PACIFIC DISASTER MANAGEMENT INFORMATION NETWORK (PDMIN)
1 Jarrett White Road MCPA-DM, Tripler AMC, HI 96859-5000
Telephone: 808.433.7035 · PDMIN@coe-dmha.org · http://www.coe-dmha.org

 

Indian Ocean Earthquake & Tsunami Emergency Update

 

February 18, 2005

 

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

 

 

Table of Contents:

 

Overview......................................page 2-7

Indonesia.....................................page 8-17

Sri Lanka......................................page 18-23

Thailand.......................................page 24-29

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. On 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.

 

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      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      World Food Program (WFP) spokesperson Inigo Alvarez said that a month-long assessment in Aceh found that some 790,000 survivors are still unable to feed themselves and will need food rations for many more months. (Feb-18, AP)

 

o   The FAO said on Thursday (February 17) that the tsunami cost the fishing industries of the 7 hardest hit countries some US$520 million in damages. Some 11,073 fishing boats were destroyed or damaged, 36,325 engines were lost or damaged beyond repair, and 1.7 million units of fishing gear were destroyed. (Feb-17, AP, UNNC)

 

·      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 officials said Friday (February 18) that preventing a widespread measles outbreak in Aceh province remains a high priority, with water- and insect-borne diseases remaining a concern. “The only outbreak which we could be talking about is of the measles among some young children,” WHO spokesperson Petra Heitkamp said. (Feb-18, Reuters)

 

o      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. 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: Senior Indonesian officials and rebel leaders of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) are set to hold a second round of peace talks in Koningstedt, outside of Helsinki, Finland on Monday (February 21).  The Helsinki-based Crisis Management Initiative (CMI), headed by former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari is mediating peace talks aimed at ending the nearly three decades long conflict in Indonesia’s Aceh province.  According to Bloomberg reports, Indonesian security minister Widodo Adi Sucipto and other officials will hold talks with the GAM leadership.  Indonesian Information and Communication Minister Sofyan Djalil said Monday’s talks would focus on the government’s proposal for limited self-rule (special autonomy).  The proposal would give Aceh greater control to determine its policies and manage its own finances.  Widodo said the government was seeking a permanent solution to the conflict rather than a temporary ceasefire.  He hoped that the talks would be more “concrete.”  Earlier this week (Tuesday, February 15), Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono insisted that only limited-autonomy (self-rule) was on the agenda warning that talks would continue pending the acceptance of this agenda and other things related to this concept.  The first round of peace talks that was held last month (January 28-29) in Helsinki ended without any 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. 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. Australian Defense Minister Robert Hill said Thursday (February 17) a helicopter detachment had completed its final mission and would return home soon. Australia, earlier this week, said that army medical teams would also be returning. When the helicopter detachment leaves, Australia’s remaining military contingent will include the navy ship HMAS Kanimbla, two C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, an army engineering detachment and logistics personnel. Meanwhile, the French helicopter carrier, Jeanne d’ Arc and its support ship, the submarine destroyer Georges Leygues, arrived in Singapore on Friday (February 18) after ending relief operations. France had said last month that the Jeanne d’ Arc would be replaced by the La Marne, a command and supply ship. Also on Friday, the Russian contingent in Banda Aceh handed over operations of a military field hospital to local officials. The more than 150 doctors, medics and support staff are expected to leave on Saturday (February 19). Additionally, the Japanese and German militaries are expected to withdraw sometime in March. 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      The Jakarta Post reported on February 16 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 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      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. (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) ADB Board of Directors today formally approved the setting up of the Asian Tsunami Fund. (Feb-18, ADB)

 

o         The US and Japan will begin providing tsunami warning to countries around the Indian Ocean as early as next month as a stopgap measure. Under the plan, both the Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center and Japan’s Meteorological Agency will give out alerts after analysis of quakes in the region, Agency official Osamu Kamigaichi said. (Feb-18, AP) Meanwhile, the UN’s International Strategy for Disaster Reduction group says that policy makers from the 11 most affected countries will gather in Tokyo, Japan from February 22-24 to learn about the technical aspects of Japan’s tsunami warning system. (Feb. 18- ISDR)

 

o      Former US Presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush senior are visiting some tsunami-affected countries in an effort to prevent donor fatigue. The two are expected in Thailand on Saturday (February 19) and are to visit Aceh on Sunday (February 20). The pair, who were appointed by US President George W. Bush to head private fundraising efforts, are also expected to visit Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Clinton was appointed on Tuesday (February 15) as a UN special envoy for tsunami relief. The two are also expected to meet with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Sri Lankan president Chandrika Kumaratunga, among other officials on their tour. (Feb-18, Reuters)

 

·       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 9

 

Sectors……………………………………………………………page 11

Overview: Australian Defense Minister Robert Hill said Thursday (February 17) a helicopter detachment had completed its final mission and would return home soon. Australia earlier this week said that army medical teams would also be returning home, as relief was being taken over by civilians. When the helicopter detachment leaves, Australia’s remaining military contingent will include the navy ship HMAS Kanimbla, two C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, an army engineering detachment and logistics personnel. Meanwhile, the French helicopter carrier, Jeanne d’ Arc and its support ship, the submarine destroyer Georges Leygues, arrived in Singapore’s Changi Naval base on Friday (February 18) after ending relief operations in Aceh. France had said last month that the Jeanne d’ Arc would be replaced by the La Marne, a command and supply ship. Also on Friday, the Russian contingent in Banda Aceh handed over operations of a military field hospital to local officials. The more than 150 doctors, medics and support staff are expected to leave on Saturday (February 19). Additionally, the Japanese and German militaries are expected to withdraw sometime in March.

 

Former US Presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush senior are expected to visit Aceh on Sunday (February 20). The two are also expected to meet with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. The pair, who were appointed by US President George W. Bush to head private fundraising efforts, are also expected to visit Sri Lanka, Thailand and the Maldives. Clinton was appointed on Tuesday (February 15) as a UN special envoy for tsunami relief.

 

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, only about 300 of 803 planned barracks have been made. “The short supply of timber, lack of transportation facilities and lack of clear land are the three main factors that have contributed to the late construction,” Totok Pri, director of the local development planning board was quoted by the Jakarta Post as saying. (Feb-18, DPA) 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. Social Welfare Minister Alwi Shihab says that after construction of the barracks, work would start on a second phase during which some 800,000 houses, each measuring some 387 square feet (36 square meters) would be constructed. Some 30,000 of the houses will be built around Banda Aceh and 10,000 in Calang on the west coast. 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.

 

World Food Program (WFP) spokesperson Inigo Alvarez said that a month-long assessment in Aceh found that some 790,000 survivors are still unable to feed themselves and will need food rations for many more months. “We’re not interested in creating dependency and that’s why we’re working very hard with our partners to target the people who are really in need of food,” he said.

 

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 expressed hope that the talks would convince the GAM to accept an autonomy offer. However, the GAM has rejected autonomy offers in the past and said it would only settle on independence.

 

Indonesia’s National Disaster Relief Coordination Agency (Bakornas) said that the number of confirmed dead and buried had increased by 1,165 to 121,347, 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. Asian Development Bank (ADB) allocates US$800 million, in addition to tsunami relief.

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

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. Information Minister Sofyan Djalil says the GOI will set up a “credible” oversight scheme for international aid. American accounting firm of Ernst &Young to audit foreign aid. Welfare Minister Shihab says the government would make official monthly announcements of the amount of aid received and spent.

 

Banda Aceh vicinity: Health officials say that they were conducting vaccinations on as many people as possible around Banda Aceh, following a report of a measles outbreak in nearby camps. (Feb-18, AP) 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) 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.

 

Sri Lanka

 

 

Overview…………………………………………………..page 19

 

Sectors…………………………………………………….page 19

 

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)

 

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.

 

Sri Lanka’s central bank said Wednesday (February 16) that reconstruction work and foreign aid will more than offset the economic losses suffered during the disaster. The bank revised economic growth for 2005 upwards to around 5.5 percent, which is higher than the 4.0 percent forecast by the International Monetary Fund. The bank says that fisheries and tourism had already begun a recovery, according to the bank. “The relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction work initiated by the government in the tsunami-affected areas will help mitigate the negative impact of the tsunami disaster,” the bank said in a statement. (Feb-18, AFP)

 

Information on many NGO activities can be obtained from the following link: http://www.humanitarian-srilanka.org/ (under Tsunami 2004 Information Center)

 

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)   UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team established an operations center at the Ministry of Public Security, Law, and Order and is working to coordinate emergency assessments and reports. UN-agencies (WFP, UNHCR, IOM and UNICEF) have to set up regional offices in Galle. Logistic Operations Centers (LOCs) has been set up in Batticaloa and Kilinochchi.   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	UNJLC reports 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) The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) today urged GoSL to immediately stop imposing customs duties and other charges on international relief goods. (Feb-18, AHRC)   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.   GoSL has large warehouses where all relief items are stored. Management of these warehouses is not up to UN standards, and local staff needs to be trained. Additional storage facilities are available in district capitals, but need some repairs. (Feb-7, UNJLC)   Most remote areas are now accessible by road. The need for helicopter delivery is greatly diminished.   There are very few transport companies in the east. The companies will offer trucks for rent. A complete list of truck owners in Batticaloa/Ampara is being compiled by WFP. The district of Galle in the south has a significant number of transport companies with bigger fleets than in the east. Additionally, each district has a health department with 1-2 trucks for their private use. (Feb-7, UNJLC)   IOM has trucks available for lending to agencies and NGOs. UNJLC is coordinating requests for these. (Feb-9, UNJLC)   There is no shortage of transport in Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, or Jaffna, but passes are required for traveling. In the north, the general infrastructure of roads, railways, and bridges is in serious need of rehabilitation. (Feb-9, UNJLC)   Train operations on the coastal railway line were extended to the town of Ambalangoda in the district of Galle. Two trains will operate roundtrip daily from Ambalangoda to Colombo Fort. Six trains will operate roundtrip daily between Aluthgama and Colombo Fort. Ten trains will operate roundtrip daily from Kalutara to Colombo Fort. Both Aluthgama and Kalutara are in Kalutara district. (Feb-8, Daily News)   According to the Public Security Law and Order Ministry, the bulk of incoming relief commodities are now shipped and channeled through Colombo Port. Procedures for handling incoming aid have been streamlined to preclude hurdles. Three warehouses at the Colombo Port are completely full so relief commodities are now being moved from the port into bonded warehouses in Colombo. (Feb-9, UNJLC)   There are increased delays at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) due to new rules and the reinstitution of stricter requirements for the clearing of goods. (Feb-9, UNJLC). The warehouse for relief commodities at the airport is completely full. The Sri Lanka Cargo warehouse for commercial goods is also congested with roughly 400 tons of relief cargo awaiting clearance. (Feb-11, UNJLC)   The national airlines, Air Lanka and Expo Air, are operational and flying to all non-LTTE-controlled areas of Sri Lanka, including Jaffna. (Feb-9, UNJLC)
Food	WFP announced the food pipeline has essentially been secured until end of March, but it is expected that many families will begin to be able to support themselves again by the end of February. There are delays in some districts due to poor road conditions and limited capacity of local authorities. (Feb-4, OCHA) WFP director James Morris is confident food aid is reaching most people in need. WFP has sub-offices in Galle, Ampara, Trincomalee, Mullaitivu and Batticaloa, and established a sub-office in the northern LTTE-controlled city of Jaffna.
Water and Sanitation	UNICEF is the lead agency for water and sanitation.   WHO reports that water supplies to affected areas in the south are now reported stable, however, clean water and sanitation remain concerns, particularly in camps.
Public Health and Medical	WHO is the lead agency in facilitating health sector coordination issues through the Ministry of Health and Nutrition (MOH). (Feb-10, WHO) WHO reports no disease outbreaks but concerns remain due to displacement and movement of people. (Feb-4, OCHA) Providing water and sanitation for relocated families is becoming a major challenge in all districts. Malnutrition is emerging as a concern. WFP is distributing vitamin A capsules, iron/folate tablets and is planning on distributing commodities fortified with multi-micronutrients. Adequate sanitation facilities will determine the evolution of the public health situation. (Feb-2, WHO) Health officers are being trained to further improve the disease surveillance system. (Feb-1, WHO)   All hospitals are functioning. Three basic public health laboratories are established in Kalmunai, Batticoloa, and Ampara to diagnose epidemic-prone diseases and to test water quality. In Ampara and Batticaloa districts, 37 different agencies are offering psychosocial support. Workers continue to be trained to address psychosocial needs. (Feb-4, WHO)   People, particularly children, living in temporary shelters in camps could face a worsening health situation. Risks will also increase if sanitation problems in the camps are not addressed. (Feb-14, IFRC)   WHO continues to work with local governments and partners to strengthen public health surveillance and response systems.
Shelter	The International Organization for Migration (IOM) says that it has so far provided shelters for some 7,885 people and plans to assist 31,460 more in Sri Lanka. (Feb-18, IOM)   Immediate needs are being met by 315 camps, schools, places of worship, and other public buildings. A total of 155 schools are being used as temporary shelters for displaced families. IDPs continue to leave camps, reportedly because they are concerned that they could lose their land.
Infrastructure	Mano Tittawella, senior advisor to President Kumaratunga and head of the reconstruction task force, announced a three-year plan to rebuild the country. Around sixty percent of the US$1.8 billion plan will target LTTE-controlled areas with fisheries and small businesses as the main focus. The plan is separate from another US$1.4 billion aid scheme that will focus on infrastructure needs over the next decade. (Feb-11, AFP)   Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse said it is estimated that nearly 100,000 new houses would have to be built due to the tsunami. (Feb-14, Daily News)   President Chandrika Kumaratunga has set March 1 as the commencing date for rebuilding damaged infrastructure. She said the GoSL has already signed memorandum of understandings (MoUs) with private sector companies and foreign governments to reconstruct destroyed schools. Schools will be rebuilt with modern facilities according to plans provided by the GoSL. (Feb-14, Xinhua)   International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) through the Danish Red Cross Society and American Red Cross have a long-term plan (one year to eighteen months) to support Sri Lanka in rehabilitation/reconstruction of the public health facilities. (Feb-10, WHO)   UNICEF is also supporting the GoSL for the reconstruction and renovation of damaged health facilities.   The World Bank is allocating US$100 million to Sri Lanka. The US$100 million will initially be made of reallocated funds from existing programs, emergency credits and grants. US$75 million will be available by the end of February.
Security	The Tamil National Force (TNF), formed by breakaway LTTE commander Colonel Karuna, has appealed to Sri Lankan MPs belonging to the pro-LTTE Tamil National Alliance (TNA), to resign or face death. On February 11, the TNF had claimed responsibility for the assassination of LTTE political official E. Kaushalyan. GoSL security forces are on alert in the district of Batticaloa, after a deadly attack on LTTE leaders. (Feb-8, ABC )   WFP reports growing instabilities in the East, particularly among Muslims, due to frustration over inadequate and/or inequitable relief distribution. (Feb-10, OCHA)   OCHA reports increasing incidents of sexual and gender-based violence, including domestic violence and child abuse, in the temporary camps. (Feb-10, OCHA)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thailand

 

 

 

Overview. ………………………………………………. page 25

 

Sectors……………………………………………………page 26

 

Overview: Thailand is well into recovery and reconstruction. Key issues are environmental, psychosocial and livelihood restoration, ensuring care for vulnerable groups and improving disaster preparedness. Official death toll on February 16 was at 5,395 and missing was 2,933, including more than 1,000 foreigners. There are about 3,300 unidentified bodies, including 1,900 foreigners. Some 1,900 are presumed to be Thai, 1,953 foreigners, and 1,542 have not yet been categorized, the Associated Press reports. (Number of bodies recovered, but unidentified, may overlap with number missing). Royal Thai Police, heads international task force for Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) in Phuket. All foreign bodies have been moved to the DVI center. 460 international forensic experts from more than 20 countries assisting in body identification – some for up to one year. Private foreign companies also involved. Royal Thai Police (under Interior Ministry) and Australian Federal Police heading coordination of forensic operations.

 

Police said Wednesday (February 16) that all of the bodies of foreigners killed in the disaster will be identified in the next 4 months. More than 300 have been identified so far and released to their families.

 

NGOs and immigration police said toll might be under-reported as at least 2,000 Myanmar migrants may have been killed. Immigration police say migrant workers that lost permits in the disaster will be allowed to stay until June this year. Foreign volunteers assisting in tsunami-related charity work are required to hold work permits – regulations will be enforced in March.

 

Former US Presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush senior are visiting some tsunami-affected countries in an effort to prevent donor fatigue. The two are expected in Thailand on Saturday (February 19). Meanwhile, Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia visited tsunami affected areas in Thailand today (February 18).

 

In post-election period, the government has ordered scaling back of proposed official spending on rehabilitation aid. In a seminar attended by NGOs in Phuket on February 13, survivors from the 6 affected provinces said government assistance was insufficient. The EU’s Coastal Habitats and Resources Management Project (CHARM) said a new coordinating body to better distribute aid will be proposed during talks on Tuesday, February 15.

 

Thailand does not require financial assistance, but welcomes technical aid. Tourism sector expected to sustain largest impact because it contributes 5-6% to the total GDP. Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi contribute about half of Thailand’s tourism revenues. European Commission accelerates new Generalized System of Preference (GSP), effective April 1, for tsunami-affected countries. Local news reports tourists have begun to arrive again in Phuket, and that tourists are flocking to other parts of Thailand. Other provinces, such as Satun, have suffered a double-blow to its tourism from the disaster and from fears of insurgency-related violence further south, even though its beaches were largely spared damage. Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) draws up three-month tourism plan and offers 100 million baht (US$2.6 million) in incentives to revive tourism. (Feb-5, TNA) Visitor arrivals are reportedly down by more than 64 percent at Phuket airport. (Feb-18, TNA)

 

5.97 billion baht (US$155 million) in aid approved for victims will be trimmed by 500-600 million baht (US$13 million–15.6 million), since government says there are fewer affected people than earlier estimated. (Feb-8, Bangkok Post) Office of the Prime Minister’s disaster relief fund has received 971 million baht (US$25.2 million) in private donations. 500 million baht (US$13 million) given to affected people. Another 400 million baht (US$10.4 million) will be spent on various relief projects. (Jan-31, Bangkok Post).

 

The headquarters of the Combined Support Force-536 (US tsunami task force) at the Royal Thai Naval Air Base in Utapao, Thailand, closed down on February 12 (Feb-10, US DOS). Rehabilitation and reconstruction aid in next phase will be done through JUSMAG (Joint United States Military Advisory Group) and US Embassy. (Jan-31, Bangkok Post)