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Indian Ocean Earthquake & Tsunami Emergency Update

 

February 16, 2005

 

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

 

 

Table of Contents:

 

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

Indonesia.....................................page 7-20

Sri Lanka......................................page 21-28

Thailand.......................................page 29-36

Overview

 

·      Search and rescue operations for the December 26 tsunami 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 some 295,000 people along the coastal areas of 11 countries in the Indian Ocean.

 

·      Tsunami-related deaths were recorded 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 climbed to more than 235,000, with tens of thousands still unaccounted for. The death toll in Sri Lanka climbed to 30,000 and is expected to go higher. In India, at least 10,672 died in Tamil Nadu State and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The death toll on Thailand’s west coast climbed to 5,400, including some 1,765 foreigners from at least 36 countries. More than 400 combined deaths have been reported in the other countries.

 

·      Preliminary costs are: Indonesia – US$4.5 billion, Sri Lanka - US$3.5 billion, India - US$2 billion, Thailand - US$235 million and Maldives - US$1.3 billion. The world’s largest reinsurer, Munich Re, estimates the total cost of the disaster will exceed US$13.6 billion. Today (Wednesday, February 16), UN Assistant Secretary General Hafiz Pasha said rebuilding the affected areas would cost some US$10-12 billion dollars over the next three to five years or up to 10 times the amount spent on emergency aid. Pasha says the UN has received some US$925 million of the US$977 million that it had requested. (Feb-16, AFP) In the four worst-affected countries, namely Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and Thailand, the economic impact is expected to be manageable. 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. According to a joint assessment carried out by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and the World Bank (WB), reconstruction cost for areas affected by the disaster is likely to exceed well over the preliminary estimates of US$7 billion. World Bank estimates cost of damage to Indonesia at more than US$5 billion, Sri Lanka around US$1 billion or some 4.4 percent of the country’s GDP and as much as US$510 million for the Maldives, accounting for some 50-80 percent of its GDP. (Feb-3, AFP, Reuters, WB)

 

·      Coordination: The United States and a number of other militaries and agencies were 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), was comprised of liaison officers from Australia, UK, Japan, Thailand and Singapore, and a Civil-Military Coordination Cell. USAID DART representatives were present, as was the UNOCHA coordinator in Thailand. Additionally, the US and others used the base for transshipment of relief supplies.

 

o      Combined Support Force (CSF 536) subordinate for Thailand, Combined Support Group-Thailand (CSG-T), was stood down on January 22. The Sri Lanka subordinate, CSG-Sri Lanka (CSG-SL), will be phased out by February 15. On February 10, CSG-Indonesia (CSG-I) has been disestablished. CSG-I continues to coordinate with CSF 536 for redeployment of forces. On February 12, the overall Combined Support Force-536 (CSF-536) headquarters (the U.S. tsunami task force) at the Royal Thai Naval Air Base in Utapao, Thailand, was disestablished. (Feb-10, CSF536)

 

·       Logistics: The overall flow of humanitarian relief is smooth. In Sri Lanka, transport capacity to move relief supplies is good and improving, as are distribution mechanisms. In Indonesia the distribution of aid continues uninterrupted with some delays on particular routes and bottlenecks at some air and sea ports. UNOCHA says although relief items continue to reach all populations in Indonesia’s Aceh, the targeted assistance is proving to be challenging due to frequent movements of displaced populations between spontaneous sites, host communities and their places of origin. Indonesian military (TNI) control of Banda Aceh and Medan airports and control of humanitarian and military access have been challenges. UNJLC has teams in Banda Aceh, Medan, Jakarta, and Colombo as well as liaison officers to work with the US military. Roads are open to Meulaboh on the west coast of Aceh, but the road south from Banda Aceh to Meulaboh remains impassable, although TNI has begun repairs on various sections. In Sri Lanka, road transportation (trucks) appears to be in short supply in Trincomalee. However, sufficient trucking capacity is available in Galle, due to its close proximity to the capital Colombo. A comprehensive logistics assessment by UNJLC in the three Sri Lankan districts of Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu and Jaffna did not reveal a shortage of transport. (Feb-11. OCHA)

 

o      UN is transitioning its air logistics needs from almost total reliance on military aircraft to almost total self-reliance on chartered aircraft, under direct tasking of the UNHAS. Military aircraft are gradually being phased out, subject to operational requirements under UNHAS civilian operations. UNJLC is also working with GoI for greater IO/UN vehicular access to remote areas affected by the tsunami disaster. UNJLC has a detailed list of civilian/commercial transportation assets available on its website www.unjlc.org (Feb-3, UNJLC)

 

o      The UNJLC is using Malaysia’s Subang Airport as its regional Humanitarian Air Hub (SHAH). 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. UNJLC is expected to soon decide whether the hub should be kept longer.

 

o      UNHAS does not anticipate an increase in helicopter capacity. It plans to reduce air assets in the absence of additional requests over the next 2-3 weeks. More goods are now being transported via roads and sea. (Feb-4, UNJLC)

 

o      UNJLC civil engineers are currently assessing roads and seaports for serviceability and reliability keeping in mind the seasonal changes (next three months) in sea conditions along the western coast of Sumatra, as well as the questionable sustainability of some road routes. UNJLC thinks it is prudent to retain some excess air capacity in Medan, Meulaboh and Banda Aceh, should circumstances dictate a ramping up of air support. (Feb-9, UNJLC)

 

o      Significant decrease in the movement of humanitarian relief supplies has been observed by UNJLC, IOM and UNHAS. (Feb-4, UNJLC)

 

o      United Nations High Commissioner for refugees (UNHCR) says three Swiss Super Puma helicopters put at its disposal by the Swiss Government would wind up their mission by the end of this month. UNHCR says as relief efforts enter from the emergency phase to the rehabilitation phase, it expects to use road transport and boats to move heavier relief supplies. (Feb-11, UNHCR)

 

·      Food: Jan Egeland, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, estimates 2 million people are in need of food aid. WFP is currently assisting 1,100,000 people. For February, WFP estimates it will feed 850,000 in Sri Lanka—up from 750,000 in January and 500,000 to 800,000 in Indonesia—up from 340,000. In Indonesia, UNJLC plans to be able to move food and other items for 750,000. UN’s World Food Program (WFP) has already delivered some 10,000 metric tons of food. WFP has received US$81.9 million or one-third of its US$256 million emergency appeal. FAO says overall food availability in the region is adequate to cover needs. The agency is working to rehabilitate fisheries and agriculture.

 

o      WFP expects the number of relief recipients to reach 528,000 by the end of this month (February). WFP estimates the number of aid recipients to climb to 790,000 over the next six months, as GoI completes its IDP registration process. (Feb-9, UNJLC)

 

·      Health/Medical: World Health Organization (WHO) officials estimate up to five million people displaced and at risk, with 750,000 estimated as displaced in Indonesia. WHO estimates 500,000 people were injured. There are scattered reports of diarrhea, malaria, dengue, measles, pneumonia and skin infections, but no disease outbreaks. WHO priorities are prevention of diarrhoeal diseases, particularly cholera and typhoid. WHO seeks US$76 million for the next six months to combat mosquito-borne diseases like malaria and dengue fever, which are endemic across South Asian countries, except the Maldives. (Jan-27, UNNC)

 

o      WHO reports no disease outbreaks in the region. However, Jan Egeland, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs warns there is no room for complacency. Government of Indonesia (GoI) is leading a Nutrition Surveillance Task Force in cooperation with international NGO partners and UN agencies. The task force will be established in Banda Aceh and training of enumerators is expected to start by mid-February. Ministry of Health and provincial health department in Aceh are GoI’s lead agencies to oversee the task force (Feb-4, OCHA)

 

o      International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) says sanitation a concern in Indonesia and Sri Lanka with latrine construction hampered by high ground water levels. (Feb-1, IFRC). Provision of water and sanitation for relocated families is becoming a major problem in all tsunami-affected districts in Sri Lanka. The unplanned and uncoordinated movement of people is making the provision of these services challenging. (Feb-9, UNJLC)

 

o      WHO estimates some 40,000 pregnant women in tsunami-affected regions across the Indian Ocean were left homeless. WHO says it is concerned over the lack of midwives on hand in IDP camps, adding that lack of qualified childbirth personnel could lead to hemorrhaging and asphyxiation. WHO says timely access to health facilities and services for mothers and babies, particularly in Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives, must be a top priority. (Feb-14, UNNC)

 

·      Security: Laksamana.net reported that the Indonesian government and separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM) rebels will resume a second round of talks next week (February 21) in Koningstedt, outside of Helsinki, Finland. Former Finish president Martti Ahtisaari says that the GoI and representatives of the GAM confirmed that their participation is being facilitated by Ahtisaari’s Crisis Management Initiative organization. (Feb-16, Laksamana) The first round of talks, mediated by former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari, ended in the Finnish capital Helsinki without a clear resolution. Despite a unilateral ceasefire announced by the GAM rebels in the immediate aftermath of the tsunami disaster on December 26, TNI has killed more than 200 rebels in the area. (Feb-5, AFP)

 

o      UN is considering relocating its relief headquarters in Indonesia’s tsunami-stricken Aceh province due to security reasons. Joel Boutroue, UN deputy humanitarian coordinator stressed that decision was not based on any direct threats against UN interests, but was an effort to relocate the staff to a new compound that was structurally more secure. (Feb-8, AP) UN activities outside the UN compound in Banda Aceh are under curfew from midnight to 6 AM. WFP security assessments in Meulaboh and Calang and on roads from Banda Aceh-Medan and Singkil-Meulaboh find the situation acceptable. TNI requirements for military escorts for humanitarian aid missions beyond Medan remain in place. (Jan-31, UNJLC)

 

o      US-based human rights group, Human Rights Watch (HRW), says the killings of a senior leader of Sri Lanka’s Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) rebel group and five of his associates earlier this month (February 7), underscores the fragile nature of a ceasefire between the government and the rebels. Brad Adams, HRW’s director for Asia says The Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission should urgently investigate these killings and strengthen its human rights-monitoring capability warning that failure to do so could affect its credibility and endanger its public trust. Earlier, HRW and Human Rights First also expressed concern over relocation camps in Indonesia’s tsunami-stricken Aceh and the Indonesian military’s potential role in the relocation process. (Feb-11, HRW)

 

·      Political-Military:

 

o      Foreign military aid operations are winding down and most foreign militaries are scheduled to depart Sri Lanka by early to mid-February. Australia, Britain, and Russia are expected to begin withdrawing their troops from tsunami-affected areas in Indonesia’s Aceh. US military is ending its tsunami relief efforts in Sri Lanka and Maldives, and moving its support into civilian-driven reconstruction programs with virtually all US military presence gone by March. Some 950 troops from Japan’s Self Defense Forces (SDF) will reportedly end their major relief operation in tsunami-affected Indonesia by the end of next month (March). Some 360 German troops are also expected to leave Indonesia’s Aceh next month. (Feb-12, JP)

 

o      UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan is urging sanctions against Sri Lanka’s Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) rebels and 40 other groups accused of using children in war. In his latest report on “Children and Armed Conflict” to the UN Security Council, to be debated on February 23, Annan is urging sanctions against rebel groups and some governments in nearly a dozen countries, including Sri Lanka, that have been using children as soldiers. The proposed sanctions include arms embargoes, economic, as well as travel embargoes against the offending parties. (Feb-10, AFP, BBC)

 

o      The Jakarta Post reports that some 3,281 families, or more than 11,500 people, were moved into more than 300 temporary barracks in Banda Aceh, Aceh Besar, Sigli, North Aceh, Aceh Jaya and West Aceh. (Feb.16, AP) The Government of Indonesia (GoI) will move the first of tens of thousands of tsunami survivors now living in tents to temporary wooden barracks, where they will be housed for up to two years. GoI plans to relocate survivors to temporary centers that are equipped with better water, sanitation and kitchen facilities. The UN has welcomed the government’s plan, which would make it easier for the relief agencies to assess the needs of IDPs. (Feb-14, JP, Reuters)

 

o      Malaysia has given illegal migrant workers until March 1 to leave the country. As many as some 400,000 illegal migrants, mostly Indonesians, are believed to be in Malaysia. Malaysia, which had initially set a deadline of November 14, 2004, later extended it through December 31. However, following the tsunami on December 26 that ravaged Indonesia’s Aceh province, Malaysian authorities deferred the deadline for a second time on humanitarian grounds. (Feb-14, Reuters)

 

·      International Assistance: UNOCHA estimates over US$5.3 billion pledged as grant aid for tsunami-affected nations. The multinational development banks, namely the World Bank (WB), Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), are also providing US$412 million, US$675 million and US$500 million respectively.

 

o      In Brussels, development ministers of the European Union (EU) said they have decided to redirect aid efforts to reconstruction. The EU has earmarked some US$420 million in emergency aid and promised another US$455 million in reconstruction aid. The EU says affected countries would have a larger degree of control over spending but would have to pass anti-corruption tests. (Feb. 16, AP)

 

o      US President George W Bush is seeking to boost US contribution to support the rehabilitation and reconstruction of areas devastated by the tsunami to US$950 million. The additional US$600 million would include US$346 million to cover the costs of the US government’s relief efforts to date. Once approved by the Congress, the new contribution would place the US at the top of the tsunami donor’s list. (Feb-9, US GOV, VOA)

 

o      ADB President Haruhiko Kuroda says the bank will host a high-level meeting on March 18 at its headquarters in Manila (Philippines) aimed at coordinating assistance to tsunami-affected countries. Kuroda said the ADB had US$600 million in readily available funding and another US$175 million in reprogrammed funding for tsunami efforts in Indonesia, Maldives, Sri Lanka and India. (Feb-8, ADB, JP)

 

·       International Development & Relief Organizations: International development and relief organization Oxfam, like MSF, IFRC, and UNICEF, received all the funding it needed for tsunami relief and ended its fund drive. (Jan-28, Oxfam)

 

Indonesia

 

Organization

 

Overview …………………………………………………………page 8

 

Sectors……………………………………………………………page 10

 

Domestic Response……………………………………………page 16

            Government                                                            

            Local Humanitarian Organizations

 

International Response……………………………………….page 17

            Foreign Governments

            United Nations

            International Humanitarian Organizations

Overview: The Jakarta Post reports that some 3,281 families, or more than 11,500 people, were moved into more than 300 temporary barracks in Banda Aceh, Aceh Besar, Sigli, North Aceh, Aceh Jaya and West Aceh. So far, about 300 of 803 planned barracks have been made. The Government of Indonesia (GoI) said earlier this week that it was ready to begin a mass relocation of up to 150,000 people displaced by the tsunami, but promised that it would not force anyone to move. GoI is building some 803 semi-permanent barracks to accommodate the displaced for up to two years. Pri said earlier that the relocations would continue until March 15. He said that the 803 units can accommodate some 9,703 families. The GoI stressed the movement is voluntary, but added that those staying in government or other public buildings could not remain. The UN and the GoI have expressed that they hope the survivors would return to their old homes to rebuild, however the GoI has said it would not let people rebuild close to the shoreline again. There are a total of some 425,000 IDPs. Indonesian officials expect about a third of the IDPs to move into temporary housing, while the rest will likely stay with relatives. An estimated 260,000 IDPs are already staying with extended families. Human rights groups, including Human Rights Watch and Human Rights First have expressed concerns that some Acehnese might be forcibly relocated or prevented from returning home. The groups also expressed concerns over the involvement of the military (TNI) in the relocation. (Feb-8, Reuters) Survivors have also expressed concerns.

 

Laksamana.net reported that the GoI and separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM) rebels will resume a second round of talks next week (February 21) in Koningstedt, outside of Helsinki, Finland. Former Finish president Martti Ahtisaari says that the GoI and representatives of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) confirmed their participation is being facilitated by Ahtisaari’s Crisis Management Initiative organization. The first round of talks was held on January 27-29, but no breakthroughs were reached. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono yesterday (Tuesday, February 15) expressed hope that the talks would convince the GAM to accept an autonomy offer. “I consider the talks can be continued if we have a concrete agenda, an agenda that will still focus on the acceptance of special autonomy and other things related to that concept. And I was informed that the agenda on the next meeting is around on that special autonomy solution,” he said. However, the GAM has rejected autonomy offers in the past and said it would only settle on independence.

 

GoI officials said that they would rebuild traditional markets destroyed by the tsunami in an effort to revive the economy. The Trade Ministry says it will rebuild some 293 markets, which would include 18 central market areas and 19 storage facilities across Aceh and North Sumatra provinces. Costs are estimated at some US$25.5 million.

 

According to Welfare Minister Alwi Shihab late last week, more foreign troops are expected to be withdrawn from Indonesia sometime this week. British troops prepared to withdraw its small contingent of some 36 British pilots and other personnel assisting with relief operations in Aceh on Sunday (February 13). A Royal Navy ship, the HMS Scott, is off the coast of Sumatra, where a team of British scientists and Indonesian naval officers are conducting a survey of the ocean floor. Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, David Ritchie, said that the some 1,046 Australian troops in Aceh would begin pulling out. Additionally, the Russian military is expected to withdraw from Aceh on February 18, Shihab said, while the Japanese and German militaries are expected to withdraw sometime in March.

 

Indonesia’s National Disaster Relief Coordination Agency (Bakornas) said that the number of confirmed dead and buried had increased by 375 to 120,182, while the missing remained at 114,904. AFP reported that the Indonesian Health Ministry said on Sunday (February 13) that it had stopped issuing death tolls and had begun to direct all inquiries to Bakornas as part of a move to end confusion over different statistics being issued by different government agencies. The Associated Press reported that most of the missing are feared dead, but cannot be legally declared so for a year. Officials also say that the figure might mistakenly include people who have fled the area.

 

GOI put tsunami/earthquake losses at US$4.5 billion. The Consultative Group on Indonesia, made up of 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 in addition to US$3.4 billion donors pledged that will mostly go towards reducing the national deficit. During the international ministerial tsunami meeting in Geneva on January 11, several countries pledged US$900 million for a six-month period to Indonesia. Welfare Minister Alwi Shihab this week said that it was important that the international community keep tabs on donor money pledged to tsunami victims in Aceh province to ensure that rampant corruption does not eat away at pledges. The GoI has so far announced a series of checks and balances to assuage fears of graft.

 

Banda Aceh vicinity: The UN Development Program (UNDP) says that it has started a recycling project in Banda Aceh aimed at hiring scavengers to sift through debris. Tim Walsh of the UNDP says that he estimates the amount of rubbish in the city is equivalent to what a city the size of Banda Aceh would produce in 20 years. (Feb-16, AP) The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Ministry of Agriculture, Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministry, did an aerial survey of tsunami-affected areas along the east and west coast. Along the eastern side, the team flew from Medan to Banda Aceh. Lhokseumawe was identified as the start of the affected areas. On average, about 1 km (.62 mile) inland was affected along the Eastern coast. The survey revealed that a lot of brackish water aquaculture was damaged, and paddy fields have been covered with saline water. Fishing boats were destroyed along with the port. (Feb-14, FAO) Malaysian town planners, engineers, architects and surveyors arrived in Banda Aceh to help with master plan for rebuilding Banda Aceh. (Feb-8, AFP) Government is aiming to remove all bodies and complete the clean up of the provincial capital by the end of February. Some semblance of normalcy is returning to the city. Fifty percent of electrical power in Banda Aceh and 30 percent in Meulaboh have been restored. (Feb-1, UNOCHA) The National Coordination Board for Natural Disaster Management (BAKORNAS) reports the rehabilitation of the telephone system in Banda Aceh. Around 380 government officials were imported from Jakarta to get local government affairs restarted. Hundreds of police and thousands of TNI have been brought in.

 

West Coast of Aceh Province/Western Islands: UNJLC reports that the emergency relief operation has stabilized in most areas and is beginning to move from air delivery to sea and land delivery for areas along the west coast. (Feb.16, UJNLC) The FAO, the Ministry of Agriculture, Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministry did an aerial survey of tsunami-affected areas. The aerial survey showed that the western coast had been seriously damaged and would take a long time for recovery. Some strips of agriculture land have disappeared and paddy fields are covered in mud, while their boundaries no longer exist. Irrigation and drainage facilities were also damaged. The survey length was some 280 km (174 miles) up to Kuala Tripa in Nagan Raya district. FAO concluded that some lands are no longer usable for agriculture; some lands no longer have owners; and boundaries of field properties have disappeared. (Feb-14, FAO) 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. A January UN, GOI and US military report says the tsunami 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. An assessment of the western islands off the coast of Sumatra found considerable damage to housing and livelihoods. However, fewer deaths than along the west coast. Simeulue Island, off the west coast and closest to the epicenter, has about 18,000 IDPs.

 

 

Domestic Response

 

Local Government

 

·       The TNI says that it will deploy some 6,000 troops in Aceh to open up transportation routes and distribute assistance to isolated areas under the program, “TNI Building Villages.” (Feb-4, Tempointeractive) Total of TNI troops is around 50,000; 38,000 troops were already in Aceh for military operations against the GAM. TNI said 517 soldiers were killed in the tsunami.

 

·       GOI intends to create 50,000 jobs with manpower-intensive projects in 100 locations. (Feb-02, Terrawire)

 

• Information Minister Sofyan Djalil says the GOI will set up a “credible” oversight scheme for international aid. (Jan-17, Reuters) American accounting firm of Ernst &Young to audit foreign aid. (Jan-14, IHT) Welfare Minister Shihab says the government would make official monthly announcements of the amount of aid received and spent. (Jan-23, Jakarta Post)

 

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

 

Local Organizations

 

• The Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) sent over 800 trained volunteers to Aceh. PMI has disaster response team in Meulaboh. PMI is sending two five-ton trucks with relief items to Meulaboh. (Jan-29, Reuters)

• Indonesian Midwives Association says 30 percent of its 1,650 members in Aceh died in the disaster. (Jan-21, AP) UNOCHA reports that the Ministry of Health has sent some 300 midwives to Banda Aceh to provide support. (Feb-1, UNOCHA)

 

International Response

 

Foreign Governments

 

·       Australia will soon withdraw its 1,046 troops from Aceh. (Feb-11, Jakarta Post) Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) and the Australian military with 900 troops are assisting. The military is providing helicopters and transportation aircraft, a field hospital, and water purification. Australia is operating out of its old Butterworth airfield near Penang Island in Malaysia.

 

·       Britain’s Army Air Corps flew more than 200 helicopter missions, and delivered some 244,000 pounds (122 tons) of food, while the Royal Air Force made 11 deliveries, carrying as much as 177,000 pounds (88.5 tons) of relief supplies per flight. (Feb-11, AP)

 

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

 

• France’s Defense Ministry says the helicopter carrier Jeanne d’Arc will end its relief operations in mid-February and will be replaced by the La Marne, a command and supply ship. (Jan-27, AFP) France also sent the frigate George Leygues to provide medical aid. (Jan 2, AFP) French construction company Lafarge SA, the world’s largest cement supplier, says it plans to invest “tens of millions of dollars” to rebuild a cement factory in Aceh. (Jan-31, AP)

 

·       German team established a medical center at the Zainal Abidin Hospital. German supply/hospital ship Berlin, which also has a field hospital, is offshore. Germany has deployed 30 doctors and 120 supporting army soldiers in Aceh. (Feb-10, Jakarta Post) The some 360 German troops are expected to leave next month. (Feb-11, AFP)

 

·       Kyodo News and Jiji Press reported that the 950 Japanese troops in the province would be withdrawn in late March. (Feb-8, AFP) A Japanese destroyer, amphibious ship, and a supply vessel with some 970 Self Defense Force (SDF) members are anchored off the coast for the relief effort. (Jan-26, AP)

 

·       Malaysia, with perhaps 800,000 illegal workers, many from Indonesia, said it would end its amnesty and start arresting illegal workers from March 1. (Feb-14, AP) Malaysia has set up relief centers and a 50-bed hospital, has started to withdraw its personnel and equipment. (Jan-25, Jakarta Post) The UN is using Subang airport, located outside Kuala Lumpur, while Australia is using Butterworth in the northern part of peninsula Malaysia.

 

·       The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) said it would provide some 565 meters of bridge equipment to Aceh for reconstruction efforts. (Feb. 16, AP)

 

·       Russian medical unit set up a mobile hospital in Banda Aceh. (Jan-14, AP) Russian forces expected to leave on February 18. (Feb-11, Jakarta Post)

 

·       Singapore proposed building a 150-bed hospital in Banda Aceh and two clinics in Meulaboh. (Feb-1, Reuters) Replacing the military are staff from the Singapore Red Cross, Mercy Relief, Touch Community Services, the National Volunteer Philanthropy Centre and YMCA.

 

·      Turkey offered to build at least 1,000 homes and help revive fishing industry. (Feb-6, AFP) Turkey will help in the rebuilding of housing, irrigation, education and health facilities. (Feb-2, TempoInteractive)

 

·       The USS Abraham Lincoln has left Indonesian waters, however, some 5,000 US military personnel remain deployed in Indonesia, mostly offshore. Amphibious assault ship USS Essex will remain. Navy hospital ship Mercy has 1,000 bed capacity. US Navy has turned operations over to the group Project Hope. (Feb-3, Pentagon) Mercy has deployed two teams in Banda Aceh region: One team in Lamno and the other at the University Hospital in Banda Aceh. (Feb-10, US Embassy) The US Agency for International Development (USAID) has provided more than US$1.1 million for the implementation of cash-for-work programs. (Jan-24, US Embassy Jakarta) 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 has an office in Aceh and a logistical team in Medan. (Jan-18, UNICEF)

 

·       UN Development Programme (UNDP) will expand local hire program for the clean up of debris to some 50,000 people, under cash-for-work programs. (Jan-27, Reuters)

 

• 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 km) stretch of coastal lands were damaged or lost. (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 operational in Meulaboh, Calang and Lamno. UNHCR is using three Swiss helicopters that will operate from Medan-Meulaboh, Medan-Banda Aceh and Banda Aceh–Meulaboh. Helicopters will wind up mission at end of month. (Feb-11, UNHCR)

 

·       UN Population Fund (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 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 health groups in Aceh.

 

International Humanitarian Relief Organizations

 

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

 

·       CARE delivered more than 56,000 safe water kits and distributed food to more than 37,000 people. Intends to continue providing safe water to at least 500,000 people a month for several months. (Feb-7, CARE)

 

·       Human Rights Watch and Human Rights First expresses concern that new camps being prepared by GoI could be misused by the TNI to control the population. (Feb-7, HRW)

 

·       The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) operates a100-bed field hospital in Banda Aceh, provided medical supplies and restored access to clean water. (Jan-29, Reuters)

 

·       International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is providing assistance in Banda Aceh, Meulaboh, Salamanga, Teunom, Lhokseumawe, Calang and Lamno. More than 1,000 volunteers are supported by 50 Red Cross specialists. (Jan-27, Aus Red Cross) American Red Cross has committed US$35 million to the UN Foundation to support vaccinations for children through the Measles Initiative. (Feb-8, ARC)

 

·       International Medical Corps (IMC) is operating mobile clinics in remote areas along the coast. At the request of the GOI, IMC will take a lead role in providing psychosocial care. (Jan-25, IMC)

 

·       International Organization for Migration (IOM) Since December 30, IOM has moved some 10,644 MT of relief items from Medan to Aceh. (Feb-11, IOM)

 

·       International Rescue Committee in health, water/sanitation, shelter and long-term education programs in Aceh. (Jan-29, Reuters) 40 international and 150 local staff. (Feb-7, IRC)

• Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) is running mobile medical clinics, offering mental health support, improving water and sanitation, and distributing relief items. (Jan-31, MSF) MSF has four bases: Banda Aceh, Sigli, Lamno and Meulaboh. MSF is working in Banda Aceh, Meulaboh, Medan, Lamno and Lampe-Ngo assisting roughly 100,000 people. (Jan-12, MSF).

 

• Mercy Corps (MC) has over 60 staff whose efforts have reached over 100,000 people. (Feb-11, MC) MC is planning to give materials and create jobs to those rebuilding their homes. (Feb-8, The Star) MC has an office in Meulaboh. Focusing on restoring livelihoods and rebuilding 14 schools in Aceh. Supplying fishing boats and providing counseling in Meulaboh. (Jan-29, Reuters)

 

• Oxfam has cash-for-work program and is employing survivors for street cleanup. Oxfam will establish a shop to support people who want to cleanup and rebuild their houses. A pilot shop being established in Lampaya, west of Banda Aceh. (Feb-10, Oxfam) Oxfam has an operational base in Banda Aceh, a logistics base in Medan, and a program base in Meulaboh. (Jan-19, Oxfam).

 

• World Vision International (WVI) has distributed family kits to 800 families in Meulaboh and has begun relief activities there. Agency also opening up “child-friendly” spaces across Aceh. (Feb-10, WVI) WVI has agreed to build and administer 4 relocation centers. (Feb-7, ABC)

 

Sri Lanka

 

 

Overview…………………………………………………..page 22

 

Sectors…………………………………………………….page 22

 

Domestic Response…………………………………….page 25

            Government

            Local Humanitarian Organizations

 

International Response…………………………………page 26

            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 30,974, 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 total number of IDPs has been raised to about 553,287 after figures from additional districts were compiled and added. Of these, 141,985 are in “welfare centers” and 411,302 are with relatives or friends. There are currently about 315 camps open. WFP reports that the humanitarian situation has stabilized, with needs generally met in all sectors.

 

GoSL has developed a plan of constructing around 30,000 temporary accommodations over the next 6 months. (Feb.16, UNJLC)

 

According to latest figures by the Commissioner of Child Probation Services, at least 75% of kids orphaned by the tsunami are from the Tamil-dominated North East of the country. The agency says that 725 out of 995 orphans are from the North East. Additionally, there are some 3,389 children who have lost one parent. Of these, 2372 are from the North East, 998 from the Southern province and 19 from the Western province. (Feb.16, Hindustan Times)

 

Tourism in Sri Lanka is drying up and tourism authorities are considering revising 2005 targets. January, typically the winter peak for tourism, saw only 38,000 visitors, almost half of what the country saw in December.

 

On February 11, GoSL extended by a month a state of emergency in tsunami-hit areas to give wide powers to security forces to carry out relief operations.

 

Sector Status
Affected Population	About 553,287 people remain displaced; with 141,985 in camps or public buildings as many return to damaged homes or move in with family. WFP foresees the number of beneficiaries for February to be 845,000, and increase from its January figure of 750,000. This figure is likely to fall to about 650,000 in March.
Coordination	UNJLC reports a working group of UNHCR, IOM, OCHA, UNJLC and TAFOR are addressing coordination and logistics. (Feb. 16, UNJLC)   WFP is sending more monitors in an effort to abolish any corruption in the government system. World Bank President James D. Wolfenson stressed it would be imperative that Sri Lanka puts in place quick measures to monitor the large amount of funds that are flowing into the country. President Kumaratunga assured that the GoSL has already put in place mechanisms for the General Treasury to follow accepted fiscal procedure in the use of these donations. (Feb-10)   On February 4th the Centre for National Operations (CNO) handed over responsibilities of continuing its main functions of collating and analyzing data, coordinating and facilitating relief measures connected to healthcare, education, foreign donor assistance and food relief. The Task Force for Relief (TAFOR), headed by Mr. Thilak Ranaviraja, the Commissioner General for Election Services (CGES), will directly assume these responsibilities. TAFOR will be based and managed from the Ministry of Defense. Another task force, Task Force for the Reconstruction of the Nation (TAFREN), has been given responsibility of spearheading reconstruction, assessing the damages, and coming up with a master plan to rebuild infrastructure. Food relief will be channeled through the Ministry for Relief, Rehabilitation, and Reconciliation (RRR) together with CGES. Responsibilities connected to IDPs, Transit Camps, and liaison with the District Secretaries will be the task of the CGES. (Feb-9, UNJLC)   For information on IDP camps, injured, mission, deaths, and, schools, hospitals, houses and roads and bridges damaged, as well as spreadsheets with the amounts and sorts of relief goods that have been distributed, check the CNO website at http://www.cnosrilanka.org/ The Ministry of Relief, Rehabilitation, and Reconciliation’s website, www.mrrr.lk contains additional information.
Logistics	UN agencies and NGOs experiencing significant delays in obtaining customs clearances for items at Colombo international airport. GoSL being conferred with on problem. (Feb. 16, UNJLC)   UNHAS setting up office at Ratmalana airport for air operations. Set to become focal point of air operations. (Feb.16, UNJLC)   Damages by the tsunami have sped up GoSL work on port in Hambantota projected at a cost of US$50 million as Colombo Harbor had reached maximum capacity. (Feb-16, UNJLC)   There is a UN On-Site Operations Coordination Centre (OSOCC) and UN Joint Logistics Center (UNJLC) presence in the capital Colombo. The UNJLC is assisting with internal transport, logistics, operational Civil Military Coordination. UNJLC component has expanded to include customs, air coordination, commodity tracking and general logistics staff. The UNJLC also runs the Logistics Operations Center (LOC) which has been tasked to coordinate logistics operations of UN agencies and assists humanitarian relief agencies and NGOs in acquiring transport for the movement of humanitarian relief cargo out of Colombo.