PACIFIC DISASTER MANAGEMENT INFORMATION NETWORK (PDMIN)
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Indian Ocean Earthquake & Tsunami Emergency Update

 

January 15, 2005

 

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

 

 

 

Table of Contents:

 

Overview......................................page 2-6

Indonesia.....................................page 7-17

Sri Lanka......................................page 18-26

Thailand.......................................page 27-35

Overview

 

·      Search and rescue operations for last month’s (December 26) massive tsunamis are largely over. The overall focus of attention is now mainly shifting to relief and recovery efforts. The death toll from tsunamis triggered by an undersea earthquake measuring 9.0 on the Richter scale off the west coast of Indonesia’s northern Sumatra Island has now risen to 157,000 people along the coastal areas of some 11 countries in the Indian Ocean. Tsunami-related deaths have been reported in 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. The death toll in Indonesia’s northern province of Aceh on the island of Sumatra and along the 115 miles of the islands along Indonesia’s northwestern coast, which was close to the epicenter of the earthquake has now climbed to 110,229, with tens of thousands people still unaccounted for. The fate of nearly one million people along the western coast of Aceh is slowly being assessed with anecdotal reports of death rates in excess of 50%. WHO estimates 80 percent of Aceh’s west coast has been damaged. UN officials think the number of people dead and affected by the disaster in Indonesia could significantly climb once authorities are able to assess all hard to reach areas. The death toll in Sri Lanka and India has also climbed to in excess of 30,899 and 10,672 deaths respectively. India’s Andaman and Nicobar Islands, as well as the southern state of Tamil Nadu, have been the worst hit areas. The death toll in Thailand’s resort islands of Phuket and Phi Phi has now climbed to 5,305, 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. Preliminary estimates place the cost of damage for Indonesia – US$1.7 billion, Sri Lanka - US$3 billion, India - US$2 billion, Thailand - US$235 million and Maldives at US$1.3 billion. The world’s largest reinsurer, Munich Re, estimates the total cost of the disaster to exceed US$13.6 billion.

 

·      Coordination: The United States and a number of other militaries and agencies are operating out of and coordinating at Thailand’s Utapao Royal Thai Air Force Base about 100 miles south of Bangkok. The US Combined Support Force 536 (CSF 536), Combined Coordination Center (CCC), which is comprised of liaison officers from Australia, UK, Japan, Thailand and Singapore, and a Civil-Military Coordination Cell are operating. USAID DART representatives are present, as is the UNOCHA coordinator in Thailand. 1,200 US troops are on the ground. Additionally, the US and perhaps others are using the base for transshipment of relief supplies. Work continues on refining the process humanitarian organizations use to request military transport.

 

o      Lieutenant General Robert Blackman, commander of Combined Support Force (CSF 536), said “conditions for transition” have been met in both Thailand and Sri Lanka, while he briefed Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz and Commander of US Pacific Command Admiral Thomas Fargo, who were in Utapao (Thailand) on Saturday (Jan-15) for a three-day trip to the region. He said conditions in Indonesia’s Aceh were still challenging, adding that he will be concentrating his efforts more on Indonesia. (Jan-15, DefenseLink)

 

·      Logistics: A number of logistics problems remain despite progress. Thailand is in good shape. Although main roads are now accessible in most affected districts in Sri Lanka, except Batticaloa. Transport capacity is somewhat improving to move relief supplies inland. Distribution mechanisms remain weak. The Sri Lankan government, in conjunction with the United Nations Joint Logistics Center (UNJLC), is addressing these problems. In Indonesia, backlogs at Banda Aceh airport and nearby Medan airport are diminishing with increased humanitarian coordination and the opening of airport facilities in neighboring Singapore and Malaysia. Tracking and prioritization systems for humanitarian cargo and military airlift are being developed. Indonesian military (TNI) control of Banda Aceh and Medan airports and control of humanitarian and military access is providing a challenge for relief efforts. UNJLC has teams in Banda Aceh, Jakarta, and Colombo and liaison officers to work with the US military. Roads are just now opening up to Meulaboh on the west coast of Aceh, but the road south from Banda Aceh will be closed for perhaps a month as TNI effects repairs. UNJLC plans to soon publish an overview of all air assets on its website at www.unjlc.org that have been made available to humanitarian community. (Jan-8, UNJLC). Starting next week, UNJLC will issue its bulletins twice a week. (Jan-15, UNJLC)

 

o      The UN is using Malaysia’s Subang Airport near the capital Kuala Lumpur as its regional transportation hub. Subang’s current air assets include two C130s and a Casa235. An IL76 and an AN12 are scheduled to be deployed. There are 1,000 square meters of warehouse space available. An additional 625-square meter shelter is being erected on the tarmac. Subang has all required loading and ground handling equipment to serve Tristars and C17s. There are no problems flying Military and Civil Defense Assets (MCDA) to Subang. UNJLC recommends all international relief flights land in Subang and then further dispatch the cargo by smaller aircraft to Banda Aceh and Medan. (Jan-10, UNJLC)

 

o      United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) is operating an 8-seat HS 125-700 business jet out of Subang. The flight is operated on a partial cost recovery basis. A flat fee of US$200 is charged, regardless of destination. UNHAS in Subang, Malaysia can be reached at +603-7846-1364. (Jan-13, UNJLC)

 

o      Starting January 16, UNHAS will be operating an HS-125 18 seat passenger aircraft out of Subang, Malaysia. (Jan-15, UNJLC)

 

o      UNHAS says IL76 made available for strategic airlift provides only regional airlift free of charge. All long-range IL76 flights are carried out on reimbursable basis. (Jan-14, UNJLC)

 

o      UNICEF is offering empty space on weekly B747 flights operated by British Airways due to start on January 19. Cargo can be loaded in Copenhagen (Denmark) or in Dubai (UAE). The first two flights are full. (Jan-14, UNJLC)

 

·      Food: The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates some 2 million people in 12 countries affected by the tsunami disaster are in need of food assistance. FAO says despite local losses, overall food availability in the region should be adequate to cover needs. Recommends local purchases of food, where possible, to meet food aid requirements. The agency is seeking US$26 million to rehabilitate fisheries and agriculture in affected countries. (Jan-11, FAO). UN’s World Food Program (WFP) has already delivered some 9,744 metric tons of food in affected countries. WFP is currently assisting some 1,069,000 people with their food needs in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Myanmar, Thailand and Somalia. WFP says it has so far received US$81.9 million or 32% in response to its US$256 million emergency appeal. (Jan-12, WFP)

 

·      Health/Medical: 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. Jan Egeland, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs says at least 1.6 million people affected by the disaster are in need of food aid. Assessments reports from Aceh’s west coast have yet to come in. WHO says an estimated 500,000 people are believed to have been injured in the tsunami. Officials are warning of a “health disaster” if the survivors are not treated to prevent infection and are not given quick access to clean drinking water. There have been some reports of diarrhea, malaria, pneumonia and skin infections in Indonesia. Ingestion of dirty water from the tsunami has increased the risk of pneumonia. Contamination of drinking water sources and stagnant water have increased the risk of water-borne diseases such as cholera, diarrhea, dysentery, malaria and dengue fever. With the lack of services in some areas, wounds have quickly become infected. Measles will spread more easily as people’s systems are worn down. Food and medicine in many areas are in short supply. Due to warm temperatures, the risk of malaria, which is endemic to the region, remains high. (Dec-30, UN News Service, PBS) However, so far there have been no reports of disease outbreaks. WHO is encouraging setting up smaller-sized camps for displaced survivors. WHO Director-General Dr. Lee Jong-Wook says smaller camp sizes will lessen the risk of disease outbreaks that can otherwise spread easily when people are packed together.

 

o      The UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Jan Egeland is saying he did not believe as many people would die of disease in the aftermath of the tsunami as earlier feared. Egeland told a press briefing yesterday (Jan-13) that he believed relief efforts could avoid the feared “second wave of death.” WHO officials had earlier warned that as many as 150,000 additional people could die of diseases if immediate precautions are not taken. Egeland said combined with lack of clean drinking water and poor sanitary conditions in emergency camps, diarrhea, malaria, pneumonia and measles remain the biggest threat. He said, “We need to get relief teams on the ground if we are going to prevent the second wave of disease and casualties.” Yesterday, a health expert with the aid group, Mentor Initiative, warned that malaria alone could kill as many as 100,000 people in tsunami-affected communities in the Indian Ocean.

 

o      The international medical relief group, Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), said its medical teams in different locations in Indonesia’s Aceh are reporting cases of tetanus, a potentially life-threatening disease with a mortality rate as high as 25%. The disease is caused when untreated wounds are infected with the tetanus bacteria. MSF says due to low vaccine coverage among the local population, a series of three tetanus shots will be needed to protect people against the disease for a period of ten years. MSF is urging other organizations to start preventive measures.

 

o      WHO is saying that new security restrictions imposed by the Indonesian government, stemming from an ongoing armed conflict between the government and separatist GAM rebels in Aceh, would hinder access to many wounded and injured people needing urgent medical care in hard-to-reach places.

 

·      Security: Yesterday (January 11), citing security concerns, the Indonesian government introduced new regulations requiring humanitarian relief organizations to seek the Indonesian military’s approval and escort before moving beyond major cities. Budi Atmadi, Indonesia’s director of disaster relief in Aceh, says the new regulations are aimed at improving coordination and eliminating duplication of efforts. The UN is saying that it did not believe the new regulations would hinder its work. The Australian government is supporting the Indonesian government’s demand. However, some non-governmental organizations, such as Mercy Corps, have said the new regulations may have an effect on their operations. The US and the UN are seeking “clarification” from Jakarta that the new restrictions would not affect their relief operations in the country. (Jan-13, AFP, UNNC)

 

o      While visiting the provincial capital of Banda Aceh, Indonesian Vice President Yusuf Kalla said his government was working with GAM rebels for a permanent truce. He did not elaborate if the negotiations had already taken place. (Jan-14, AFP, AP)

 

o      Sri Lankan government has now allowed United Nations officials to visit areas controlled by Liberation Tigers of Tamil (LTTE) rebels, which were devastated by last month’s tsunami, to assess the damage. (Jan-15, AP)

 

·      Political-Military: Indonesian Vice President Yusuf Kalla is reiterating that foreign troops must leave tsunami-hit Aceh no later than March 26, adding that contractors would be able to pick up work when foreign troops leave. He said foreign volunteers would be allowed to stay and continue their humanitarian missions. However, US State Department sources say Mr. Kalla had clarified to the US Ambassador in Jakarta that no fixed timetable would be imposed on the withdrawal of foreign troops. (Jan-14, AFP, AP)

 

o      The US Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz is saying that the US military was eager to begin a transitional phase to hand over its relief operations in countries affected by last month’s tsunami to their respective governments, other militaries, non-governmental organizations and aid agencies. Wolfowitz, who arrived in Indonesia following a tour of tsunami-affected areas in Thailand, said the US government shared the goal of wrapping up its military operations in the country as soon as possible. He said, “we certainly hope that the US military can be handing this off to other people long before [the end of March]”, adding that he hoped the US would not be needed as a military in the region at the same time. Wolfowitz is later scheduled to visit Sri Lanka, which has also been severely affected by the tsunami. Meanwhile, Rear Admiral Victor Guillory, deputy commander of US naval forces assigned to the Combined Support Force 536 (CSF 536) is saying it is premature to suggest that “Operation Unified Assistance” had peaked.

 

o      Singapore’s Defense Minister Teo Chee Hean said Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) will be wrapping up their projects in Indonesia’s Aceh over the next week or so and preparing to hand over to Indonesian authorities, as well as to Singaporean NGOs and other NGOs. He said the overall situation in Aceh was stabilizing and it was time for relief efforts to move from the emergency phase to the reconstruction phase. (Jan-15, CNA)

 

·      International Assistance: Ministers and delegates from more than 80 countries met at the UN headquarters in the Swiss capital of Geneva today to discuss the Asian tsunami disaster. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), which called the meeting, said that some 70 percent (US$717 million) of the funds, in response to its nearly US$1 billion “flash appeal” on January 6, have already been raised and are available for immediate spending. Jan Egeland, UN Under Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, has called the international response “unprecedented” and generous, and expressed hope that the remaining contributions will materialize over the next few days. Upon UN insistence, donors also promised that funds would be “new” money and unlike in the past, aid funds would not be switched from other budgeted disasters. (Jan-11, Reuters, AFP, AP)

 

o      German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder is saying his country is committed to long-term relief and reconstruction projects in tsunami-affected nations. Germany’s cabinet has agreed to increase aid for affected countries to US$660 million (EUR 500 million). Schroeder said it has not been decided how the money would be spent. (Jan-12, DPA)

 

o      The G7 group of seven industrialized nations will freeze debt repayments for countries hit by the tsunami and will work with the Paris Club and other creditors to implement the decision. The EU President, Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker, Prime Minister of Luxembourg advocates full debt relief for tsunami nations. (Jan-9, AFP)

 

o      Islamic Development Bank (IDB) will provide US$500 million in relief and reconstruction aid to countries affected by the tsunami disaster. IDB reportedly made the pledge at the Special ASEAN Leaders’ meeting that was held this Thursday (January 6) in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta. IDB said it would make special arrangements for the region’s development partners to ensure quick disbursement of funds for affected countries. (Jan-9, NST)

 

o      World Bank (WB) President James Wolfensohn is saying it could take up to three months to draw up a detailed reconstruction plan for tsunami-affected nations. He warned against hastening reconstruction plans, adding that people must be involved in the process to make plans work. (Jan-12, AFP). WB is providing US$300 million to Indonesia, US$100 million to Sri Lanka, and US$12 million to the Maldives in immediate financial assistance. (Jan-13, Reuters)

 

o      Kuwait has increased its aid pledge for countries affected by the tsunami from US$30 million to US$100 million. The package includes US$30 million in cash, and US$70 million will be used to finance infrastructure projects through the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) in the affected countries. (Jan-9, KNA)

 

o      Jan Egeland, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, said on Sunday (January 10) that his office was working with international financial experts, including the accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers, to devise a public tracking system on the Internet that would allow donors to track the progress and utilization of their contributions as they make their way to those in need. (Jan-10, IHT)

 

·      International Development & Relief Organizations: The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has revised its preliminary appeal for the tsunami crisis from US$59 million to US$155 million, to fund its operations for a six-month period ending June 30, 2005. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is using Singapore as a regional hub.

 

Indonesia

 

Organization

 

Overview …………………………………………………………page 8

 

Sectors……………………………………………………………page 9

 

Domestic Response……………………………………………page 13

            Government                                                            

            Local Humanitarian Organizations

 

International Response……………………………………….page 14

            Foreign Governments

            United Nations

            International Humanitarian Organizations

Overview: Jan Egeland, UN Undersecretary for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordination urged Indonesia not to impose a March 26 deadline for foreign troops to leave Indonesia. Government comments indicate that aid workers will be allowed to stay past the deadline. The GoI said foreigners will need permission, and possibly military escorts, if they want to work outside of Banda Aceh and Meulaboh. The Free Aceh Movement (GAM) says that it will stick to its unilateral ceasefire and will not attack anyone involved in the relief effort. GoI figures for Aceh released by SATKORLAK to the UN show 118,000 dead, 580,000 displaced (including an estimated 100,000 in the neighboring province), and a huge 272,000 missing. Displaced populations needing support include 130,000 in the vicinity of Banda Aceh, 160,000 on the east coast, and at least 90,000 on the just-being-surveyed west coast, along with the 100,000 in Medan in North Sumatra province. US helicopters have been continuing to ferry food, water and medical supplies to isolated areas along Aceh’s west coast. GOI estimates preliminary financial losses at US$1.7 billion (15 trillion rupiah) with a more reliable assessment to be conducted the government, the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and several foreign countries. During the international ministerial tsunami meeting in Geneva on Tuesday (January 11), several countries pledged some US$900 million for a six-month period to Indonesia. Indonesia says it needs some US$2.15 billion dollars over the next five years to rebuild Aceh province. Indonesia wants its creditors to freeze some (US$3.3 billion) in debt repayments through 2006, or about a third of its US$8.8 billion in payments over the period. (Jan-14, Reuters)

 

Banda Aceh vicinity: Banda Aceh and the surrounding Aceh Besar Regency have 130,000 displaced which are being moved from ad-hoc camps to 24 organized ones. Nearly 80,000 are reported dead, with 255,000 missing. The pre-tsunami population was 575,000. The Indonesian government reports that 80% of the roads and power infrastructure were destroyed along with virtually all the sanitation capability. Relief is flowing into Banda Aceh mainly by air into the Banda Aceh airport from Medan, Jakarta, and Kuala Lumpur, and by road from Medan in North Sumatra province. UN setting up Civil-Military Operations Centre in Banda Aceh airport, which will include representatives of the TNI, US, Australia and Singapore Air Force. Some semblance of normality is returning with more markets reported open. However, public transportation reported scarce. Around 380 government officials have been imported from Jakarta to get local government affairs restarted; hundreds of police and thousand of TNI have been brought in. TNI is appealing for additional heavy equipment and operators to assist in clean up of Banda Aceh.

 

West Coast of Aceh Province: The west coast of Aceh had a population of about one million in its six regencies, with about 500,000 in the northern three and 500,000 in the southern three. The northern three provinces—south from Banda Aceh to just past Meulaboh appear hardest hit. The largest west coast death toll is in Meulaboh, where some 28,251 people died, the Social Affairs Ministry reports. WFP plans on 130,000 needing food, including 60,000 near Mulaboh in Aceh Barat Regency. Although many locations have been visited and are being supported by NGOs and governments, a comprehensive health survey of the west coast began yesterday. Military says that according to initial assessments, helicopters may be able to land at the airport, despite the damage. The World Food Program (WFP) has established a presence in the ports of Meulaboh and Singkil. UNOCHA reports that in Meulaboh, only one functional hospital remains on the outskirts of the town, which is being supported by Medecins Sans Frontiers (Doctors Without Borders). Several field hospitals are reportedly being deployed by various players. . US military engineers are assessing the damaged airport, located 10 miles (16 km) from Meulaboh and roads around the town. US military helicopter crews have flown hundreds of relief missions over the past two weeks to isolated areas. The United Nations Joint Logistics Center (UNJLC) says that multi-sectoral assessment missions on the west coast will be carried out using US military helicopters. The UN is setting up a common office in the town, involving UNHCR, UNOCHA, WFP, UNICEF, the UNJLC and UNSECOORD.

 

 

Domestic Response

 

Local Government

 

·       The GOI has a 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)

 

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

 

·       Government of Indonesia tasked the National Development Planning Agency (BAPPENAS) with the development of an initial reconstruction plan for Aceh in time for Consultative Group on Indonesia donor meetings scheduled for January 19 through 21. (Jan-06, USAID)

 

·       GOI retained the American accounting firm of Ernst &Young to audit foreign aid being sent for reconstruction, according to the US Ambassador to Indonesia, Lynn Pascoe. (Jan-14, IHT)

 

·       TNI is sending thousands more troops into Aceh to help with the relief effort, bringing the total to 50,000. Major General Syafrie Syamsuddin says that some 12 battalions, with troop numbers ranging from a few hundred to one thousand, will be sent over the coming months. Troops will focus on humanitarian operations, initially the cleaning up of debris in towns. (Jan-13, AFP) Some 38,000 troops were already present in Aceh for military operations against the GAM.

 

·       Welfare Minister Alwi Shihab says that some 500 personnel have been sent from Jakarta to help in the recovery of bodies. (Jan-12, DPA)

 

·       GOI plans to immediately set up makeshift schools in some 95 locations near camps for the displaced. (Jan-12, Xinhua)

 

·       The Indonesian Government today established a joint Disaster Management Centre (DMC) with the United Nations, which will prioritize the management and coordination of relief efforts. Assessments will be collected at the DMC to provide useable information for prioritization of needs in order to better assist the affected. UN will assist the government with resources of UNOCHA and UNJLC. Six UN staff will be based at the DMC. (Jan-10, UNOCHA)

 

·       A US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) team under WHO will support the Indonesian Ministry of Health in conducting health facilities assessment. (Jan-9, WHO)

 

·       Indonesian police deployed around 800 officers to Aceh Province to fill the posts of some 450 killed in the disaster. The Indonesian Defense Force said 517 soldiers were killed in the tsunami.

 

 

 

Local Organizations

 

• The Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) sent over 800 trained volunteers to Aceh. PMI members are in Banda Aceh, Meulaboh and Lhokseumawe. Focus is on west coast of Aceh between Tapaktuang and Meulaboh. PMI Secretary-General is in Medan. Indonesian Red Cross(PMI)/ICRC/IFRC assessments conducted in Banda Aceh, Meulaboh and Lhokseumawe. Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) has 32-person disaster response team in Meulaboh to help PMI personnel already deployed.

 

• Two Jakarta-based aid organizations, the Humanitarian Emergency Commission and the Aceh Working Group (AWG) say that government red tape is hampering their relief efforts. (Jan-6, Jakarta Post)

 

International Response

 

Foreign Governments

 

·       US Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz scheduled to visit Banda Aceh over the weekend and have talks with GOI officials on Sunday. Mr. Wolfowitz says Indonesian deadline of March 26 for foreign military involvement is no problem.

 

·       Advance troops from a Russian medical unit that arrived Tuesday (January 11) are setting up a mobile hospital in Banda Aceh. Troops will eventually number 200. (Jan-14, AP)

 

·       Singapore military slowly handing over relief duties to NGOs and withdrawing over next several weeks. The Singaporean amphibious ship, RSS Endeavour is headed to Meulaboh carrying some 200 pallets of relief supplies and a pair of trucks loaded on landing craft and volunteers from groups, such as the Singapore Red Cross, Mercy Relief, Touch Community Services, the National Volunteer Philanthropy Centre and YMCA. Singapore currently has 6 helicopters and 2 helicopter landing ships in Indonesia. Singapore Armed Forces set up a field hospital in Banda Aceh, which houses 3,000 displaced. Singapore is International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) hub for Indonesia relief.

 

·       Admiral Thomas Fargo, Commander of US Pacific Command, is touring the disaster region and assessing the relief operation. US agreed for the majority of troops to return to ships after each day’s operations. USS Abraham Lincoln diverted to international waters to allow fighter pilots to maintain level of training without interrupting aid delivery. The US Abraham Lincoln carrier group (includes four other ships and some 6,500 sailors and Marines) arrived off Sumatra on January 1. USS Bonhomme Richard and two other warships carrying a Marine expeditionary unit of 2,200 Marines arrived in the area to join in relief operations. US airlift operations are continuing to be flown out of Utapao base in Thailand.

 

• France sent helicopter carrier Jeanne d’Arc, carrying 11 helicopters and the frigate George Leygues to provide medical aid in Aceh. (Jan 2, AFP)

 

·       German supply/hospital ship Berlin, which also has a field hospital, arrived offshore Banda Aceh.

·       Brunei sends team of doctors, nurse, health personnel and volunteers to Banda Aceh.

 

·       Japanese Ambassador to Indonesia says 970 troops will be sent to Aceh, including two C-130 planes, five helicopters and three naval ships. Advance team of Japan’s Self Defense Forces (SDF) began a survey of medical conditions in Banda Aceh. An additional 40 members as well as relief supplies headed towards region. Japanese Defense Chief, Yoshinori Ohno promised that Japan would keep troops in Indonesia for at least 3 months, as requested by Jakarta. A C-130 provided by the Japanese Self-Defense Force is transporting relief from UNHCR from Utapao (Thailand) to Medan, daily. (Jan-11, UNJLC)

 

·       Pakistan sent 87 army engineers and paramedics. Personnel are setting up a field hospital and waiting for engineering equipment to arrive. Pakistan sent 2 tons of medicines to Banda Aceh. Troops will set up a 50-bed hospital in the area.

 

·       Egypt is sending medical team and humanitarian aid to Aceh. (Jan-10, Jakarta Post)

 

·       New Zealand has 1 C-130 Hercules cargo plane and crew, and some 30 medical staff in Indonesia. New Zealand is deploying three more Defense Force medical teams to Banda Aceh.

 

·       Malaysia offers to further extend amnesty for illegal migrant workers in Malaysia, should the Indonesian government request. Amnesty was due to expire on Dec. 31, but Malaysia extended it for one month. Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi says that Malaysia will help rebuild Sumatra island for up to the next 10 years, including the construction of schools and other infrastructure for the 35,000 orphans in Aceh. Malaysia opened its airspace and two airports to UN and Australia relief operations. The UN’s World Food Program/UN Joint Logistics Center is using Subang airport, located outside Kuala Lumpur, while Australia is using Butterworth in the northern part of peninsula Malaysia.

 

·       Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) send a response team of 30. AusAid assessed the offshore island of Simuelue and will deliver 12 tons of emergency supplies. 900 Australian Defence Force personnel are in Indonesia. With Malaysia’s authorization, Australia is operating out of its old airfield Butterworth near Penang Island at the north of peninsula Malaysia.

 

·       European Commission (EC) contributions from Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Norway, and Portugal.

 

United Nations

 

·       UNICEF is the focal point for education data and information assistance to Aceh. UNICEF says relocation of IDPs from schools is a major issue. At least 5 schools in Banda Aceh are occupied by IDPs, and 3 schools in Meulaboh by the military and NGOs. A rapid assessment in 7 of 11 districts in Aceh reveals 420 schools destroyed and 1,200 teachers killed. UNICEF is sending mobile schools. UNICEF is registering thousands of orphans in Aceh to protect them. UNICEF is also working with Indonesia’s government to set up child centers to help reunite children separated from their families. UNICEF is looking ahead to establish 600 schools to serve 120,000 children.

 

• United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), with the request of the GOI, conducted an environmental assessment from January 4 to January 12. UNEP will work with the Ministry of Environment to identify key needs.

 

• World Food Program (WFP) is working with the following partners in Aceh and North Sumatra: Mercy Corps, CARE, World Vision and Save the Children. WFP team assessing needs in Aceh is visiting 17 sites in 10 days. WFP has a total of 4 offices in Aceh and North Sumatra provinces; WFP established a presence in ports of Meulaboh and Singkil on the west coast. Temporary warehouses being erected to address shortage of storage. (Jan-10, WFP) WFP’s new Humanitarian Air Hub, operating out of Subang airport in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, began operations on January 9. WFP base camp in Banda Aceh is reportedly fully operational with a capacity for some 70 people. The camp will be jointly run by the WFP and UNOCHA.

 

• UNHCR will soon have three Swiss Super Puma helicopters for use that will operate from Medan-Meulaboh, Medan-Banda Aceh and Banda Aceh–Meulaboh. (Jan-14, Reuters) says using additional commercial charter flights and truck convoys from Jakarta to Aceh in a major push to move all the agency’s 400 tons of relief supplies. (Jan-12, UNHCR) UNHCR currently has 9 international staff, and four local staff in Banda Aceh, with another 7 internationals and 3 local staff expected soon. (Jan-7, UNHCR)

 

·       UN Development Programme (UNDP) says 300 displaced in Banda Aceh were hired by the Ministry of Public Works, with the support of UNDP, to help with clean-up.

 

·      World Health Organization (WHO) is appealing for US$60 million to address public health needs. WHO organized to 50 international health groups in Aceh to provide medical care.

 

·       UN Human Settlements Program (UN-HABITAT) is preparing emergency and reconstruction proposals.

 

International Humanitarian Relief Organizations

 

·       World Bank President James Wolfensohn says that initial damage assessments by the bank should appear within two weeks. The World Bank says it will provide US$300 million in initial financial support for Indonesia. (Jan-14, AlertNet)

 

·      Mentor Initiative began an anti-malaria spraying in the Banda Aceh area.

 

·       Save the Children identifying children separated from parents from disaster across some 17 camps so far. (Jan-11, Save the Children).

 

• World Vision International (WVI) sent 125 tons of relief aid from the US and Canada. WVI has a relief base in Banda Aceh staffed with 30 workers. (Jan-10, WVI) World Vision International (WVI) is assisting traumatized children in Banda Aceh. World Vision Indonesia started aid distribution in Aceh on January 4. Food aid will be followed by distribution of tents and family kits for 5,000 people. (Jan-6, WV)

 

• Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) is working in Banda Aceh, Meulaboh, Medan, Lamno and Lampe-Ngo assisting roughly 100,000 people. MSF chartered a landing craft to bring materials to Lamno, on the west coast of Aceh. Extra water distribution points for some 4,000-8,000 people living in camps will be set up as well as for town’s residents. (Jan-12, MSF). MSF sent more than 60 international staff and 120 tons of relief to Indonesia.

 

• Mercy Corps established an office in Meulaboh and is working with Indonesian government to coordinate activities. (Jan-9, USAID)

 

·       The Australian Red Cross, among other relief, deployed 6 Emergency Response Unit’s (ERU’s) in Indonesia (2 Basic health care, 2 Water and sanitation, 1 Telecommunications and 1 Logistics). (Jan-6, Aus Red Cross)

 

·       Association of Medical Doctors of Asia (AMDA) has been providing medical services in Banda Aceh since December 28.

 

·       CARE International is running 14 camps in Aceh province. (Jan 3, Reuters)

 

·       The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has GOI Ministry of People’s Welfare (MENKOKESRA) blessing to organize in-land transportation of aid into Aceh and North Sumatra. (Jan-13, IOM) IOM is assisting displaced leaving Aceh for Medan and Jakarta. IOM has some 150 trucks shuttling between Medan and Banda Aceh. IOM Medan is working out of the offices of the BAKORNAS Indonesian disaster management agency. IOM’s undamaged Banda Aceh office is supporting other agencies, some of whose facilities were destroyed. (Jan-5, UNJLC) IOM technical team is based in Jakarta’s Halim military airport to facilitate the loading of relief goods coming in from donors. (Jan-5, UNOCHA)

 

·       The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) sent its first shipment of 160 tons of relief goods for some 40,000 people to Banda Aceh. ICRC says it currently has enough goods for 300,000 people, and the group is exploring other routes to bypass congested distribution points. (Jan-9, Channelnews Asia) 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. IFRC delegates from Britain, Australia, Spain, Iceland, Japan , Singapore, 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.

·       Oxfam is working water and sanitation issues in Banda Aceh, Aceh Besar Province, and the town of Meulaboh on the west coast.

 

 

 

 

 

Sri Lanka

 

 

Overview. …………………………………………………page 19

 

Sectors…………………………………………………….page 19

 

Domestic Response…………………………………….page 21

            Government

            Local Humanitarian Organizations

 

International Response…………………………………page 22

            Foreign Governments

            United Nations

            International Humanitarian Organizations

Overview: Emergency coordinators believe aid is reaching all survivors. President Chandrika Kumaratunga says reconstruction is a priority. Death toll rose by 27 to 30,920 and number of missing has fallen by four to 6,034 in over 14 districts (out of Sri Lanka’s 25 districts), according to latest government figures on Friday (January 14). Number of displaced dropped to 440,000; about 450 camps remain. Meanwhile, Sri Lankan Department of Meteorology monitoring depression southeast of Sri Lanka. Depression bringing rains in southern and eastern Sri Lanka, which is expected to intensify in next 24 hours from Saturday (January 15)..

 

Norway’s peace envoy Erik Solheim to return next week to attempt to improve relations between government and Tamil Tigers. WFP Director and UN special coordinator for tsunami visiting rebel-held areas. Meanwhile, US Lt.-General Robert Blackman, Commander of CSF 536, reportedly considers US military mission complete in Thailand and Sri Lanka, and is now planning to focus on Indonesia. Sri Lanka is welcoming assistance from the UN, foreign governments, and humanitarian organizations. Foreign Minister Kadirgamar pursuing debt relief, rather than delay on Sri Lanka’s US$9 billion of bilateral and multilateral debt, and improved access to Europe’s markets. Sri Lanka is looking at US$3 billion in reconstruction assistance.

 

Sector Status
Affected Population	440,000 remain internally displaced with numbers decreasing; some sources report nearly 500,000 in camps or public buildings. Number of people living in camps decreased by 50 percent between January 8 to 11, as people moved in with family or returned home. (Jan-14, UN-OCHA) Other sources have 200,000+ staying with family or friends. 750,000 will receive food, for up to six months. 450 camps remain. The Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) identifying land for relocation so that schools and other public buildings can be evacuated for their intended use, within a short time frame.   The 20-year conflict between the government and the Tamil Tigers (LTTE) in the north and east may be hampering delivery to those areas.
Coordination	The Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) established Center for National Operations (CNO) under the direct authority of the Prime Minister. CNO serves as focal point for the coordination of relief work, including coordination of line ministries, and all provincial and governmental bodies. Center also provides links to sectoral ministries and serves as the interface between the government, NGOs, and the UN.   UN is working closely with the government, coordinating sector by sector. Information is compiled and disseminated through a government website (http://www.cnosrilanka.org). The GoSL has also set up a Task Force for Logistics and Law and Order, which will set up a tracking system for all relief goods. The Disaster Relief Network (DRN) has set up operations at the airport in Colombo and signed an agreement with the Government of Sri Lanka to receive all incoming relief commodities. All assistance at the district level is being coordinated by GoSL agents supported by UN interagency teams deployed to affected areas.   The International Committee of the Red Cross is coordinating Red Cross activities in the north and east LTTE areas; the International Federation of the Red Cross is coordinating elsewhere.
Logistics	There is a UN On-Site Operations Coordination Centre (OSOCC) and UN Joint Logistics Center (UNJLC) presence in the capital Colombo. UNJLC runs the Logistics Operations Center, which include civilian loads and military lift.   IOM providing transportation and logistical support to Ministry of Health to transport medical supplies and other cargo. Congestion reported in Colombo port from increase in naval relief vessels. (Jan-14, UN OCHA) Backlogs at the airport have largely been cleared. Humanitarian supplies trucked south to Galle. Beyond Galle, and in the east, roads degrade. Limited capacity for secondary transport on land. Roads Development Authority (RDA) is focusing on the reconstruction of the highway in the East.
Food	WFP distributed 15-day food rations to 750,000 beneficiaries, dispatching 5,000 MT of its food, plus another 1,200 MT of GoSL-purchased food. WFP is now working on delivery for the next 15-day period using 50 trucks. WFP expects to be delivering food for six months. WFP has sub-offices in Galle, Ampara, Trincomalee, and Batticaloa; established a sub-office in northern LTTE-controlled city of Jaffna. WFP has set up field office in Mullaithivu area - first time UN agency has been allowed to establish permanent presence in the area. (Jan-14, WFP)   Ration cards will be distributed nationwide to facilitate even distribution of supplies. UN says 80% of fishing fleet was destroyed, and 10 of 12 key fishing harbors inoperative. (Jan-14, DFID) Fish provide half the animal protein in Sri Lanka.
Water and Sanitation	The Ministry of Health announced that there are sufficient supplies of chlorine and water purification tablets in all districts. WHO, UNICEF, and Oxfam working water and sanitation relief and plan. WHO leads water quality monitoring.
Public Health and Medical	WHO Southeast Asia Director Samlee Plianbangchang says no disease outbreaks in first critical month. WHO and UNICEF working health sector. WHO strengthening laboratory network and reestablishing cold chain. WHO says no additional health personnel required, but transportation and sanitation are priorities. WHO is working plan for disease surveillance at the district level and disease vector control. Continued concern about disease outbreaks, including malaria. Government Medical Officer Association (GMOA) said Health Ministry not properly monitoring medical assistance to North, East and coastal areas – resulting in distribution of expired drugs. (Jan-15, The Island)
Shelter	Immediate needs are being met by over 500 camps, plus schools, places of worship, and other public buildings. Total of 278 schools being used as temporary shelters for displaced families. Urgent need for “mid-term” temporary shelters. President Kumaratunga said GoSL will replace lost homes at no cost to the owners within three months; GoSL identifies 75,000 sites so far.   Discussions on transitional shelter continue between UNHCR and government. Urgent need for shelter, water and sanitation for camps. (Jan-14, DFID) Government has revised appeal for tents from 100,000 to 35,000. (Jan-14, WFP) UNCEF pledged to increase supply from 5,000 to 10,000 tents. (Jan-14, OCHA)