OCHA Situation Report No. 2 Indonesia - Earthquake 06 June 2000
Situation and Damages 1. Estimates of damage caused by the strong earthquakes which hit the province of Bengkulu, southwest Sumatra, Indonesia late at night on 4 June 2000, are on the increase. According to the United States Geological Survey, strong aftershocks measuring 4-6 on the Richter scale are continuing. The media reports that the quakes have caused several landslides in the south of the province. So far there has been no report of a tsunami caused by the quakes. 2. Latest media reports indicate that more than hundred people have been killed, over half of them in the provincial capital, Bengkulu. Due to bad weather, the break down in communications and roads blocked by landslides, authorities have not yet reached remote parts of the province, including Enggano island which is situated near the epicentre of the quakes and 177 kms south of Bengkulu city. Here 90% of the houses have been reportedly flattened. According to a national news agency, the quakes have caused an estimated IDR 50 billion (around USD 6.8 million) of material losses. Electricity will not be restored until next week. Bengkulu airport is operational for small aircraft during daytime. 3. According to the Ministry of Health, surgical equipment and tents, emergency medicines and medical personnel are urgently needed. The Ministry will send a needs assessment team on 6 June. National and International Response 4. Two Indonesian naval ships will sail tomorrow with emergency supplies. The Indonesian Red Cross office in Bengkulu is assisting local authorities in a damage and needs assessment. 5. According to the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Jakarta, Bakornas PB has indicated that the Government would welcome international assistance. The Office of the UN Resident Coordinator is in close contact with the relevant governmental authorities with a view to obtaining further information on the disaster. 6. The Government of Singapore has decided to dispatch a 20-member Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) medical team, together with emergency supplies and tents worth around USD 29,000 to Bengkulu. 7. On 6 June IFRC launched a preliminary appeal for CHF 5,353,933 (approximately USD 3.2 million) to assist 140,000 beneficiaries, or almost 10% of the population of the affected area with immediate relief, including shelter materials (plastic sheeting and blankets), water and sanitation, first aid kits, basic drugs and household kits. IFRC will carry out an immediate assessment to reinforce the Indonesian Red Cross's efforts. This appeal will be followed by a full appeal once needs assessments have been completed and more detailed information becomes available. 8. OCHA deployed a 6-person United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team to Indonesia to assist the UN Resident Coordinator, the UN Disaster Management Team (UN-DMT) and the Government in dealing with the emergency. One team member is already in situ while the other team members will arrive in Bengkulu on 7 June. The team will be supported in its work by two experts from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. 9. OCHA is in close contact with the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator and the UNDAC team, and will revert with further information. 10. This situation report, together with further information on ongoing emergencies, is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at http://www.reliefweb.int Telephone: +41-22-917 1234 Fax: +41-22-917 00 23 In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10 Desk Officers: Ms. S. Metzner-Strack / Mr. R. Mueller / Mr. S. Matsuka Direct Tel. +41-22-917 21 44 / 31 31 / 40 34 Press contact: (in GVA) Mr. Donato Kiniger-Passigli, direct (in N.Y.) Tel. +41-22-917 26 53 Ms. Phyllis Lee, direct Tel. +1-212-963 48 32 distributed by - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Volunteers in Technical Assistance Disaster Information Center lists: www.vita.org/listsub.htm sitreps nat-dsr web: www.vita.org fireline - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -