Airport, near the capital city of Colombo, are disappearing. Shortage of trucks to transport relief supplies, lack of storage facilities and limited capacity of the airport to land relief planes are being addressed. In Indonesia, backlogs at Banda Aceh airport and nearby Medan airport in North Sumatra Province are diminishing. Transportation of relief supplies from the airport is improving and a monthÕs supply of fuel trucked by IOM has arrived. A shortage of helicopters to transport relief supplies to affected areas that are no longer accessible by road reported in both Sri Lanka and Indonesia has eased in Indonesia with the arrival of a US naval battle group and nearly 20 helicopters. In Thailand, a lack of equipment and supplies to move and store dead bodies has been reported. Malaysia has opened its airspace and two airports to US and UN relief operations for IndonesiaÕs worst hit Aceh province. The government of Singapore opened up its air and naval bases last week (December 31) to countries wanting to send relief supplies to Indonesia last week following reports that facilities at IndonesiaÕs Banda Aceh and Medan airports were overstretched. (Jan-3, JP)

 

á      Jan Egeland, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs is saying at least 1.6 million people affected by the disaster are in need of food aid.

 

á      United Nations ChildrenÕs Fund (UNICEF) is seeking US$80 million in urgent humanitarian aid for an estimated 1.5 million children in the region. The appeal is part of a UN flash appeal to be launched this Thursday (January 6).

 

á      International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has launched a consolidated appeal for US$59 million for the crisis.

 

á      In an unprecedented call by a non-government organization (NGO), the Nobel-prize winning international medical relief group, Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), said today (January 4) that it had collected US$54 million in donations since last SundayÕs (December 26) tsunami disaster, adding that the organization had enough funds to assist millions of affected people in South Asia. MSF is urging donors to redirect funding to those crises that have slipped from public attention.

 

á      German insurance giant Munich Re estimates the cost of damage to buildings and foundations in the affected regions to exceed US$13.6 billion.

Indonesia

 

Organization

 

OverviewÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉ...page 6

 

Domestic ResponseÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉpage 8

            Government                                                            

            Local Humanitarian Organizations

 

International ResponseÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉ.page 9

            Foreign Governments

            United Nations

            International Humanitarian Organizations

Indonesia Overview

 

While the official death toll for Indonesia remains at 94,081, the government reports that the number of homeless has risen from yesterdayÕs number of 271,908 to 387,607, with another more than 7,191 people missing. The Indonesian government says that the homeless are living in Òrefugee campsÓ; Aid organizations feel that the actual count of homeless may be much larger with many survivors seeking shelter elsewhere. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), more than 100,000 displaced people are living in temporary shelters and camps. It is unclear why there is a wide difference in the count between the government and UNOCHA, however, it is possible the government may be including people that were already in refugee camps before the disaster. The Indonesian Ministry of Health says that the death toll comprises 93,841 from Aceh province, with some 240 from adjacent North Sumatra province. Another 1,609 have been reported injured. Hardest hit Aceh province (population estimated at 4.1 million), at the northern end of Sumatra Island, was only 93 miles (150 kilometers) from the earthquakeÕs epicenter. Some 30,000 have died in the provincial capital of Banda Aceh alone, the ministry reports. Perhaps 1 million are affected or displaced and in need of immediate relief. The UN warned on Sunday (January 3), that starvation, injury and disease are pushing survivors closer to death Òevery minute.Ó Worst hit areas in Aceh include the capital, Banda Aceh, at the very northern tip, and the northwest coast, a stretch of about 155 miles (250 kilometers) southeast from Banda Aceh. The 1999 population for the very northern tip of Sumatra around Banda Aceh was about 500,000. There were another 500,000 in the Aceh Barat region, including the city of Meulaboh on the northern part of the west coast and an additional 500,000 in the Aceh Selatan region, including the city of Tapaktuan, along the southern portion of Aceh ProvinceÕs west coast.

 

Main airport reopened at Banda Aceh following a minor accident. The Banda Aceh airstrip was closed down much of today (Tuesday, January 4) because a cargo plane was damaged after hitting a water buffalo on the runway. Military helicopters from the US, Australia and Singapore, were reportedly the only aircraft able to land and depart from the airport for much of the day. Helicopters are continuing to ferry relief items to isolated areas along the west coast and returning with seriously injured survivors. However, they are being treated at a temporary clinic at the airport because the only two functioning hospitals in the city are overflowing and refusing patients.

 

Aid workers say that many more survivors along SumatraÕs isolated west coast were still cut off from most of the relief effort, with destroyed bridges and roads still perhaps some weeks away from being rebuilt. In some of the hardest hit areas in remote locations, Jan Egeland, the UNÕs emergency relief coordinator, says that the death toll would likely reach Òtens of thousands of further deaths.Ó

 

Some aid workers now saying the focus is turning to hard-hit Meulaboh, located 109 miles (175 km) from Banda Aceh and just some 93 miles (150 km) from the epicenter of the earthquake, where at least half the town has been reported destroyed. Officials estimate that up to 40,000 of the 120,000 people in the town were killed by the tsunami. Other estimates put the townÕs initial population at 50,000. Damaged airport in the town reportedly cleared for use by small planes, enabling some supplies to reach the ground. The International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) says it will make the town an aid staging post. Medical teams from Japan, Singapore and Spain are already present.

 

UNOCHA reports that the overall situation in the provincial capital of Banda Aceh is improving and a backlog of relief supplies is beginning to clear. Local media reports that life was improving in the provincial capital of Banda Aceh, with some traditional markets back in business. Some public transport, such as three-wheeled vehicles, reported seen on streets. Most electricity and water reported to be still cut off. UNOCHA reports that it is still difficult to contact Aceh and its surroundings with telecommunications. The port in Banda Aceh is totally destroyed and an assessment will be made, UNOCHA reports.

 

The UNÕs World Health Organization (WHO) says that some cases of diarrhea, pneumonia, malaria and skin infections were appearing. Also some cases of gangrene reported because survivors were not receiving proper treatment and had been exposed to polluted water. WHO medical officer Vijay Nath says there has been no confirmed cases of cholera in Banda Aceh and that the agency has a pretty good picture of the health situation there. However, he says that ÒÉon the west coast, we just donÕt know what is happening.Ó There have so far been no big outbreaks of disease among refugees in the Banda Aceh area, but officials are worried about waterborne diseases such as cholera and malaria, which is endemic in the area.

 

Yesterday (Monday, January 3), the head of the UNÕs emergency relief efforts, Jan Egeland, told reporters that 90 percent of the problems in the relief effort were in Indonesia. ÒWeÕre able to reach out in all of the affected countries except in Sumatra and in Aceh at the moment. That is where we are behind. Ninety percent of our problems are now in those areas because they are more remote, because the damage was much bigger, because the roads are more damaged (and) because the airstrips are fewer and they are more damaged.Ó

 

According to the Indonesian Health Ministry, the island of Simeulue, off the west coast of Sumatra had the largest number people living in camps with 73,015. Sinabang, another island off the north coast, was next with 72,002, followed by the north Aceh district of Bireuen. CARE says that Indonesian survivors had set up more than 175 camps around Banda Aceh, but many of the ÒcampsÓ had no food and little clean water. Official figures say that some 17,720 are in camps in Banda Aceh.

 

In Lampaya, located some 15 miles (25 kilometers) west of Banda Aceh, there are reportedly some 1200 at a camp receiving food aid. Presence of Taiwanese doctors is also reported in the village.

In Bireun village, located some 60 miles (100 kilometers) east of Banda Aceh, there are reportedly some 18,000 homeless. The local aid coordinator for the village says that Bireun had received only one aid delivery thus far and that it was not enough for the villagers. In Lhoknga, a small town of some 7,000 located 10 miles (15 kilometers) west of Banda Aceh had been cut off from the capital after bridges were destroyed. A reporter from Metro TV quoted local officials as saying that only about 100 of the town had been accounted for. In the town of Kuede Teunom, 8,000 of its 18,000 total population reportedly died.

 

Islands off the west coast such as Nias have reported some 66 dead from the disaster. There have been conflicting reports of the other offshore island of Simeulue, which was very close to the epicenter. The Sydney Morning Herald reports that five people were reported killed on that island.

 

Most flights to Banda Aceh originate from Medan on the east coast of North Sumatra province with some coming directly from Jakarta. Medan airport is also overloaded; and some flights have had to divert from Indonesia to Malaysia. Medan is closer to some of the devastated west coast areas than Banda Aceh.

 

UN ChildrenÕs Fund (UNICEF) communications director, John Budd says that up to 500,000 people are Òextremely vulnerable,Ó because of a lack of shelter, while an estimated 900,000 children were suffering from illness, injury, trauma and separation.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has urged separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM) rebels to lay down their arms and help to rebuild the devastated province. Both the Indonesian government and GAM had declared unilateral ceasefires earlier last week. However, GAM leadership in Sweden say rebels still being attacked and accuse military of stepping-up operations.

 

Domestic Response

 

Local Government

 

á       The Indonesian military (TNI) has some 20,000 troops on Sumatra for the relief effort. Thousands of troops are being used to bury victims. (Jan-4, AP)

 

á       The Indonesian military (TNI) is repairing a bridge and immediate road access down the west coast of the province. (Jan 3, IFRC)

 

á       Indonesian police have deployed around 800 officers to Aceh province to fill the posts of some 450 killed in the disaster, the Antara news agency reports. 300 are from the elite Mobile Brigade (BRIMOB) unit. (Jan 2, Kyodo). National Police chief DaÕI Bachtiar says that the number may be inadequate so more troops may be deployed. The police will be stationed in emergency police posts across Aceh, set up to help return civil order to the province as many police stations were damaged or destroyed. On Friday (December 31) the Indonesian Defense Force said that some 517 soldiers had been killed in Aceh from the disaster.

 

á       The National Coordinating Agency for Disaster Relief and Refugees (BAKORNAS) will handle GOI agencies in the relief effort, while MEKOKESRA will handle international assistance. (December 30, US Consulate Medan)

 

á       There is an Indonesian disaster response command center in Medan near the airport. There is an advance element in Banda Aceh. (Dec 30, US Consulate Medan)

 

á       The Jakarta Post estimates half the local government administration was killed, and many of those remaining are looking after their families, resulting in a huge coordination void. (Jan 01, Jakarta Post)

 

á       The Indonesia government has laid out three-phase plan: Emergency measures through January 2005 followed by rehabilitation through February 2006 and reconstruction, also through February 2006. (Dec 30, Indonesian Mission to UN)

 

Local Organizations

 

 

 

 

 

International Response

 

Foreign Governments

 

á       Military troops from the US, Australia, India, Malaysia, Germany and Singapore reportedly working to unload planes at Banda Aceh airport and then flying sorties to remote areas. (Jan-4, Reuters)

 

á       Japanese government sources say JapanÕs Defense Agency is considering dispatching more than 800 Self-Defense Force members to Sumatra. An advance team will be sent shortly to assess the situation. (Jan-4, Kyodo)

 

á       Australia may announce aid package worth more than US$385 million later this week to restore infrastructure in Indonesia media reports. (Jan-4, AFP)

 

á       Singapore military medical unit, including surgical team, established in Meulaboh. Japanese and Spanish medical teams also reportedly established in the area. (Jan-4, Reuters)

 

á       Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi says that Malaysia will mobilize the 57-nation Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) to help Indonesian children who were orphaned. (Jan 4- AP)

 

á       Network Indonesia, in Singapore has raised some US$606,000 for Indonesian survivors (Jan-4, Channelnews Asia)

 

á       The US military continues to ferry supplies by helicopter to remote and previously unaccessible areas along SumatraÕs west coast. The USS Abraham Lincoln carrier group (includes four other ships and some 6,500 sailors and Marines) had arrived off Sumatra over the weekend (Saturday, January 1). However, as of Monday (January 3), it was reported that Jakarta is only allowing permission for US pilots to fly as far south as Meulaboh.

 

á       Meanwhile, the USS Bonhomme Richard and two other warships carrying a Marine expeditionary unit of some 2,200 Marines arrived in the area to join in relief operations. The Bonhomme Richard has at least 29 heavy- and medium-lift helicopters, along with three landing craft with the capability to launch people or equipment ashore virtually any kind of beach. Force also has 60-plus strong medical staff that can man four operating rooms, with a ward capacity for 60 patients. US airlift operations are continuing to be flown out of Utapao, a base in Thailand from the Vietnam War era.

 

á       Malaysia has opened up its airspace and two airports to UN and US relief operations. The UNÕs World Food Program would use an airport in Sabang, located outside Kuala Lumpur, while the US has been permitted to use the Langkawi International Airport in the north to send aid to Aceh. Malaysia says it has also deployed aircraft and helicopters to help Indonesia transport supplies and victims from Aceh. Malaysia will also send a navy ship to Aceh this Wednesday (January 5).

 

á       Six Sea Stallion heavy transport helicopters and some 100 marines were being airlifted to Aceh from base in Hawaii. (Jan 3, Reuters)

 

á       Australia sending small Iroquois helicopters for landings in the worst hit areas. (Jan 3, Reuters)

 

á       Singapore says a landing craft with 400 military personnel and heavy equipment had landed at Meulaboh. (Jan 3, Reuters)

 

á       Australian field hospital being flown to Aceh and amphibious ship with 100 engineers being sent for reconstruction. (Jan 3, Reuters)

 

á       Australian Army set up water purification unit in Banda Aceh and says that the cityÕs water supply had been partially restored but was Òstill sketchyÓ in some places.

 

á       The International Red Cross says that a lack of communications was hampering aid efforts and that Sony Ericsson was donating some 1300 phones and sending a team to restore communications.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

á       Rescue teams from Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Australia, US, South Korea, and China are on the ground. (Dec 31, UNDAC)

 

á       C-130 aircraft from US, Australia, and New Zealand brought in relief suppliesÑAustralia and New Zealand fly from Jakarta to Banda AcehÑUS operates among Banda Aceh, Medan, and JakartaÑUS will stay to shuttle supplies; Helicopters operating are from Singapore and US. (Dec 31, AFP)

 

á       In addition to US, naval ships coming from Indonesia Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, and India. (Dec 31, AFP)

 

á       Supplies and teams also coming in by air from Russia, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, EU, France, India, Iran, Mexico, Qatar, Saudia Arabia, Spain, Tunesia, Czechoslovakia, Great Britain, and Jordan. (Dec 30, ReliefWeb)

 

á       Singapore opens its ports and airfields as a major supply base for Indonesia, noting relief supply backup in Medan and Banda Aceh. (Dec 31, AFP)

 

á       USAID/OFDA DART assessment team arriving in Jakarta.

 

á       US Marine DRAT assessment team on Sumatra.

 

á       US Navy may establish a field hospital around core NAMRU-2 staff in Meulaboh on the west coast as relief efforts build up in devastated city. (Jan 1, AP)

 

á       US, Japanese and Australian naval ships heading towards Aceh with onboard hospitals and water desalination plants. (Dec 30, Reuters)

 

á       Japan sent twenty-two doctors and nurses for Indonesia and two disaster surveillance experts (Dec 30, AFP)

 

á       China sending a 100-odd member medical team to tsunami-ravaged Indonesia. Besides, a 35-member rescue team headed by Zhao Heping, deputy director general of the State Seismological Bureau, will leave for Indonesia. (Dec 30, Xinhua)

 

United Nations

 

á       UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) says some 7 staff, including experts in public health, water and sanitation, shelter and communications, have flown into Banda Aceh to join a team already in area. UNHCR also bringing in staff, vehicles and other equipment from elsewhere in Indonesia. (Jan-4, UNHCR)

 

á       WFP and UNHCR will begin two-day helicopter assessment of west coast of Sumatra. UNHCR will focus on providing shelter particularly to regions in the west. (Jan-4, UNHCR)

 

á       The UN Joint Logistics Center (UNJLC), which is setting up operations in Jakarta, said the UN was likely to request for more military help, particularly helicopters for Indonesia. The UNJLC says it will need 5 air traffic control units, fixed wing aircraft capable of short take-off and landing, 100 boats or landing craft and large cargo aircraft and fuel storage units. UNJLC adds in a report today that pirates remain a concern off the west coast.

 

á       The UN Disaster Management Team in Banda Aceh is continuing to coordinate relief activities among humanitarian agencies as well as information sharing. (Jan 3, IFRC)

 

á       CARE International says it is running 14 survivor camps in Aceh province. (Jan 3, Reuters)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

International Humanitarian Relief Organizations

 

á       The International Organization for Migration (IOM) says that its overland relief operation has grown to over 100 trucks. The logistical base in Medan is providing a logistical base for relief arriving from around the world. IOM Medan is working out of the offices of the BAKORNAS Indonesian disaster management agency. IOMÕs Banda Aceh office reported largely undamaged. (Jan 4, IOM)

 

á       British medical relief agency, Merlin, conducting emergency health assessments in Aceh province (Jan-4, Merlin)

 

á       Mercy Corps says has 19 workers on the ground and will deploy more to Aceh. Workers distributing relief supplies to over 10,000 families. Mercy Corps also says it has procured a warehouse and office space in Banda Aceh. (Jan-4, Mercy Corps)

 

á       The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is coordinating resources made available for general use including commercial trucks and foreign military transport aircraft (Jan 3, IFRC)

 

á       Field Assessment and Coordination Teams (FACT) from the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) are active in Meulaboh and Banda Aceh. More Emergency Response Unit (ERU) members including a logistics delegate and a water-sanitation coordinator will be joining FACT some time next week. IFRC delegates from Britain, Australia, Spain and Iceland, Japan and Denmark are present in Medan, Meulaboh, and Banda Aceh. These delegates are working in conjunction with Indonesian Red Cross to train and mobilize local volunteers. Activities are expected to gather momentum over the coming weeks.

 

á       Christian ChildrenÕs Fund has sent counselors to Indonesia to treat traumatized children. (Jan 3, Reuters)

 

á       WHO reports 50 international aid groups arrived in Aceh to provide medical care on Sunday (January 2). WHO says will attempt to organize all groups and provide coordination. (Jan 2, AFP)

 

á       Mercy Corps says it will start air operations into MeulabohÕs short airstrip. (Jan 2, UNJLC)

 

á       International Medical Corps (IMC) says it may use US military air capabilities to ferry relief from US to Asia. Also, private 737 from Jakarta may be used for supplies. (Jan 2, IMC)

 

á       IOM plans to send 25-30 trucks from Medan to Banda Aceh with fuel and other commodities to be distributed by IOM staff. Once in Aceh, the trucks will remain to help with local distribution of supplies that are piling up at the Banda Aceh airport. IOM planned also to send generators to Banda Aceh by plane. IOM has procured 5,000 body bags, also due to arrive in Banda Aceh on December 29. (December 30, US Consulate Medan)

á       Association of Medical Doctors of Asia AMDA dispatched a coordinator from Headquarters in Japan, joined by 6 doctors (2 plastic surgeons, 1 anesthetist and 3 internists) from AMDA Indonesian chapter in Jakarta. (Dec 30, AMDA)

 

Sri Lanka

 

 

OverviewÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉ.page 15

 

Domestic ResponseÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉ.page 17

            Government

            Local Humanitarian Organizations

 

International ResponseÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉpage 19

            Foreign Governments

            United Nations

            International Humanitarian Organizations

 

 

Sri Lanka Overview

 

Unprecedented international relief continued to flow to Sri Lanka, with relief workers trying to get much needed aid to affected areas. In the city of Koddkaikallar where nearly 8,000 people died and 4,000 were left homeless, long lines for food have formed causing the hungry to wait for many hours. All totaled, Sri Lankan officials estimated that more than 100,000 houses and 26 schools were destroyed. In addition, the Ministry of Health stated that the tsunamis resulted in 10 hospitals being completely destroyed and those in Mahamodara, Galle, Kalmune, Nindavur, Kanthankudi, Palaminmadu, Kinniya, Kuchchaweli and Waruthankerni have been devastated. Sri Lanka Daily News reports today that in order to cater to the existing requirements, the Health Ministry has taken steps to acquire government and private buildings to be used as health camps. Government Medical Officers' Association put the number of doctors missing while on duty when the disaster hit at 52.

 

UNOCHA reports that the location of the affected areas causes an enormous logistical challenge to deliver needed relief supplies. Limited trucking and warehousing capacity is further complicating the relief effort. While central coordination mechanisms have been put in place, local coordination capacity remains weak. The lack of transportation and storage facilities is hampering the flow and management of relief efforts. Again, UNOCHA repeated their concern for water and vector borne disease. They stated the immediate priority areas of response are for water (including cleaning up and restoring water wells), sanitation, health, shelter, food and essential non-food items, and transportation means. The Ministry of Health urgently needs 37 jeeps, 20 ambulances and 16 water bowers (792-1585 gallon, 3000-7000 liter, capacity) to strengthen services in the affected areas.

 

ReliefWeb reported yesterday (January 3) that 700,000 people in Sri Lanka were in immediate need of food, and of the 30,000 plus reported killed, nearly 12,000 of them are children. On behalf of the surviving children, an appeal has been made by the National Childcare Protection Authority of Sri Lanka, to cease their unauthorized adoption.

 

Heavy rain in some areas in eastern Sri Lanka on Tuesday (January 4) flooded camps housing thousands of people made homeless by the tsunami and is hampering the relief effort and exacerbating poor sanitary conditions of those displaced. On Saturday (January 1), flash floods caused by heavy rains forced the evacuation of 10,000 people, in low-lying areas in the area of Ampara district. The flooding is still hampering relief efforts, but by today (January 3), aid convoys were getting through to Ampara. By Sunday (January 2), some of the camps housing them were still under water. Over 183,000 people were displaced in the district by the tsunami, which hit on December 26. Relief convoys were delayed by flooded roads for several hours and the main access roads to the region were cut off. In the south, however, the main route, the Galle Road, had been cleared for light traffic. However, while there is access to the district, 70% of buildings on the coastline have been completely destroyed. Of particular concern in all affected districts is the threat of outbreaks in water-borne diseases. WHO warned on Sunday (January 2) that there were increasing reports of diarrhea outbreaks in displaced settlements and called for continued preventive measures. Due to the continued fear of epidemics, the World Health Organization (WHO), has requested Sweden undertake cholera vaccination measures. Sweden will be providing 400,000 doses of cholera vaccine, sufficient enough to vaccinate 200,000 people total, in Sri Lanka and southern India. The BBC reports that although international aid has arrived in Sri Lanka, an effective distribution system is still lacking, with private NGOs complaining that government bureaucracy is slowing down the delivery of aid, particularly to areas further from regional government centers and relief camps. At the Bandaranaike Airport, through which all international flights must transit, an Aviation Ministry official reported that fuel supplies had been restored after briefly being depleted amidst an influx of cargo flights. In related news, the UN Joint Logistics Center reports that there is sufficient off-loading capacity and storage space at the Bandaranaike International Airport near Colombo. All aeronautical fees are waived for aircraft involved with the relief effort. UNJLC also reports that off-loading of equipment in Colombo is recommended since all cargo must be inspected by the Govt. of Sri Lanka. Relief goods can be shipped to field areas by road or air. All other domestic airports are operational, but medium to small cargo planes or helicopters are recommended.

 

Norwegian PeopleÕs Aid (NPA) concluded that the problem of relocated landmines should not hamper relief activities, as most of the minefields were located on higher grounds. The Tamil Rehabilitation Organization, the relief arm of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), had earlier released a statement that downplayed the threat of landmines, saying that competent demining personnel were available to deal with any mines that might surface. However, NPA added that all personnel should exercise general caution and awareness. Today (January 4) the Ministry of Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconciliation stated that the tsunami had not caused the shift of landmines. A spokesman for the ministry said that only five landmines had been found outside the Army Camp in Kallady and were destroyed. The LTTE has been engaged in a 20-year civil war with Sri Lanka. A ceasefire brokered in 2002 has largely held although peace negotiations have stalled. The LTTE controls areas in the north and east of the island nation that were hard hit by the tsunami. Both the LTTE and the government of Sri Lanka have made overtures of cooperation in the aftermath of the tsunami. On Sunday (January 2), a Defense Ministry official claimed that LTTE rebels torched a refugee camp housing displaced Tamil families in the city of Kudatane in south Jaffna after local residents accepted aid from the military. ReliefWeb reports the rebels deny the attacks.

 

The confirmed death toll from SundayÕs (December 26) tsunami disaster has reached 30,196 spread over 14 coastal and inland districts (out of Sri LankaÕs 25 districts). On Monday (January 3) the number of missing was revised downwards from nearly 14,000 to about 4,000.

 

The following districts were affected:

 

District           Dead               Missing          Injured           Displaced      Total Pop*

 

Colombo 76               12                                          16,139             2,234,289

Gampaha      7                                                             32,000            2,066,096

Kalutara        213             102                 421                 34,356             1,060,800       

Galle              4,101                                     2,500              120,000          990,539          

Matara                      1, 205              ­­404                  8,288               41,900             761,236        

Hambantota 4,500                                                             27,351            525,370          

Ampara         10,436                                     120                 183,527           589,344

Batticaloa     2,497               1,097               1,166              203,807           486,447          

Mullativu      3,000              1,300               2,500              24,557            121,667          

Trincomalee 957              335                                         51,863            340,158

Jaffna            2,640             540                 541                  48,729            490,621         

Puttalam       4                                                             850            705,342

Vavuniya**                                                                    641               149,835         

Killinochchi 560             56                 147                  49,129            127,263         

__________________________________________________________________

Total              30,196             3,846               15,683             838,849           10,649,007

 

* From Census 2001

** Vavuniya district was not affected by the tsunami. Affected persons are included here are residents of Vavuniya who were in other districts.

 

 

Domestic Response

 

Local Government

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.priu.gov.lk/CNO%20Website/ndmc/index.html

 

á       All assistance at the district level is being coordinated by Government Agents, supported by UN interagency teams deployed to affected areas.

 

á       The Sri Lanka Ministry of Health is coordinating all medical supplies and skilled personnel. (Oxfam, Jan-01-05)

 

 

The following information is required by DRN:

 

- Cargo specification

- Weight and Quantity

- Origin

- Consignee (or unsolicited)

- A contact point of the receiving agency in Sri Lanka and instructions on how to contact

- Specification if commodities are for common use or for specific agency

 

DRN will keep the commodities in a storage facility in the airport for a maximum of seven days. If the receiving organization has not picked up these commodities, it will be handed over to the Government of Sri Lanka. This service is only available for pure relief commodities.

 

 

á       The Ministry of Health identified safe drinking water, proper sanitation, shelter, clothing, transport vehicles, and drugs and medical supplies as top priorities for response.

 

á       The Sri Lankan Rehabilitation Ministry has sent several loads of tents and bottled drinking water to the North and 2,000 metric tons (MT) of sugar and 195 MT of dhal to the five districts of the North and the East. Additional supplies are in the pipeline to be sent to these areas. Regional government officers have also been authorized to purchase rice for distribution to affected local populations. (GoSL, Dec 29-04)

 

Local Humanitarian Relief Organizations

 

á       The Rangiri Dambulla Development Foundation has allocated a sum of Rs. 200,000 (US$1,935) to provide relief assistance. (Colombo Page, 01-04-05)

 

á       Oxfam in Sri Lanka will spend over Rs. 500 million (US$4.8 million) over a period of two years to rehabilitate affected areas. (Colombo Page, 01-04-05)

 

 

 

 

 

International Response

 

 

 

Foreign Governments

 

 

á       A China-owned Airbus 747 landed at Bandaranaike international airport on Tuesday, bringing relief worth 15 million Yuan (US$ 1.8 million). The goods include blankets, tents, bed sheets, medicine, mosquito net, generator, such food items as milk and biscuits. (Xinhuanet, 01-04-05)

 

á       A 14-member Chinese medical team Tuesday (January 4) started aid work at Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka (ReliefWeb, 01-04-05)

 

á       The government of Italy has sent a 42-member team from the Italian Civil Protection Department to renovate the Matara and Kinniya hospitals. (Colombo Page, 01-04-05)

 

á       The Bangladesh Navy has sent two ships with rescue equipment, medicine and relief goods to Sri Lanka and the Maldives to engage in post-tsunami operations. (Colombo Page, 01-04-05)

 

á       The Canadian government decided on Monday to dispatch its military rapid response team to Sri Lanka. The 200-member Disaster Assistance Response Team will be sent to the heavily hit Ampara district. (Reuters 01-03-05)

 

á       French Health Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy arrived Monday in the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo with 15 tons of medicine and other medical supplies, French TF1 television reported. Medical supplies included six tons of antibiotics and anti-diarrhoea treatment donated by Sanofi-Aventis, the French pharmaceuticals giant. (Xinhuanet, 01-03-05)

 

á       The Tamil daily, Suday Oli, reports that the decision of the Sri Lankan government to accept 1,500 Marines as part of the American contribution to tsunami relief work in Sri Lanka, without involving India, has Ògreatly angered India.Ó (Hindustan Times, Jan-03-05)

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.priu.gov.lk/CNO%20Website/ndmc/relief%20from%20the%20international%20community%20updated.doc