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

 

January 26, 2005

 

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

 

 

Table of Contents:

 

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

Indonesia.....................................page 7-18

Sri Lanka......................................page 19-27

Thailand.......................................page 28-36

Overview

 

·      Search and rescue operations for last month’s (December 26) massive tsunamis are largely over. The overall focus of attention is relief, recovery and rehabilitation. 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, is now over 280,000 people along the coastal areas of 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 is particularly severe in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and Thailand. The toll for the dead and missing in Indonesia’s northern province of Aceh on the island of Sumatra, which was close to the epicenter of the earthquake, has now climbed to more than 228,000, with tens of thousands people still unaccounted for. WHO estimates 80 percent of Aceh’s west coast was damaged. The death toll in Sri Lanka climbed to 38,000 and is expected to go higher. In India, at least 10,672 died. India’s Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and the southern state of Tamil Nadu were the worst-hit areas. The death toll on Thailand’s west coast, including the resort islands of Phuket and Phi Phi, climbed to over 5,300, including some 1,765 foreigners from at least 36 countries. More than 400 combined deaths have been reported in Malaysia, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Maldives, Somalia, Tanzania and Kenya. Preliminary costs are: Indonesia – US$4.5 billion, Sri Lanka - US$3.5 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 will exceed US$13.6 billion. Only a third of the estimated losses were covered by insurance, mainly in the form of life insurance. The overall insurance pay out across the region is not expected to exceed US$5 billion. Despite the widespread destruction and loss of life in the four worst-affected countries, namely Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and Thailand, the economic impact on these economies is expected to be manageable. According to an Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU) report, the tsunami disaster is expected to reduce the projected GDP growth rate for this year (2005) for Indonesia by .3%; Sri Lanka by 1.4%; and Thailand by 1.2%. The GDP growth for India is expected to be unaffected. The 2005 projected GDP growth rate now stands at 5.4% for Indonesia; 4.2% for Sri Lanka; and 4.3% for Thailand.

 

·      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 (161 km) 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 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. Combined Support Group-Thailand (CSG-T) was stood down on January 22. Blackman also plans to phase out CSG-Sri Lanka (CSG-SL) by January 29. (Jan-22, APAN)

 

Logistics: The overall flow of humanitarian relief aid in Indonesia remains smooth. Despite some delays on particular routes (by land, Medan – Banda Aceh and bottlenecks at the ports of Lhoksemeuwe, Belawan), the distribution of aid has continued uninterrupted. In Sri Lanka, transport capacity to move relief supplies is improving, as are distribution mechanisms. Trincomalee has more lorries and organized transport than Batticaloa. However, there are no indications of transportation shortage in Batticaloa. This situation could quickly change as some 31 humanitarian actors start expanding their activities. The need for helicopters is diminishing as more areas become accessible by road. In Indonesia, backlogs at Banda Aceh airport and nearby Medan airport are diminishing with increased humanitarian coordination and the opening of airport facilities on Weh Island and 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 have been challenges for relief efforts. UNJLC has teams in Banda Aceh, Medan, Jakarta, and Colombo as well as liaison officers to work with the US military. Roads are now open to Meulaboh on the west coast of Aceh, but the road south from Banda Aceh is closed for perhaps a month as TNI effects repairs. (Jan-26, UNJLC)

 

o      The UN is using Malaysia’s Subang Airport, near the capital Kuala Lumpur, as its regional Humanitarian Air Hub (SHAH). SHAH is jointly managed by WFP, the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF), the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) and UNJLC. Cargo is airlifted to either Banda Aceh or Medan, or transported for dispatch by ship. UNJLC recommends all international relief flights land in Subang, and then further dispatch the cargo by smaller aircraft to Banda Aceh and Medan. The UN plans to continue to use SHAH as its priority-one dispatch center for all freight and will keep it as a strategic hub until the end of February. An assessment will be carried out in mid-February to determine whether the hub should be kept longer. (Jan-21, UNJLC)

 

o      Agencies with cargo loads too small to charter an aircraft can now complete a cargo request form available at UNJLC’s website. UNJLC will collate these loads for common chartering. (Jan-21, UNJLC)

 

o      US military has ceased C-130 flights from Jakarta to Banda Aceh, as of January 25. The phased pullout of US forces is scheduled to begin next week. (Jan-26, UNJLC)

 

·      Food: 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. UN’s World Food Program (WFP) has already delivered some 9,744 metric tons of food in affected countries. WFP is currently assisting 1,100,000 people with food in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Myanmar, Thailand and Somalia. WFP says it has received US$81.9 million or one-third of its US$256 million emergency appeal. The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates 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 is adequate to cover needs. FAO recommends local purchases of food, where possible, to meet food aid requirements. The agency is working to rehabilitate fisheries and agriculture in affected countries.

 

o      WFP says as of Friday (January 21), it has provided 14,800 tons of food to some 1.43 million people in tsunami-affected countries. WFP estimates some 2 million people are in need of food assistance in the aftermath of last month’s tsunami. It is currently carrying out Emergency Needs Assessments (ENA) in Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. WFP says it will run out of wheat, sugar and rice by April if additional donor support is not secured. The agency is seeking US$256 million to fund its operations. (Jan-21, WFP, UNJLC)

 

o      WFP says it is currently feeding some 400,000 people in Indonesia’s Aceh province, adding that some 200,000 people were still not receiving adequate food. WFP has begun food shipments via a chartered vessel to the island of Simuelue, Meulaboh town, and other locations along Aceh’s western coast. The vessel is carrying some 4,000 MT of commodities. (Jan-24, OCHA)

 

·      Health/Medical: World Health Organization (WHO) officials in South Asia estimate as many as five million people displaced and at risk across the region. In Indonesia alone, an estimated 750,000 people are displaced. WHO estimates 500,000 people were injured. 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 has 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 quickly become infected. Measles inoculation in camps has prevented its spread so far.

 

o      WHO reports no disease outbreaks anywhere in the region. Dr. David Nabarro, Head of the Health Action in Crises Department (HAC) at WHO, now says a major outbreak of disease in tsunami-affected regions is now “very, very unlikely.” Nabarro, who had earlier warned that as many as 50,000 could die from epidemics, says that with the collective efforts of governments, aid agencies and local communities, health systems were now in place to make any major outbreak of disease unlikely. Nabarro warns everyone must remain in a high state of alert to be able to quickly respond to future health emergencies. (Jan-25, AFP, VOA) WHO is conducting helicopter-assisted rapid health assessments along the west coast of Indonesia’s Aceh Province. Large-scale measles vaccination campaigns aimed at 1.16 million children in Indonesia’s Meulaboh and in North Aceh, following sporadic reports of measles. Local health officials vaccinated children against measles in four hardest-hit Thai provinces. WHO recommends malaria treatment and control measures be put in place, as well as a strategic plan to support existing health facilities.

 

o      WHO says disease surveillance is high on everybody's agenda. WHO established an effective disease surveillance system in the vicinity of Banda Aceh; In Thailand, disease surveillance is focused on risks of dengue fever outbreaks following reports of five cases of dengue in mid-January. In Aceh, an assessment of health, water and sanitation in 50 camps began on 24 January. A similar assessment in Jaffna, Sri Lanka confirmed there is work needed for better water quality and hygiene in camps. In Indonesia, close to 55,000 children were vaccinated against measles, and in Thailand, progress is being made in addressing the mental health needs of people in tsunami-affected areas. (Jan-24, WHO)

 

·      Security: Indonesia’s military chief General Endriartono Sutarto says the military had stopped raids on Free Aceh Movement (GAM) rebels in tsunami-ravaged Aceh province. The announcement comes amid European efforts to restart stalled peace talks between the government and the rebels. Helsinki-based Crisis Management Initiative (CMI), headed by former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari, is mediating peace talks expected to be held in Helsinki, Finland this week. Citing unnamed sources, Agence France-Presse (AFP) and Reuters are reporting that Government of Indonesia (GOI) is preparing to send a senior-level team to participate in the peace talks. Justice Minister Hamid Awaluddin and the Security Minister Widodo Ado Sucipto are among the likely delegates to represent the GOI at the talks. Although there has been indirect confirmation of the talks, no details concerning the agenda or the venue have been made officially available. The talks are likely to focus on the delivery of humanitarian aid to all parts of Aceh. Experts are not expecting any major breakthrough in the longstanding positions of the GOI and GAM. (Jan-26, AFP, Reuters)

 

o      UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan says relief workers have had no problems working in Indonesia’s tsunami-ravaged Aceh province, despite simmering tensions between the government and rebels. However, he asked the UN staff to be careful.

 

o      UN activities outside the UN compound in Banda Aceh are under curfew from 2400hrs to 0600hrs. WFP has carried out field security assessments in Meulaboh and Calang, on roads from Banda Aceh-Medan and Singkil-Meulaboh, and has found the situation to be acceptable. A medivac procedure for UN and NGO staff has reached final draft and has been already implemented. A charter medivac plane has been placed in Banda Aceh for evacuation to Singapore. (Jan-26, UNJLC)

 

·      Political-Military: Joel Boutroue, head of United Nations relief efforts in Aceh, says Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) should hand over post-tsunami humanitarian relief operations to civilian authorities at the earliest opportunity. Boutroue said TNI’s work has been essential during the emergency phase of the disaster, adding that it is only normal that operations are gradually handed over to civilian authority. Boutroue also welcomed news of peace talks between the government and separatist GAM rebels, adding it would help to further stabilize the situation in Aceh. (Jan-24, DPA)

 

o      UN head of tsunami coordination, Margareta Walhstrom, says the need for foreign militaries will diminish rapidly in the coming weeks as the UN and other aid organizations organize their own transportation. Admiral Thomas Fargo, the commander of the US Pacific Command, says that effective immediately, the US military will start transferring functions to the appropriate host nations and international organizations. The UN Joint Logistics Center has developed a transportation transition plan emphasizing shipping and trucking. The plan has been approved by the Indonesian government and was coordinated with foreign militaries. Some humanitarians express concern that the militaries will depart too soon.

 

o      Senior Indonesian military officials assure their foreign military counterparts that troops from friendly ASEAN nations can stay in tsunami-ravaged Aceh province as long as necessary to assist tsunami relief efforts—withdrawing an earlier Vice Presidential deadline of 26 March.

 

o      Singapore military has largely left Indonesia transitioning operations to Singaporean NGOs and local authorities

 

o      Initial phase of military operations/deployments has peaked in Sri Lanka. Current military operations are winding down and most foreign militaries are scheduled to cease activities and depart Sri Lanka by early to mid-February. (Jan-26, UNJLC)

 

·      International Assistance: Indonesia may turn down a debt moratorium offer by the international Paris Club group of creditors. Indonesian Economic Minister Aburizal Bakrie reportedly told a local newspaper, Bisnis Indonesia, that money pledged by the Consultative Group on Indonesia (CGI) on January 20, was sufficient to meet its debt obligations and fund reconstruction efforts in tsunami-ravaged Aceh. CGI, an international group of donors, pledged US$1.7 billion to help Indonesia fund the reconstruction of tsunami-stricken Aceh province. Donors also pledged an additional US$3.4 billion to help Indonesia balance its budget and fund other programs, bringing the total aid package to US$5.1 billion. (Jan-25, BBC, AFP)

 

·      International Development & Relief Organizations: International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) says it has raised US$1.16 billion (CHF 1.4 billion) in just 30 days to help victims of Asian tsunami. IFRC says it now has enough funds to plan its response and recovery programs for the next ten years. The federation and its 181 national societies will wind down fundraising for tsunami victims. (Jan-26, IFRC)

 

o      The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says it has received US$300 million and that its funding requirements for tsunami relief were close to being met. UNICEF says apart from already planned fundraising efforts, it will not initiate any new fundraising projects. (Jan-26, UNICEF)

 

o      International development and relief organization Oxfam says many inexperienced aid agencies were working in the disaster zone without the necessary skills and competence, causing difficulties in coordinating aid efforts. Oxfam is calling on the governments in the region to accredit international agencies and ensure their work was suited to their experience. (Jan-26, BBC)

 

 

 

 

 

Indonesia

 

Organization

 

Overview …………………………………………………………page 7

 

Sectors……………………………………………………………page 9

 

Domestic Response……………………………………………page 14

            Government                                                             

            Local Humanitarian Organizations

 

International Response……………………………………….page 15

            Foreign Governments

            United Nations

            International Humanitarian Organizations

Overview: Unidentified Indonesian officials and media reports say that a high-level team was to depart for Finland today for talks with the exiled leadership of separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM) rebels. The delegation is likely to be led by chief Security Minister Widodo Adi Sucipto, Justice Minister Hamid Awaluddin, Information Minister Sofyan Djalil, and former military chief in Aceh, Maj. Gen. Syarifuddin Tippe. There have been some reports saying that Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda would attend, however, some reports say the GOI does not believe the GAM is entitled to diplomatic standing, so Hassan would not attend. Former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari’s office, the Crisis Management Initiative (CMI), is expected to mediate the talks in Helsinki. Meanwhile, in comments to the media today, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said that Indonesia needs a stronger and more modern military to handle major disasters. In other news, British-based aid agency, Oxfam, today warned that the overwhelming response to the disaster has left many inexperienced aid agencies working in the disaster zone without the necessary skills. Oxfam highlighted difficulties in coordination among the many aid agencies. Indonesia’s Health Ministry changed the way it tallies the death toll, saying that it would only count victims who have been buried and that the missing would retain that status for at least a year. Combined total of dead and missing is 220,000.

 

The Consultative Group on Indonesia, made up of some 30 international lenders, pledged US$1.7 billion in tsunami aid for 2005, consisting of US$1.2 billion in grants and US$500 million in soft loans. The aid is on top of some US$3.4 billion donors pledged that will mostly go towards reducing the national deficit. GOI earlier put tsunami/earthquake losses at US$4.5 billion. During the international ministerial tsunami meeting in Geneva on January 11, several countries pledged US$900 million for a six-month period to Indonesia. Economics Minister Aburizal Bakrie said this week that Indonesia may reject an offer from the Paris Club of creditor nations of a freeze in debt repayments because the recently pledged US$1.7 billion may give the country the opportunity to turn down the offer. Indonesia had wanted 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.

 

Banda Aceh vicinity: More than 130 schools have reopened today throughout Aceh province. UNICEF and other aid agencies stress the need for children to return quickly to a normal routine after a disaster. Reuters reports that according to the World Bank, some 45,000 schoolchildren perished in the disaster, and more than 2,300 teachers and administrators were killed. An estimated 700-1,100 schools were destroyed. Welfare Minister Alwi Shihab says that over 500,000 children in Aceh were “affected in some way” while over 100,000 were displaced. Some 180,000 students have no schools to attend. (Jan-26, AP) UNICEF is providing emergency facilities and materials for some 100,000 children in need of temporary schooling at camps. UNICEF says it has recruited some 2,500 new teachers, along with Indonesia’s Ministries of Religious Affairs and National Education. IOM is regularly dispatching truck convoys from Jakarta to north Sumatra, with additional major routes from Medan to Banda Aceh, and, increasingly, Medan to Meulaboh on the west coast. A midnight to 6AM curfew remains in effect. The World Food Program (WFP) is distributing 300 tons of rice a day with most people around Banda Aceh provisioned with one-month of rations. Some semblance of normalcy is returning to the city. Around 380 government officials were imported from Jakarta to get local government affairs restarted; Over 3,000 government officials are reported dead or missing in the province. Hundreds of police and thousands of TNI have been brought in. UN figures at least 100 NGOs in Aceh. (Jan-20, Reuters) Although the road system in north Sumatra is fragile, weather should not add to the burden of increased trucking. With February historically the driest month, the Pacific Disaster Center (PDC) in Hawaii estimates that rainfall in February, March, and April will be below average.

 

West Coast of Aceh Province/Western Islands: Report from multi-agency assessment of west coast reveals that team members found that the tsunami had destroyed virtually every village, town and roads and bridges along a 170-kilometer (105-mile) stretch of coast that was not more than 10 meters (33 feet) above sea level. The Age reports that the devastation reached an average of 3 to 6 kilometers inland. The leader of the team, Rob Holden from WHO, says that a complete lack of sanitation along the coast was the main risk facing some 125,000 displaced people. The team found that one of the problems was that IDPs were gathering in the major towns of Meulaboh and Calang, where increasing numbers increased the chances of a disease outbreak. Aid workers say there is an excess of field hospitals and highly trained foreign staff. The west coast had lost some 50 to 70 percent of its health services. (Jan-24, The Age). A rapid assessment of the western islands off the coast of Sumatra found considerable damage to housing and livelihoods, AusAID/CARE reports. Only seven people reported killed by the disaster. Local knowledge of tsunamis possibly helped avert a higher death toll. (Jan-24, Aus AID) Simeulue Island, off the west coast and closest to the epicenter, has about 22,000 IDPs. The west coast of Aceh had a population of about one million in its six regencies, with about 500,000 in the heavily damaged northern three and 500,000 in the southern three. The largest west coast death toll is in Meulaboh, near the southern end of the most-devastated west coast, where nearly 30,000 died. WFP reports survivors are often found 5 to 10 kilometers inland. Pilots report thousands of displaced, who were hiding in the hills, are now streaming down and setting up temporary camps. ICRC reports small pockets of communities yet to be reached by international assistance. WFP says helicopters are the only way to reach these isolated communities. WHO reports that NGOs running mobile clinics and visiting camps unable to provide adequate coverage.

 

 

Domestic Response

 

Local Government

 

·       The GOI said today in its first official disclosure of tsunami funds, that it has spent US$12.6 million of the US$100 million it has received from domestic donors. Welfare Minister Alwi Shihab says the funds were deposited in a single account being managed by the welfare, finance, and state planning ministries. Shihab says figures from foreign donors has not been calculated yet, but would be announced in a few days. GOI is seeking to allay fears from donors about graft. (Jan-26, AP) Shihab has said that the GOI will set up a number of supervisory bodies to monitor various reconstruction projects in Aceh. A blueprint for reconstruction is currently being drafted by the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas). (Jan-23, Jakarta Post)

 

·       As of Saturday (January 22), 54 out of 241 subdistrict administrations were still not functioning as well as 647 out of 5,958 village administrations. (Jan-23, Jakarta Post)

 

·       In Jakarta, the GOI established the joint Disaster Management Centre (DMC) with the United Nations, which will prioritize the management and coordination of relief efforts.

 

·       The GOI has a three-phase plan: Emergency measures through January 2005 followed by rehabilitation through February 2006 and reconstruction, also through February 2006.

 

·       Indonesian President Yudhoyono ordered the reorganization of the National Coordinating Agency for Disaster Relief and Refugees (Bakornas PBP) led by Vice President Jusuf Kalla (Jan-17, Xinhua). MEKOKESRA will handle international assistance. (Dec-30, US Consulate Medan)

 

• Influx of international aid prompted fears by local corruption watchdog groups. Information Minister Sofyan Djalil says the GOI will set up a “credible” oversight scheme. (Jan-17, Reuters) GOI retained the American accounting firm of Ernst &Young to audit foreign aid. (Jan-14, IHT) Welfare Minister Shihab says the government would make official announcements of the amount of aid received and spent from donors on a monthly basis. (Jan-23, Jakarta Post)

 

·       TNI is sending thousands more troops into Aceh to help with the relief effort, bringing the total to 50,000. 38,000 troops were already in Aceh for military operations against the GAM. Troops will focus on humanitarian operations. TNI said 517 soldiers were killed in the tsunami.

 

·       Indonesian police deployed around 800 officers to Aceh Province to fill the posts of 450 killed in the disaster.

 

Local Organizations

 

• Dozens of people from the Group of Acehnese Concerned for Aceh rallied outside the UN building in Jakarta to urge the government to revise its March 26 deadline for the withdrawal of foreign troops. (Jan-26, Laksamana)

 

• The Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) sent over 800 trained volunteers to Aceh. PMI has disaster response team in Meulaboh. The Red Cross reported that it may take another two months for the recovery of bodies in Aceh. (Jan-25, AFP)

• Indonesian Midwives Association says 30 percent of its 1,650 members in Aceh died in the disaster. (Jan-21, AP)

 

International Response

 

Foreign Governments

 

·       Afghanistan’s medical team began work in Banda Aceh on Monday (January 24).

 

·       Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) assessed the offshore island of Simuelue. 900 Australian Defence Force personnel are in Indonesia. Australia is operating out of its old Butterworth airfield near Penang Island in Malaysia.

 

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

 

·       China says it will offer assembled mobile buildings to Indonesia for temporary schools and houses. A team of reconstruction experts will leave for Indonesia soon. (Jan-20, Xinhua)

 

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

 

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

 

• 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, is offshore Banda Aceh.

 

·       Iran has given some US$1.5 million dollars and will send some 5,000 tons of dates to Aceh. (Jan-26, AFP)

 

·       Japanese troops unloaded first shipment of relief materials. (Jan-26, AFP) The Japanese embassy says ships carrying some 950 Self Defense Force (SDF) members arrived off of Aceh. At least five helicopters being deployed for airlifts. (Jan-24, AFP)

 

• Malaysia, according to news reports over the weekend, said that it would not extend a Jan. 31 amnesty deadline for illegal migrants. However, some illegals from tsunami-hit Aceh may be allowed to stay longer. Indonesians from other areas would have to leave by the deadline. (Jan-26, AP) Malaysia has started to withdraw its personnel and equipment. (Jan-25, Jakarta Post) Malaysia is setting up a relief center and a 50-bed hospital. Malaysia also plans to set up a relief center that can shelter at least 10,000 displaced. The UN is using Subang airport, located outside Kuala Lumpur, while Australia is using Butterworth in the northern part of peninsula Malaysia.

 

·       New Zealand has 3 Defense Force medical teams in Banda Aceh, 1 C-130 Hercules cargo plane and crew, and some 30 medical staff in Indonesia.

 

·       Pakistan sent 87 army engineers and paramedics. Personnel are setting up a field hospital.

 

·       Philippines sending medical team to Indonesia. (Jan-13, AFP)

 

·       Russian medical unit arrived on Jan. 11 and set up a mobile hospital in Banda Aceh. (Jan-14, AP)

 

·       Replacing the Singaporean military are staff from the Singapore Red Cross, Mercy Relief, Touch Community Services, the National Volunteer Philanthropy Centre and YMCA.

 

·       US military officials say that USS Abraham Lincoln carrier is preparing to sail home to Everett, Washington. (Jan-26, AP) Navy hospital ship, the USNS Mercy, headed for Indian Ocean region. (Jan-26, US State Dept.) Navy and Marine helicopters have delivered some 3.5 million pounds of aid supplies since Jan 1, or about 75 tons a day. (Jan-21, AP) US military helicopters have flown more than 1,200 trips. US airlift operations continue to be flown out of Utapao base in Thailand. A US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) team under WHO will support the Indonesian Ministry of Health in conducting health facilities assessment.

 

United Nations

 

·       UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) taking lead in water and sanitation, education and child protection. UNICEF established an office in Aceh and a logistical team in Medan. (Jan-18, UNICEF)

 

·       UN Development Programme (UNDP) provides 17 pieces of heavy equipment and 60 staff. (Jan-21, UNNC) UNDP will expand local hire program to 3,000.

 

• United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) says damage in Aceh and North Sumatra are 25,000 hectares (ha) (61,800 acres) of mangroves (US$118.2 million), 32,000 ha (74,130 acres) of coral reefs (US$332.4 million) and 120 ha of seagrass beds (US$2.3 million). Coastal forests and a 200-mile (300 kilometer) stretch of coastal lands were also damaged or lost. Rivers and rural wells will also need to be rehabilitated. (Jan-21, UNCC, AP)

 

• UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) focuses on reviving the fishing industry.

 

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

 

·       UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is now operational in Meulaboh, Calang and Lamno. Agency says it will partner with CARE and MSF on distribution in Meulaboh and Banda Aceh vicinity. (Jan-25, UNHCR) UNHCR is using three Swiss helicopters that will operate from Medan-Meulaboh, Medan-Banda Aceh and Banda Aceh–Meulaboh. (Jan-14, Reuters)

 

·       UN Population Fund (UNFPA) delivered over 600 reproductive health kits. Agency estimates 15,000 pregnant women among the survivors and more than 800 are due to give birth within a month. UNFPA plans to distribute 20 tons of hygiene and prenatal care products. (Jan-21, UNNC, AP)

 

·       World Bank will provide US$300 million in initial financial support for Indonesia. (Jan-14, AlertNet)

 

• World Food Program (WFP) has 4 offices in Aceh and North Sumatra provinces; WFP’s Humanitarian Air Hub operates out of Subang airport in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

 

·       World Health Organization (WHO) organizing international health groups in Aceh to provide medical care and disease surveillance system. WHO says it plans to work in Aceh for a year or so, until the health infrastructure has significantly improved. (Jan-25, Xinhua)

 

International Humanitarian Relief Organizations

 

·       Asian Development Bank (ADB) allocates US$800 million for Indonesia, in addition to tsunami relief.

 

·       CARE sending boat full of supplies to Kuedetenom on the west coast. CARE will also work to reconstruct schools and continue to offer psychosocial support to children affected by the disaster. (Jan-26, CARE)

 

·       Concern has a team of 20 workers in Banda Aceh. Concern will focus on cleaning schools and clinics, and providing sanitation facilities at 5 camps. (Jan-26, Concern)

 

·       The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) operates a100-bed field hospital opened in Banda Aceh. ICRC says it has enough supplies for 300,000 people.

 

·       On Saturday (January 22), the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) ICRC, and PMI leadership in Jakarta met to discuss plans as emergency response moves into relief and rehabilitation. IFRC, ICRC, PMI still involved in various relief activities. (Jan-25, IFRC) A Field Assessment and Coordination Teams (FACT) terminated its assignment on January 15, and a revised operational structure is being finalized.

 

·       International Medical Corps (IMC) is expanding operations from Banda Aceh to further inland and along the west coast to remote areas. Along with staffing emergency room at Banda Aceh’s Zainal Abidin Hospital, IMC is operating mobile clinics in remote areas along the coast. IMC providing training to local health workers and involved in the establishment of preventive health care programs. At the request of the GOI, IMC will take a lead role in providing psychosocial care. (Jan-25, IMC)

 

·       The International Organization for Migration (IOM) coordinates major truck convoys in Sumatra. IOM reports road convoys have moved 4,500 MT of relief supplies into Banda Aceh and 600 MT into Meulaboh, since December 30.

 

• Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) is working in Banda Aceh, Meulaboh, Medan, Lamno and Lampe-Ngo assisting roughly 100,000 people. (Jan-12, MSF). MSF sent more than 60 international staff and 120 tons of relief to Indonesia.

 

• Mercy Corps (MC) has over 50 staff in Banda Aceh vicinity and an office in Meulaboh.

 

• Oxfam today (Jan-26) released a report, “Learning the lessons of the tsunami: one month on,” which praised the international response but also raised issues of problems with coordination and ill-prepared, inexperienced aid agencies. (Jan-26, BBC) Oxfam has an operational base in Banda Aceh, a logistics base in Medan, and a program base in Meulaboh. (Jan-19, Oxfam). Oxfam is working water and sanitation issues in Banda Aceh, Aceh Besar Province, and Meulaboh.

 

·       Save the Children providing school supplies for some 50,000 children. (Jan-25, Reuters)

 

• World Vision International (WVI) sent 125 tons of relief aid from the US and Canada; World Vision Indonesia started distribution in early January. WVI has staff of 30 in Banda Aceh.

 

• Tzu Chi putting up 1,500 tents in Meulaboh and 1,500 in Banda Aceh - will build 3,000 permanent houses later. Tzu Chi also providing food, water purification equipment, and non-food items.

 

 

 

Sri Lanka

 

 

Overview. …………………………………………………page 20

 

Sectors…………………………………………………….page 21

 

Domestic Response…………………………………….page 23

            Government

            Local Humanitarian Organizations

 

International Response…………………………………page 23

            Foreign Governments

            United Nations

            International Humanitarian Organizations

Overview: The death toll from the December 26 tsunami is in the 30,000s. The Center for National Operations (CNO) reports 30,957, while the Public Security Ministry reports 38,195. The discrepancy could result from the use of different methods of counting and sources of figures. The CNO uses figures provided by government agents, while the Public Security Ministry uses figures provided by the police. The Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) is using a final toll of around 40,000 for planning purposes in its recovery plan. About 5,600 are still missing from the14 tsunami-affected districts (out of Sri Lanka’s 25 districts). The number of displaced, at about 502,456; this number rose from yesterday (January 25) due to the first report from the district of Galle of 123,247 displaced persons. Galle had previously not reported any data. The number of 502,456 will rise again when the Ampara district reports its data. About 169,071 people are in “welfare centers” and about 333,385 are with relatives or friends. The number of camps is around 325. Emergency coordinators believe aid is reaching all survivors.

 

The GoSL vehemently denied LTTE accusations that it is using international aid for tsunami relief to purchase arms for its military. LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran raised the issue when he met with Norwegian Foreign Minister Jan Petersen and peace envoy Erik Solheim on Saturday (January 22). LTTE chief negotiator Anton Balasingham pointed out that the GoSL is in the process of purchasing US$150 million in arms from Iran. However, a defense ministry spokesman denied that aid moneys were used and pointed out that talks with Iran had been ongoing for some time.

 

Norway’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Vidar Helgesen, and LTTE political chief, S.P. Thamilsevan, met Monday (January 24) to discuss how the two parties can cooperate to ensure relief aid is distributed in all parts of the country. The LTTE have expressed willingness to join a common program with the GoSL for providing relief to the victims of the tsunami disaster in the North-East. LTTE has specified that discussions are to be confined to humanitarian work and no political issues will be taken up. GoSL has agreed to work toward a joint mechanism with the LTTE on post-tsunami relief operations in the North-East. GoSL President, Chandrika Kumaratunga, has invited the LTTE to participate in humanitarian endeavors. GoSL Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar reported Wednesday (Janurary 26) that no agreement had been reached and no response had been received from the LTTE.

 

In related news, international donors and watchdog agencies have voiced concerns about a perceived lack of transparency in the GoSL’s approach to aid distribution and reconstruction, which increases the risk of corruption and mismanagement.

 

GoSL Wednesday (January 26) ruled out LTTE receiving direct foreign aid. GoSL maintains all external help must go through Colombo. Sri Lanka’s leading aid donors, the EU, Japan, Norway, and the US, appealed to the GoSL and the LTTE to forge a united front in their response to the disaster.

 

UNICEF reports LTTE recruiting child soldiers since December’s tsunami.

 

Sector Status
Affected Population	About 502,456