Tuesday, February 08, 2005

Crisis in Aceh ~ OCHA & IFRC Reports

Following are OCHA and IFRC reports forwarded by RJ, who also provides the comments. Highlights are mine.

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Source: IFRC
Date: 11 Jan 2005

Asia: Earthquake and Tsunamis - Appeal No. 28/2004
Operations Update No. 15 - Focus on Field Assessment and Coordination in Indonesia

The FACT health officer, together with a member of PMI, conducted an aerial and rapid ground assessment of Calang yesterday. The assessment was severely constrained by limited time on the ground and by poor weather conditions that delayed helicopter departure.

Calang is located approximately 80 km north of Meulaboh. The town is situated on a small peninsula surrounded by the sea on three sides; it was completely vulnerable during the disaster. The destruction is almost total, with a single building left standing. A number of smaller structures on higher ground about 1 km above Calang were not damaged by the tsunami. Approximately 80 percent of the population is believed to have perished. Survivors are gathered in small groups of 50 to 100 people clustered on the hills above Calang town along the road line. There are no discrete displacement camps, and an unknown number of people are situated in areas south of Calang and others are moving north towards Lamno.

The Indonesian National Army (Tentara Nasional Indonesia/TNI) is present in Calang and there are two naval barges offshore maintaining a supply line. There are several small NGOs present, and a self-deployed group of TNI volunteers from Java. These groups are clustered in tents on flat ground by the shoreline and close to the helicopter landing zone. The Calang area is congested and dirty, there is no sanitation or water supply, no electricity and only limited health services provided. Some of this information is obtained from t he International Rescue Committee (IRC), who are conducting a three-day health survey in this area.

The FACT team visit was brief and the initial impression was that there are hundreds of affected people, rather than thousands, although many people may have been away from Calang in outlying villages or in the countryside searching for food. IRC suggests the actual figure of affected may be approximately 2,000 to 3,000. The general condition of people seen was fairly stable. Although conditions are very basic, there is limited shelter, water, food (rice and noodles) and there is access to basic health care. There have been small local distributions of clothing. The priority focus of action now is on urgent support to the PMI team on location, provision of water and sanitation, support to the existing health structure and delivery of non-food relief items.

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Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) - Feb. 1, 2005


Overview
The latest figures from BAKORNAS (31/01/05) on the human toll for the disaster indicate that some 108,110 bodies have been buried in NAD Province and 130 bodies in North Sumatra Province. The number of people reported missing remains 127,749 in NAD and 24 in North Sumatra. Meanwhile the number or displaced people in NAD are 426,849. The figure of displaced people in North Sumatra is still to be obtained. BAKORNAS' previous report on the 260,000 displaced people who are thought to be residing with extended families and community has been taken out from its latest report considering the dynamic of those displaced persons.

BAKORNAS plans to reassess the dynamic figure of the displaced persons by middle of February 2005. The result of the assessment will be shared once it is available.


Sectoral Developments
Health
There are an estimated 800 pregnant women in IDP settlements. The Ministry of Health has sent 300 midwives to Banda Aceh to provide support. WHO has developed an action plan together with the Ministry of Health to support reproductive health.

WHO stated that one case of bloody diarrhea that was reported from Lonehgaby the Turkish Red Crescent is under investigation. After the completion of measles vaccination in the IDP camps, the last leg of the campaign is planned for Lhoong where 24 of the 28 villages are known to have been destroyed. The remaining 4 villages can be reached only by air. Helicopter support may be needed to reach immunization to the children in these devastated villages.

On Sunday (30/01/05) MoH reported that the measles vaccination campaign has covered 77,842 children (58, 7%) in Aceh. For North Sumatra, the coverage is 2,000 children (20, 3%). In addition, the MoH reported (31/01/05) atotal of 59 clinical cases of Malaria, of which 8 are Malaria Falciparum.

Food and Nutrition
Joint UN and Government surveys are planned, as well as the establishment of a nutrition surveillance system for affected people, including the host communities. To address potential micronutrient deficiency, WFP is planning on distributing fortified products (fortified biscuits/noodles) in the ration. The Nutrition Director from the Ministry Of Health chaired a meeting in Jakarta on the 26th January attended by WFP, UNICEF, WHO and many NGOs. The aim was to encourage better coordination by ministry authorities of assessments and action in nutrition. Concern was raised by the MOH about the large quantities of milk powder coming to Aceh. WHO and UNICEF have issued a joint statement on appropriate infant and young child feeding, and cautioned against unnecessary use of milk products

Shelter
The first IOM model durable component temporary shelter unit is on its way to Banda Aceh and is expected to arrive in Banda Aceh on 5 February. A team of shelter experts will assemble the model unit and train and prepare IOM shelter assembly crews to assemble the first 1,000 temporary shelter units. The first four units are due to be loaded onto IOM trucks at the factory in Bandung for delivery to Banda Aceh on 14 February. Members of the shelter committee comprising individuals of the Government of Indonesia, UN agencies, NGOs, local religious leaders and IDP community representatives have been informed and invited to view the model unit to share their comments and recommendations.
[Comment: Have NGOs and local community reps taken part in this?]

UNHCR has been using Swiss helicopters in a shuttle operation to transfer 18 tonnes of shelter materials from its operational base at Calang on Aceh's west coast to the village of Krueng Sabe, 8km south of Calang, where an estimated 50 percent of its population were swept away by the waves, leaving some 4,000 people displaced. UNHCR has helicoptered in lightweight tents, plastic sheeting, hygiene kits and blankets for some 3,000 people. UNHCR is currently assessing transferring relief supplies to the severely hit village of Keude Panga, further south from Calang.

In Teunom, some 60km to the north of Meulaboh, 2,000 out of the original population of 17,000 reportedly perished in the tsunami disaster. Some 8,000 people have been displaced, 80 percent of them living with host families and the rest in damaged mosques, public buildings and a few tents. This figure includes those from neighboring villages. The area is cut off from the nearest main city of Meulaboh with large portions of the asphalt road and bridges destroyed. The harbor has been damaged and only very smallboats can enter the port. No cleanup has taken place in the area. Supplies can only be flown in by helicopter. UNHCR is preparing to fly in to thearea some of the 250 "shelter boxes" donated by Rotary International and brought by a convoy of eight trucks to its satellite office in Meulaboh. Each box is for 10 people and contains blankets, a torch, a shovel, water purifying tablets, cooking and drinking containers.

The work on the second camp is ongoing at Alu Peunyareng, 15km south of Meulaboh. This camp will shelter around 350 families living in appalling conditions.

Water and Sanitation
WHO reports that a joint assessment of water and sanitation in temporary settlements in Banda Aceh finds that there is still insufficient provision of latrines, and that the provision of water could be better coordinated to ensure a regular supply.
[Comment: Do we need more assessments to figure out that latrines must be built. Are TNI/INGOs doing this?]

Livelihood
Last week ILO finalized its agreement with the Provincial Government of NAD to establish Emergency Public Employment Service Center Network and the guidelines have been published by the Provincial Manpower Office. The first centre will be established next week in Banda Aceh (at the premises of the Vocational Training Center), and the next center will be establishedin Meulaboh.

ILO has deployed a team on employment-intensive infrastructure development and its assessment has been completed in Banda Aceh. Meanwhile, a team of experts on labor-based works will start on 2 February. Both teams will work with the Public Works office along with other pertinent organizations implementing 'cash-for-work' schemes.

The first child labour action programme has been approved to be implemented together with executing local agencies in Aceh Besar.

Programme formulation is being finalized to start the entrepreneurship development programme called 'Start Your Business'. In addition, short-cycle vocational training will be implemented through both public and private training providers.

UNDP reports that international and national organizations are cooperating on a Cross-Sectoral Assessment which would employ a common methodology, assessment form and timeline to conduct an assessment across the tsunami affected sub-districts in the province. The assessment will not only examine the needs of the affected populations but will also gather data on their preferences for the future in terms of location, shelter, livelihoods, etc. This assessment will build on assessments already carried out by a number of international and local organizations. UNDP is recruiting a survey specialist to refine the questionnaire, the sample size and train the surveyors.
[Comment: This report which will include the preferences of the affected populations regarding their future "location, shelter, livelihoods" will be key.]

City cleaning
Work has started on cleaning up the main psychiatric hospital in Banda Aceh, and 300 people are working on this project supported by UNDP/Panglima Laut in cooperation with the Australian Army.

UNDP is consulting with authorities on a possible pilot project concerning a waste recovery facility within Banda Aceh, aimed at the improvement of the environmental management of Tsunami waste, which would sort waste into different categories using labour intensive methods. The pilot project would be carried out in parallel with the current waste disposal activities to prevent any delay in the clean up operation, and could be up-scaled toother urban centers.

Telecommunication
BAKORNAS reported that the rehabilitation of telephone system in Banda Aceh will be completed by today (01/02/05) and that 50 percent of electricity supply in Banda Aceh and 30 percent in Meulaboh have been restored. However, Calang and Temno remain out of electricity supply. Meanwhile, since the situation in Calang is still paralyzed, the District Government of Aceh Jaya has moved temporarily its capital to Lamno.


Useful websites
Government:


Other:

For detailed information please contact:
Michael Elmquist
Chief, OCHA Indonesia
Tel. 62 21 314 1308
Fax. 62 21 319 00 003
Mobile 62 811 996 594

Regina Rahadi
Emergency Response Officer
Tel. 62 21 314 1308 ext 151
Fax. 62 21 319 00 003
Mobile 62 811 93 9479

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Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) - Feb. 3, 2005


Overview
Based on the latest information from BAKORNAS (03/02/05) the total number of displaced people in Nanggroe Aceh Darusalam (NAD) is 412,438. Due to the dynamic IDP movement, this figure is less than the figure reported in Situation Report No. 23: 426,849 IDPs. The number of reported missing remains at 127,749, while some 111,043 bodies were buried. In North Sumatra Province, the number of dead people still stands at 130 and the missing ones remains at 24. Meanwhile, the number of displaced people from Nias Island has been identified as 4,000 people.

The Government of Indonesia in Banda Aceh reported the new target of relocation is 62,500 persons at 37 locations around Aceh province. In addition it was reported that the building of barracks in Aceh Timur was completed, not including the facilities. In total, the completion of barracks stands at only 9%. Efforts to register IDPs started and this is expected to be completed by the 10th of February and that will provide all IDPs with an ID number.

The HIC has been collecting data from different surveys to create one base map which would include information on health facilities, health services, hospitals, schools, kindergartens, agency locations, warehouses and IDP locations. This should help demonstrate gaps in the assistance provided interms of geographical spread.


Sectoral Developments
Assessments
ICRC conducted a full sanitation assessment of spontaneous settlements in Banda Aceh and Aceh Besar. They concluded that the latrines were built too close to water treatment plants, and did not reach SPHERE standards. This was mentioned at the Open Humanitarian Briefing and all involved were strongly advised to consult the SPHERE standards which are available at the HIC in English, Indonesian and French.

UNICEF reported that a template for initial and ongoing nutrition surveillance in Aceh has been prepared, following on from the baseline survey undertaken in Banda Aceh and Aceh Besar District. Five randomly selected sites in nine districts will be surveyed and an effort has been made to assure ongoing surveillance by local health staff and NGOs after the initial activity, through their participation in baseline training and field work, and through provision of supplies.

Health
WHO, CDC, and UNICEF staff conducted a brief assessment of malaria and dengue risk in Banda Aceh on Sunday (30/01/05). No significant vector populations were found in the devastated area, probably due to water pollution and lack of human or animal hosts in the immediate vicinity. However, at the edge of areas affected by tsunami-related floods, large numbers of anopheline malaria vectors were found. To date, Anopheles subpictus has been identified, though Anopheles sundaicus may also be present, as collections were made from typical habitats of this species. Aedes vectors of dengue were also observed biting and were collected from container habitats. The presence of dengue vectors in this environment is expected; the risk of dengue is ever-present, irrespective of the tsunami event.

The Government of Japan has extended its grant aid in the amount of USD343,439 for the mobile clinic project proposed by the Muhammadiyah Youth. This mobile clinic is to provide medical services as well as accelerating the recovery and revitalization of people's life in Aceh.

Food and Nutrition
WFP is working with its implementing partners to deliver food assistance to 370,000 beneficiaries and its total cumulative dispatches as of Thursday (03/02/05) stood at over 8,193MT.

A WFP mission will spend several days on the west coast south of Meulaboh (area between Tapaktuan and Singkil) to establish beneficiary numbers and commence food distribution urgently. Discussions will include local Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) with whom WFP has agreed to work in Aceh.

The USAID Disaster Assistance Response Team (USAID/DART), MoH, UNICEF and CARE International discussed the result of a recent MoH/UNICEF rapid nutrition assessment, conducted in 19 sites in Banda Aceh and Aceh Besar, which indicated significant levels of diarrheal diseases and global acute malnutrition (42.6% and 12.7% respectively) and low immunization rates among the population surveyed. Recommendations include improving water andsanitation conditions, ensuring the distribution of a diverse food basket, implementing supplementary feeding programs, improving vaccination coverage, and initiating nutritional surveillance system.

UNICEF is also supporting a team of 10 staffs from the Indonesian Lactation Centre from Jakarta to work with local health staffs and communities in Aceh on appropriate feeding for infants and young children, emphasizing breast feeding, complementary feeding, sanitation and hygiene. The team will work amongst the population who have lost homes and at community level for at least one week, possibly longer on the west coast where people are more isolated.

Education
Regarding to the opening of schools, the Ministries of People's Welfare, Education and Religious Affairs announced four key policies. Firstly, school children from schools destroyed by the earthquake and tsunami are to be integrated into nearby remaining schools, despite the difficulties this may cause. Secondly, urgent replacement of teachers who are missing or displaced will include the recruitment and training of 3,000 teachers as well as the use of volunteer teachers. Thirdly, school uniforms and shoes will not be required for children to attend school. Lastly, schools will be used as an entry point for other much needed support for children in the areas of health, protection, psychosocial care, water and sanitation.

Joint teacher training in emergency education will be conducted by theDepartments of Education and Religious Affairs with the support of UNICEF,Save the Children and other NGOs is being planned and will commence soon.

The Government is working with the World Bank, UNICEF and other international agencies to assess and plan for the medium term rehabilitation and reconstruction of schools. UNICEF will also be a key partner in the reconstruction of primary schools affected by the tsunami and earthquake.

Water and Sanitation
Australian Defense Force engineer and environmental health teams have commenced operations in some of Banda Aceh's displaced persons camps to address critical needs on location. The teams are focusing on basic sanitation and shelter requirements in selected camps, delivering assistance to camps housing those Acehnese worst affected by the tsunami.

UNICEF Environmental sanitation clean up campaign extended to 15 settlements of Banda Aceh through a new cooperation agreement signed with the Banda Aceh Municipal Sanitation department. This involves collection and disposal of refuse and drainage clearance in 15 settlements and hospitals in the town. Two septic tank trucks deployed through Public Works contract in Banda Aceh town to de-sludge septic tanks and pit latrines at 15 settlement locations in Banda Aceh town (estimated population served 30,000). New designs completed for latrine construction in high groundwater locations for settlements/schools and construction started on 15 such latrine units.

City Cleaning
The local authorities have been provided to date with 45 pieces of heavy equipment and 116 operators in two crews, for clean-up operations in Banda Aceh, supported by UNDP. A third crew is being provided with 10 pieces of heavy equipment plus 25 dump trucks.

Child Protection
Based on UNICEF's estimation, 2.5% of the population who lost homes are separated/ unaccompanied children, of which less than 0.3% are unaccompanied. The total number of unaccompanied children is therefore estimated at 10,000 (assuming a total affected population of 400,000). Total estimate of children who are separated, unaccompanied, orphaned or lost one parent is 35,000 by Department of Social Welfare.

At this stage, it is difficult to predict the exact number of orphans before exhausting the tracing process (to try to trace the parents of the separated and unaccompanied children). Only 2 to 3% of the registeredchildren have seen the body of their parents and vast majority of the children don't know the status of their parents. However, the vast majority of these children are being taken care of by family members, neighbors or members of their community.

Livelihood
Labour intensive rubble clearing with support from UNDP has been scaled up to approximately 2,200 people, across a number of locations throughout Banda Aceh, including the General Hospital, the psychiatric Hospital, the military airport in Banda Aceh and a number of other public facilities in the area. In addition, UNDP has established its presence in Meulaboh and has employed 120 people in initial cash for work activities.

ILO is establishing an emergency public employment services centre in Banda Aceh as of this week, based at the Dinas Tenaga Kerja (DISNAKER's) training centre, with support from UNDP. The core functions of the emergency employment assistance service will include registering and advising job seekers matching jobs and job seekers, collecting and disseminating labour market information, and planning and managing special employment and training measures.


Coordination
Following the nomination by the Ministry of Health (MoH) of WFP as the Agency responsible for Supplementary Feeding activities in Aceh, WFP participated on 3 February in the first meeting of the Government ofIndonesia (GoI)-led 'Nutrition Surveillance Task Force'. The main participants of this Task Force are the Representatives of the Nutrition Department of the MoH, Health Research and Development, Nutrition Research Institute Bogor, SEAMEO Tropmed, Helen Keller International (HKI), Save the Children Fund UK (SCF), UNICEF, WHO and WFP.

The objective of the meeting was to finalise the nutrition surveillance proposal for Aceh Province. Special attention was given to the methodology, sampling design, indicators, software package, and resources. Indicators cover nutrition, health, access to health services, food consumption, as well as the household food security situation.

The surveillance system will be under the responsibility of the Provincial Health Department and the MoH supported by the partners present. It is planned that the joint Government/Inter-Agency Nutrition Surveillance System will continue throughout the implementation of the GoI's five years nutrition and health rehabilitation programme in Banda Aceh. The Nutrition Surveillance Task Force will be established in Banda Aceh next week and it is expected that training of enumerators will start in mid-February.

Logistics - Telecommunication
Aside from the grant aid for mobile clinic in Aceh, the Government of Japan has released USD19,058 grant to support the communication flow of Radio Suara Aceh. The radio provides information for the reunification of the separated and unaccompanied children with their family members as well as generally disseminates humanitarian information in Aceh.

Three radio rooms were established in Banda Aceh, Meulaboh and Medan, providing security telecommunications support as per UN standards. Radio repeater channels are established in Banda Aceh and Meulaboh. Under UNICEF's project, data connectivity is established in Banda Ached for UN agencies - establishment of the same facility in Meulaboh currently ongoing.

BAKORNAS reported that 8 FM Radio Stations are now operating in Banda Aceh. These stations include RRI Studio mini Banda Aceh (Frekwensi 88.5 MHz), Radio Siaran Asifa FM (Frekwensi 90.8 MHz), Radio Siaran Visi FM (Frekwensi 98.1 MHz), RRI Studio Mini (Frekwensi 97.7 MHz), Radio Siaran Baiturahman FM (Frekwensi 98.5 MHz), Radio Siaran Suara Aceh FM (Frekwensi 99 MHz), Radio Siaran Sapa FM (Frekwensi 106.5 MHz), Radio Siaran Muhamadiyah (Frekuensi 107.6 MHz)

For the latest comprehensive report regarding logistics, please see UNJLC's latest situation report at www.unjlc.org


Useful websites
Government:

Other:

For detailed information please contact:
Michael Elmquist
Chief, OCHA Indonesia
Tel. 62 21 314 1308
Fax. 62 21 319 00 003
Mobile 62 811 996 594

Regina Rahadi
Emergency Response Officer
Tel. 62 21 314 1308 ext 151
Fax. 62 21 319 00 003
Mobile 62 811 93 9479

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Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)

Ref: OCHA/GVA - 2005/0020
OCHA Situation Report No. 23
Earthquake and Tsunami
Indonesia, Maldives, Sri Lanka

The Secretary-General has offered to former U.S. President Bill Clinton the position of his Special Envoy for Tsunami-affected Countries and President Clinton has accepted.

INDONESIA

Situation
The latest figures from the National Coordination Agency for Disaster Management (BAKORNAS) on 31 January 2005 on the human toll for the disaster indicate that some 108,110 bodies have been buried in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam (NAD) Province and 130 bodies in North Sumatra Province. The number of people reported missing is at 127,749 in NAD and 24 in North Sumatra. Meanwhile the number or displaced people in NAD is 426,849.

BAKORNAS plans to reassess the figure of the displaced persons - February 2005.


Update by sector and Response
City cleansing
Work has started on cleaning up the main psychiatric hospital in Banda Aceh, and 300 people are working on this project supported by UNDP/Panglima Laut in cooperation with the Australian Army.

UNDP is consulting with authorities on a possible pilot project concerning a waste recovery facility within Banda Aceh, aimed at the improvement of the environmental management of Tsunami waste, which would sort waste into different categories using labour intensive methods. The pilot project would be carried out in parallel with the current waste disposal activities to prevent any delay in the clean up operation, and could be up-scaled to other urban centers.
[Comment: This is ostensibly the one highlighted in recent press which promises to hire 30,000 survivors at about $4 a day. It's starting by hiring 100 people. Not much. Why isn't more being done? i.e. more people hired quickly? Also, this project should be monitored to ensure that Achenese are getting work.]

Education
Schools have started to function after the initial launch of the "Back to Learning" campaign on 26 January 2005 in Banda Aceh and in Aceh Besar. Some concerns remain with regard to IDPs in Aceh Besar staying in 12 schools. Most of the children are still in need of text books and school uniforms, according to the Government.

Environment
The UNDAC environmental expert is developing, with colleagues, a pilot project to manage waste resulting from the tsunami. This project is based in part on the waste management work undertaken by the environmental experts from the UNDAC team in Sri Lanka. A plan of action for this project has been endorsed by the responsible authorities in Banda Aceh and Meulaboh. In collaboration with partners, implementation has commenced using the structures, machinery and human resources available on site. Details are available from the Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit.

Health
There are an estimated 800 pregnant women in IDP settlements. The Ministry of Health has sent 300 midwives to Banda Aceh to provide support. WHO has developed an action plan together with the Ministry of Health to support reproductive health.

WHO stated that one case of bloody diarrhea that was reported from Lonehgaby the Turkish Red Crescent is under investigation. After the completion of measles vaccination in the IDP camps, the last leg of the campaign is planned for Lhoong where 24 of the 28 villages are known to have been destroyed.

On 30 January 2005, the Ministry of Health (MoH) reported that the measles vaccination campaign has covered 77,842 children (58.7 percent) in Aceh. For North Sumatra, the coverage is 2,000 children (20.3 percent). In addition, the MoH reported on 31 January 2005 a total of 59 clinical cases of Malaria, of which 8 are Malaria Falciparum.

IOM Banda Aceh will expand a UNICEF/Ministry of Health (MoH) measles vaccination campaign for children between 6 months and 15 years to areas along the west coast, reaching from Calang to Tenoum. IOM will be joined by the Japanese Self Defence Forces (JSDF). Together they will send three teams of doctors and nurses to provide measles vaccinations, Vitamin A supplements and carry out preventive care. UNICEF will provide three additional medical teams of doctors and nurses to work with IOM and theJSDF. This vaccination campaign will continue until mid- March. IOM has already been actively involved in the large-scale UNICEF/MoH measles vaccination campaign on the west coast in partnership with the Irish NGO, GOAL. Between 15 and 30 January 2005, IOM provided 1,332 measles vaccinations and Vitamin A supplements to the at-risk age group of children at various sites in and around Banda Aceh.

The IOM medical team was requested by the World Health Organization (WHO) to provide technical support for an IDP settlement in Lhong Raya, Jaya Baru District. IOM has provided a medical tent, general medical supplies, hygiene kits as well as a generator.

In an effort to support the rehabilitation of community health centres, IOM's Medical Team in Banda Aceh continues to work closely with officials of the Ministry of Health to identify suitable locations for the five community health centres which IOM has agreed to build and equip, as provide training to medical staff and administrators.

Food and Nutrition
Joint UN and Government surveys are planned, as well as the establishment of a nutrition surveillance system for affected people, including the host communities. To address potential micronutrient deficiency, WFP is planning on distributing fortified products (fortified biscuits/noodles). The Nutrition Director from the Ministry of Health chaired a meeting in Jakarta on 26 January 2005 attended by WFP, UNICEF, WHO and NGOs. The aim was to encourage better coordination by ministry authorities of assessments and action in nutrition. Concern was raised by the MoH about the large quantities of milk powder coming to Aceh. WHO and UNICEF have issued a joint statement on appropriate infant and young child feeding, and cautioned against unnecessary use of milk products.

WFP reported that in Teunom, the food distribution through their partner ACF to roughly 13,000 people will finish within the next five days. The target group is approximately 8,000 IDPs and host families. Save the Children completed its second WFP food distribution to patients in 15 hospitals in Medan on 31 January 2005.

Livelihood
Last week ILO finalized its agreement with the Provincial Government of Nanggroe Aceh Darusalam (NAD) to establish Emergency Public Employment Service Center Network. The first centre will be established in Banda Aceh, and the next center will be established in Meulaboh.
[Comment: "finalized". Would be interested in learning about the substance of discussions leading to finalizing an agreement and over what period of time these took place.]

Programme formulation is being finalized to start the entrepreneurship development programme called 'Start Your Business'. In addition, short-cycle vocational training will be implemented through both public and private training providers.

UNDP reports that international and national organizations are cooperating on a Cross-Sectoral Assessment which would employ a common methodology, assessment form and timeline to be conducted across the tsunami affected sub-districts in the province. The assessment will not only examine the needs of the affected populations but will also gather data on their
preferences for the future in terms of location, shelter, livelihoods, etc.
[Comment: This is KEY. Has anyone heard at what stage of planning this assessment is? I would be interested in methodology and learning also how involved TNI will be in conducting it. The results of this assessment will likely have serious implications for future reconstruction plans.]

Logistics
Air transport
During the next few weeks, United States military assets will be phased out, but enough helicopters will be kept in reserve for a limited time to address gaps. Requirements for U.S. helicopters have decreased in part due to better screening and prioritisation of needs by UN and also by replacement by UNHAS-operated helicopters.
[Comment: Again (see OCHA 1/2/05 and OCHA 3/2/05 reports), what is the precise change in the needs for transport of goods by NGOs and agencies over the last week or two. Are NGOs and Agencies currently using private haulers and if so might they find it better to use UNJLC offered resources (or UNHAS ones)?]

The UN has established the Subang Humanitarian Air Hub (SHAH) in Malaysia under WFP management. This inter-agency emergency response facility is expected to be operational until 28 February 2005. It is composed of three elements consisting of UNHRD (cargo movement, storage and handling), UNHAS (management of Humanitarian Air Service) and UNJLC (coordination of agency requirements, prioritisation of cargo). Cargo destined for Banda Aceh or Medan is being airlifted from Subang using the available aircraft and there is currently warehouse space available in Subang. Incoming cargo is shipped within 48 hours of arrival.

Airports
Banda Aceh: Fully operational.

Meulaboh: Airstrip cannot take heavier aircraft or full load.

Calang: There is no landing strip for fixed-wing aircraft. Two helipads exist. Lack of fuel limits possibility of using helicopters to access area around Calang, as aircraft must refuel in Banda Aceh.

Road transport
According to the USAID Disaster Assistance Response Team (USAID/DART), the Government of Indonesia has planned two phases of road repair in Aceh province. The first phase will last six to eight weeks and will link Banda Aceh to Lamno. In the second phase access from Meulaboh to Teunom will be restored; this phase is expected to take more time because the repairs require heavy equipment and the replacement of several bridges. Australian, Malaysian and Pakistani engineers have created a common pool of engineering expertise and assets for tasking.

Conditions of roads from Banda Aceh to Meulaboh are as follows:
Banda Aceh to Lamno: The bridge on the Banda Aceh-Lhonga route has been fixed by the Indonesian military (TNI), but the road is in bad condition and deteriorating rapidly.

Lamno to Calang: not open yet and repairs are planned by TNI.

Calang to Teunom: passable only as far as Panga, beyond which three destroyed bridges prevent passage to Teunom.

Teunom to Meulaboh: currently being repaired by TNI.

Land transport in and around Calang is limited to the services provided by twenty vehicles of the Indonesian Off-road Federation, whose presence is subject to alternative funding. No UN vehicles are operating in this area.

Lamno, situated 70 km south of Banda Aceh on high ground, has received thousands of displaced and is currently accessible for assessment only by air as roads are in a bad state of repair.
[Comment: Calang is where Indonesian marines have set up camp on the ruins of a village whose displaced former inhabitants are living on the steep slopes above their former homes, too scared to return and begin rebuilding their homes - see IFRC 1/11/05 assessment on Calang on top, note: there are recent articles in which Calang's former inhabitants complain about the presence of the Indonesian marines.]

Requirements for military escorts for humanitarian convoys beyond Medan remain in place. A Coordination Center of the Government of Indonesia (GoI), Posko, has been set up for giving the required authorizations to operate in Aceh. UNJLC is liaising with the GoI regarding vehicle access in more remote areas.
[Comment: access to remote areas still being debated with "GoI". Is that GoI or TNI? What about victims' needs first as a guiding principle? Should UNJLC be insisting on access if they believe some survivors in need of aid are currently in remote areas?]

Maritime transport
WFP, U.S. and France are using landing craft to offload relief aid in Calang. The Japanese Government is bringing in another landing craft. Many NGOs are using small fishing boats to access coastal communities. The U.S. Navy Mercy Hospital Ship is due to arrive on the west coast between Calang and Meulaboh on 3 February 2005. The ship can provide medical services and has a 250-bed ward that can be expanded to accommodate up to 1,000 patients.

Teunom port: access possible only for small boats because of debris in the river mouth.

Lamno: UNJLC to conduct an assessment of landing pad in the next 3-4 days.

Lhokseumawe port: operational.

As of 1 February 2005, a total of 8 IOM truck convoys have departed Jakarta via Medan to Banda Aceh. The total number of IOM trucks operating between Jakarta-Medan-Banda Aceh and Medan-Meulaboh stands at 267. Since the first deployment of trucks on 30 December 2004, IOM has moved and distributedsome 5,850 Metric Tons (MT) of relief items from Medan in north Sumatra to Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam Province. Of that total, IOM transported 1,070MT of relief goods to Meulaboh in convoys which began operating on 8 January 2005. IOM relief delivery routes also include Medan-Biruen, Medan-Nias and Medan-Lhokseumwe. IOM Banda Aceh's truck fleet currently comprises 40 trucks which are used to distribute relief goods in and around Banda Aceh for IOM, UN agencies and international and national NGOs.

Shelter
The first IOM temporary shelter unit is on its way to Banda Aceh and is expected to arrive in Banda Aceh on 5 February 2005. A team of shelter experts will assemble the unit and train and prepare IOM shelter crews to assemble the first 1,000 temporary shelter units.

UNHCR has been using Swiss helicopters in a shuttle operation to transfer 18 tonnes of shelter materials from its operational base at Calang on Aceh's west coast to the village of Krueng Sabe, 8km south of Calang, where an estimated 50 percent of its population were swept away by the waves, leaving some 4,000 people displaced. UNHCR airlifted by helicopters lightweight tents, plastic sheeting, hygiene kits and blankets for some 3,000 people. UNHCR is currently assessing transferring relief supplies to the severely hit village of Keude Panga, further south from Calang. In Teunom, some 60km north of Meulaboh, some 8,000 people have been displaced, 80 percent of them living with host families and the rest in damaged mosques, public buildings and tents. UNHCR is preparing to fly to the area some of the 250 "shelter boxes" donated by Rotary International from its satellite office in Meulaboh. Each box is for 10 people and contains blankets, a torch, a shovel, water purifying tablets, cooking and drinking containers.

Telecommunications
BAKORNAS reported that the rehabilitation of the telephone system in Banda Aceh was completed by 1 February 2005 and that 50 percent of electricity supply in Banda Aceh and 30 percent in Meulaboh have been restored. However, Calang and Temno remain out of electricity supply. Meanwhile, since the situation in Calang is still paralyzed, the District Government of Aceh Jaya has moved temporarily its capital to Lamno.

Water and Sanitation
WHO reports that a joint assessment of water and sanitation in temporary settlements in Banda Aceh found that there is still insufficient provisionof latrines, and that the provision of water needs to be improved to ensure a regular supply.

WHO, UNICEF and an Australian environmental health team have completed an assessment of the water, sanitation and health situation of displaced persons in Banda Aceh. They have reported various concerns including: irregular refilling of water tanks at camps; many tents are constantly damp; water containers in short supply; and minimum "Sphere" sanitation standards not being met. Overcrowding at latrines, toilets with blocked drains and waste water left on toilet floors were observed. A joint WHO/UNICEF assessment team has recommended that the construction oflatrines and the supply of potable water and clean water for washing should
be priorities when new IDP settlements are established.
[Comment: Why is the building of latrines being delayed until new IDP settlements are established? With all the funds donated to INGOs and the UN efforts/agencies you would think they could hire (locals; foreigners if necessary) to build latrines, right? And aren't plans for relocations contingent on cross-sectoral assessment to be conducted soon? Must latrines/sanitation wait until then?!]

Coordination mechanisms
The UN's Humanitarian Information Centre (HIC) is now online with a link to the Sumatra page (www.humanitarianinfo.org). The HIC is working closely with the Government to ensure that data on the impact of the tsunami and the subsequent response can be integrated into the reconstruction phase. The HIC is a key clearing house for information for the humanitarian community to assist with planning and coordination, and is producing reports and maps continuously. Current key documents include a new health location map for Banda Aceh, an updated Who does What Where, and an IDP summary report based on the above mission. A key role for the HIC is tohold a database of completed assessments.

A Joint Liaison Unit comprising Government, UN and key NGOs to improve coordination between the Government and the international humanitarian community is now functioning in Banda Aceh. In addition to this working level coordination structure, a Humanitarian Coordination Committee, chaired by BAKORNAS and the UN in Banda Aceh is to be established. Sectoral Working Groups would report to the Humanitarian Coordination Committee directly.

In Banda Aceh, the Sectoral Working Groups are meeting frequently to implement coordinated responses to the identified needs. In Meulaboh, a full coordination structure is in place. This includes daily general coordination meetings with Government, NGOs, and UN agencies, and sectoral working groups for all key sectors. Mapping and other data-gathering activities are fed into the HIC office in Banda Aceh.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) - recent/undated


Highlights
Today's information from National Coordination Board for Disaster Management (BAKORNAS) on the human toll for the disaster shows a slight increase in the number of bodies buried (101,199) and in the number of displaced people residing in spontaneous settlements (417,124) in Nanggroe Aceh Darusalam (NAD). BAKORNAS states that a further 260,000 are thought to be residing with extended families and community. Numbers will remain fluid whilst assessment work is incomplete. The significant movement between camps and host families is expected to continue.

BAKORNAS has advised agencies in Banda Aceh that it has begun registration of people in spontaneous settlements for the relocation site plan.

The UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Indonesia has visited Banda Aceh, Meulaboh and Calang to follow up on general coordination issues. In Calang, the Government (TNI) indicated that priorities for assistance were education-related items, diversified food and logistical assistance. The TNI welcomed a more permanent UN presence in Calang to reinforce the coordination of assistance. Infrastructure for a UN office is on its way, several UN agencies have staff on the ground already.
[Comment: See previous reports and comments about Calang, the presence of Indonesian marines, the dumping of aid in piles on the beach, reports that the TNI etc. are taking the best food etc., and the fear of survivors to return to their homes there.]

A WFP survey reveals that overall food prices in Banda Aceh and Aceh Besar have risen some 20% since the tsunami, with the exception of rice and fish which remain stable: rice supply is good owing to supply from non-affected areas. Fish is being avoided for fear of post-tsunami contamination.

Surveys will be conducted weekly. Several UN agencies, with Oxfam, World Vision, JRS and six local women's organizations are providing technical support to the Womens' Empowerment Bureau on issues such as shelter, protection of women and children and community participation.

On 27 January, 950 members of the Japanese Self Defence Force (JSDF) were deployed to Banda Aceh. The JSDF deployment of three ships, carrying two hovercraft and three helicopters, is the largest overseas military deployment since World War II. Some 3,000 foreign military personnel from 11 countries continue to be engaged in the relief operation on the ground, excluding the troops offshore.


Sectoral Developments
Health: The Ministry of Health (MOH)-WHO surveillance system is now receiving communicable diseases surveillance reports from 18 agencies working in the field. A joint WHO-UNICEF assessment of 50 priority IDPs camps in Banda Aceh revealed no immediate health issues. Access to clean water, sanitation and food is still a major problem.
[Comment: Surprising(?) results of on-going assessments.]

The Indonesian National Family Planning Coordination Board (BKKBN) and UNFPA report an increase in demand for contraceptives from displaced spontaneous settlements. In response a reproductive health program is underway. BKKBN reports there are 16,000 units of contraceptive-pills, condoms and injectable contraceptives in stock in NAD, significantly below demand. UNFPA is providing contraceptives along with equipment, medicines and supplies. Following the joint reproductive health assessment, an Action Plan for meeting emergency reproductive health needs has been developed.

No major disease outbreaks have been reported. There is an increased risk of dengue in Aceh and MOH, with UN support, is carefully monitoring the situation. The Government has sent 150 dengue rapid tests IgM and Igg to Aceh as contingency. Officials are also monitoring the situation with regard to malaria. The area is endemic for malaria.

The measles vaccination campaign has reached a total of 65,343 children or about 54.9% of the targeted population. Mobile clinics to cover Nagan Raya and Aceh Barat are being set up and the measles campaign in Sama Tiga and Meulaboh continues at pace. All children in camps along the west coast have been vaccinated against measles. Currently efforts are being made to reach children who are living outside the camps.

Work is underway in Meulaboh to establish a public health laboratory with the arrival of a lab specialist and much of the necessary equipment. A coordinator will commence work on 4 February to assist the MoH to consolidate all offers of assistance, identify gaps in structure and equipment. With support from AusAID the Ministry of Health is re-establishing medical supply distribution network in Banda Aceh. Support has included funding for infrastructure and equipment and a pharmaceutical and medical supply specialist to assist with development of an appropriate drug inventory management system; a list of essential supplies; and a procurement and transportation network.

Food and Nutrition: The pipeline for the diversified ration is now secure, with 75.6MT of vegetable oil and 51MT of canned fish now in Banda Aceh. Distributions of the full diversified ration have commenced. On 27 January, 6,278 beneficiaries in Jantho, Aceh Besar and 16,600 beneficiaries along the west coast received distributions. The Greenpeace ship Rainbow Warrior loaded with 70MT of commodities including rice, canned fish and biscuitsis en route to Lamno, where food distribution will take place with WFP cooperating partner ACF. WFP has made a local purchase of rice 20,000MT through BULOG from warehouses in regional districts close to operations.

Shelter: Two local NGOs, MBPI and IIDP have completed a rapid survey of IDPs in Jantho Sub-District. The survey results identified 1,000 people in need of emergency shelter out of a total of 5,200 displaced registered by the district authorities. International Relief and Development (IRD) began work on 24 January preparing a site given by the district authorities in Jantho.

In Lamno, the number of displaced is estimated at 14,000 of which 3,500 are living with host families and the rest in spontaneous settlements. Tents, blankets and kitchen sets were distributed by UNHCR to host families as well as IDPs. It is believed that new arrivals have come from Calang by boat and some from the villages around Lamno. UNHCR is coordinating efforts with NGOs, including World Vision and Action Against Hunger to provide temporary shelter. Assessments on the situation of women and children in Lamno are ongoing.
[Comment: Refugees are coming from Calang while above the GoI (TNI) report that the most pressing needs there are education materials! On the face of it then, this report would have us believe that victims of tsunami are fleeing Calang for better 'educational opportunities'.]

Education: The Rapid Assessment of Learning Spaces (RALS) was launched in Banda Aceh on 26th January. While the distribution of school supplies has already commenced, based on the pre-tsunami school populations, the RALS will help to identify school and teacher populations post-tsunami, look at the condition of existing structures and identify water supply and sanitation concerns. It is intended that the RALS will be conducted in all schools in all the affected districts.

Water and Sanitation: A review of all water tankering operations in Banda Aceh is to commence imminently, as a first step to improving coverage of urgent needs that are not being addressed. In Meulaboh, the IRC have constructed latrines and rehabilitated wells in Alue Bilie, Darul Makmur sub district and Nagan Raya district. With the help of MCA they transported 10,000 litres of water to Alue Bilie and are struggling to get a continuous flow of water to the affected area.

Livelihoods: The livelihoods sector coordination group in Banda Aceh is establishing common guidelines for cash-for-work, defining common parameters for cash grants and micro-finance, as well as drafting "Guiding Principles" for livelihoods interventions in coordination with local authorities and international organizations supporting livelihood activities.

Media: The UNESCO media assessment has been completed. Local media has been hard hit by the disaster. More than 20 commercial radio stations on the coast of Aceh were destroyed or seriously damaged. Many staff members are either reported dead or missing and many stations have lost their owners. The print media has also lost numerous staff members. Significant and sustained resources will be required to re-establish pre-tsunami capacity. During the mission the team conducted a three-day workshop on radio program production techniques for making programs on the search for and reunification of family members, post-trauma and strengthening the coverage of rescue operations and communication of humanitarian information. Urgently needed equipment was also provided for stations presently on air.

Logistics
Road: With support from UNDP and Panglima Laut, displaced people have started work with the Australian Army engineers to assist them in clearing the way for infrastructure repair on vital bridges in Banda Aceh. The total number of IOM trucks operating between Jakarta-Medan-Banda Aceh and Medan-Meulaboh currently stands at 267. IOM has moved and distributed some 5,850 Metric Tons (MT) of relief items from Medan to Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam Province. Of that total, 1,070MT went to Meulaboh. Relief good delivery routes also include Medan-Biruen, Medan-Nias and Medan-Lhokseumawe.

Air: The UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) has finalized arrangements for the operation of 7 helicopters (2 provided by TNT, 3 MI-8 provided by DFID and 2 MTV) to distribute relief supplies in Aceh province, operating from Banda Aceh. Another helicopter will be based in Medan. This cargo-dedicated fleet for the UN and its implementing partners will be complemented by additional fixed wing aircraft capacity for regional passenger travel. All assets will be operating by early next week. This increased capacity means a significant reduction of the dependence of the civilian international relief operation on military assets.

Communications: IBM will be establishing a wireless network in Banda Aceh on Wednesday (with a range of 30km) for the benefit of the entire humanitarian community; a second site will also be established at a site to be decided upon along the west coast of Sumatra

Customs: A guide to customs procedures for humaniarian (sic) agencies is available from the UNJLC.

For the latest comprehensive report regarding logistics, please see UNJLC's latest situation report at www.unjlc.org

Useful websites
Government:


Other:

For detailed information please contact:
Michael Elmquist
Chief, OCHA Indonesia
Tel. 62 21 314 1308
Fax. 62 21 319 00 003
Mobile 62 811 996 594

Syalomi Natalia
Emergency Response Officer
Tel. 62 21 314 1308
Fax. 62 21 319 00 003
Mobile 62 812 100 2065

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) - Feb. 3, 2005

Ref: OCHA/GVA - 2005/0023
OCHA Situation Report No. 24
Earthquake and Tsunami
Indonesia, Maldives, Sri Lanka

Main Highlights

The Government of Indonesia reports the end of the first phase of the emergency relief operation in Aceh province.

INDONESIA

Situation Update

Latest information from National Coordination Agency for Disaster Management (BAKORNAS) indicates that the total number of displaced people in Nanggroe Aceh Darusalam (NAD) has decreased from 426,849, reported in Situation Report number 23, to 412,438 as at 3 February, due to the nature of IDP movements. The number of displaced people from Nias Island has been identified as 4,000 people.

The Government of Indonesia reports that the first phase of the emergency relief operation in Aceh province has ended and that recovery and reconstruction in tsunami-affected areas will begin. However, it was emphasized that food and medical supplies are still needed for the more than tens of thousands of survivors living in isolated communities.
[Comment: Seems to be some momentum towards ending the "emergency" phase of this operation. But the facts on the ground point to an on-going emergency.]


Sectoral Developments

Assessments
ICRC conducted a full sanitation assessment of spontaneous settlements in Banda Aceh and Aceh Besar. They concluded that the latrines were built too close to water treatment plants and did not reach SPHERE standards. Participants at the Open Humanitarian Briefing agreed to consult SPHERE standards which are available at the HIC in English, Indonesian and French.

According to UNICEF, a template for initial and ongoing nutrition surveillance in Aceh has been prepared following on from the baseline survey undertaken in Banda Aceh and Aceh Besar District. Five randomly selected sites in nine districts will be surveyed and an effort has been made to assure ongoing surveillance by local health staff and NGOs after the initial activity, through their participation in baseline training and field work and through provision of supplies.

Health
WHO, CDC, and UNICEF staff conducted a brief assessment of malaria and dengue risk in Banda Aceh. No significant vector populations were found in the devastated area, probably due to water pollution and lack of human or animal hosts in the immediate vicinity. However, at the edge of areas affected by tsunami-related floods, large numbers of anopheline malaria vectors were found. To date, Anopheles subpictus has been identified, though Anopheles sundaicus may also be present, as collections were made from typical habitats of this species. Aedes vectors of dengue were also observed biting and were collected from container habitats. The presence of dengue vectors in this environment is expected; the risk of dengue is ever-present, irrespective of the tsunami event.

The Government of Japan has offered USD 343,439 for the mobile clinic project proposed by the Muhammadiyah Youth. The clinic is to provide medical services and accelerate the recovery and revitalization of people's life in Aceh.

Food and Nutrition
WFP is working with its implementing partners to deliver food assistance to 370,000 beneficiaries and its total cumulative dispatches as of Thursday (03/02/05) stood at over 8,193MT.

A WFP mission will spend several days on the west coast south of Meulaboh (area between Tapaktuan and Singkil) to establish beneficiary numbers and commence food distribution urgently. Discussions will include local Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) with whom WFP has agreed to work in Aceh.

WFP is in talks with the GoI about an emergency school feeding programme in the tsunami-affected areas of Aceh province. The MoH has requested WFP to take the lead in supplementary feeding programmes not only for schoolchildren but also pregnant women and nursing women and children aged 1 to 5 years old.

The USAID Disaster Assistance Response Team (USAID/DART), MoH, UNICEF and CARE International discussed the result of a recent MoH/UNICEF rapid nutrition assessment, conducted in 19 sites in Banda Aceh and Aceh Besar, which indicated significant levels of diarrhoeal diseases and global acute malnutrition (42.6 % and 12.7 % respectively) and low immunization rates among the population surveyed. Recommendations include improving water and sanitation conditions, ensuring the distribution of a diverse food basket,
implementing supplementary feeding programs, improving vaccination coverage, and initiating nutritional surveillance system.
[Comment: DELAYS. Results of rapid nutrition assessment which showed widespread malnutrition are discussed. Hmmmm. And, WFP will spend days doing another assessment. Hmmm. But not in the isolated communities to which access continues to be negotiated with TNI (oh, I forgot, GoI), but on the West Coast. Should relief operations not be amped up to get food to isolated communities and to do simultaneous assessments?]

UNICEF is also supporting a team of 10 staffs from the Indonesian Lactation Centre from Jakarta to work with local health staffs and communities in Aceh on appropriate feeding for infants and young children, emphasizing breast feeding, complementary feeding, sanitation and hygiene. The team will work amongst the population who have lost homes and at community level for at least one week, possibly longer on the west coast where people are
more isolated.

Education
Regarding to the opening of schools, the Ministries of People's Welfare, Education and Religious Affairs announced four key policies. Firstly, school children from schools destroyed by the earthquake and tsunami are to be integrated into nearby remaining schools, despite the difficulties this may cause. Secondly, urgent replacement of teachers who are missing or displaced will include the recruitment and training of 3,000 teachers as well as the use of volunteer teachers. Thirdly, school uniforms and shoes will not be required for children to attend school. Lastly, schools will be used as an entry point for other much needed support for children in the areas of health, protection, psychosocial care, water and sanitation.

Joint teacher training in emergency education is being planned by the Departments of Education and Religious Affairs with the support of UNICEF, Save the Children and other NGOs.

The Government is working with the World Bank, UNICEF and other international agencies to assess and plan for the medium term rehabilitation and reconstruction of schools. UNICEF will also be a key partner in the reconstruction of primary schools affected by the tsunami and earthquake.

Water and Sanitation
Australian Defense Force engineer and environmental health teams have commenced operations in some of Banda Aceh's displaced persons camps to address critical needs. The focus is on basic sanitation and shelter requirements in selected camps as well as delivering assistance to camps housing those Acehnese worst affected by the tsunami.

City Cleaning
The local authorities have been provided to date with 45 pieces of heavy equipment and 116 operators in two crews, for clean-up operations in Banda Aceh, supported by UNDP. A third crew is being provided with 10 pieces of heavy equipment plus 25 dump trucks.

Child Protection
Based on UNICEF's estimation, 2.5% of the population who lost homes are separated/ unaccompanied children, of which less than 0.3% are unaccompanied. The total number of unaccompanied children is therefore estimated at 10,000 (assuming a total affected population of 400,000). Total estimate of children who are separated, unaccompanied, orphaned or lost one parent is 35,000 by Department of Social Welfare.

At this stage, it is difficult to predict the exact number of orphans before exhausting the tracing process (to try to trace the parents of the separated and unaccompanied children). Only 2 to 3% of the registered children have seen the body of their parents and the vast majority don't know the status of their parents. Most of them are being taken care of by family members, neighbours or members of their community.

Livelihoods
Labour intensive rubble clearing with support from UNDP has been scaled up to approximately 2,200 people, across a number of locations throughout Banda Aceh, including the General Hospital, the psychiatric Hospital, the military airport in Banda Aceh and a number of other public facilities in the area. In addition, UNDP has established its presence in Meulaboh and is employing 120 people in initial cash for work activities.

ILO is establishing an emergency public employment services centre in Banda Aceh as of this week, based at the Dinas Tenaga Kerja (DISNAKER's) training centre, with support from UNDP. The core functions of the emergency employment assistance service will include registering and advising job seekers matching jobs and job seekers, collecting and disseminating labour
market information, and planning and managing special employment and training measures.

FAO has fielded to Aceh two emergency coordinators and one agronomist, as well as a fisheries advisor, 2 master fishermen, a boat builder and an ice plant/cold room specialist.
[Comment: Apparently Sri Lankan livelihood rehabilitation programs/funding are much more advanced.]

Coordination
Following the nomination by the Ministry of Health (MoH) of WFP as the Agency responsible for Supplementary Feeding activities in Aceh, WFP participated on 3 February in the first meeting of the Government of Indonesia (GoI)-led 'Nutrition Surveillance Task Force'. The objective of the meeting was to finalise the nutrition surveillance proposal for Aceh Province. Special attention was given to the methodology, sampling design, indicators, software package, and resources. Indicators cover nutrition, health, access to health services, food consumption, as well as the household food security situation. The surveillance system will be under the responsibility of the Provincial Health Department and the MoH supported by the partners present. It is planned that the joint Government/Inter-Agency Nutrition Surveillance System will continue throughout the implementation of the GoI's five years nutrition and health rehabilitation programme in Banda Aceh. The Nutrition Surveillance Task Force will be established in Banda Aceh next week and it is expected that training of enumerators will start in mid-February.

Logistics - Telecommunication
Additional to the grant for a mobile clinic in Aceh, the Government of Japan has released a USD 19,058 grant to support the communication flow of Radio Suara Aceh. The radio provides information for the reunification of separated and unaccompanied children with their family members and generally disseminates humanitarian information in Aceh.

Three radio rooms were established in Banda Aceh, Meulaboh and Medan, providing security telecommunications support as per UN standards. Radio repeater channels are established in Banda Aceh and Meulaboh. Under UNICEF's project, data connectivity is established in Banda Aceh for UN agencies and establishment of the same facility is currently ongoing in Meulaboh.

BAKORNAS reported that 8 FM Radio Stations are now operating in Banda Aceh. These stations include RRI Studio mini Banda Aceh (Frekwensi 88.5 MHz), Radio Siaran Asifa FM (Frekwensi 90,8 MHz), Radio Siaran Visi FM (Frekwensi 98.1 MHz), RRI Studio Mini (Frekwensi 97.. MHz), Radio Siaran Baiturahman FM (Frekwensi 98.5 MHz), Radio Siaran Suara Aceh FM (Frekwensi 99 MHz), Radio Siaran Sapa FM (Frekwensi 106.5 MHz), Radio Siaran Muhamadiyah (Frekuensi 107.6 MHz).

Transport - Airports
Banda Aceh: Fully operational.

Meulaboh: Airstrip cannot take heavier aircraft or full load.

Calang: There is no landing strip for fixed-wing aircraft. Two helipads exist. Lack of fuel limits possibility of using helicopters to access area around Calang, as aircraft must refuel in Banda Aceh.

Land - Conditions of roads from Banda Aceh to Meulaboh are as follows:
Banda Aceh to Lamno: The bridge on the Banda Aceh-Lhonga route has been fixed by the Indonesian military (TNI), but the road is in bad condition and deteriorating rapidly.

Lamno to Calang: not open yet and repairs are planned by TNI.

Calang to Teunom: passable only as far as Panga, beyond which three destroyed bridges prevent passage to Teunom.

Teunom to Meulaboh: currently being repaired by TNI.

Land transport in and around Calang is limited to the services provided by twenty vehicles of the Indonesian Off-road Federation, whose presence is subject to alternative funding. No UN vehicles are operating in this area. Lamno, situated 70km south of Banda Aceh on high ground, has received thousands of displaced and is currently accessible for assessment only by
air as roads are in a bad state of repair. UNJLC is liaising with the GoI regarding vehicle access in more remote areas.
[Comment: DELAYS: more liaising. Shall we ask straight on: What is the responsibility of humanitarian aid agencies/NGOs to get relief/goods to survivors, when there is a likelihood that those victims/survivors are living in areas held by guerillas? Does the possibility of aid falling into the hands of guerillas justify withholding aid or delaying aid to areas in which victims are living (or are likely living)?]

Maritime: WFP, U.S. and France are using landing craft to offload relief aid in Calang. The Japanese Government is bringing in another landing craft. Many NGOs are using small fishing boats to access coastal communities. The U.S. Navy Mercy Hospital Ship on the west coast between Calang and Meulaboh can provide medical services and has a 250-bed ward
that can be expanded to accommodate up to 1,000 patients.

Teunom port: access possible only for small boats because of debris in the river mouth.

Lamno: pending outcome of UNJLC's assessment of landing pad.

Lhokweumawe port: operational.

For the latest comprehensive report regarding logistics, please see UNJLC's latest situation report at www.unjlc.org

Useful websites
Government:

Other:

Posted by Bebeth at 5:58 p.m.

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