OCHA Situation Report No. 3
Indonesia: Fires and Haze
Sumatra & Kalimantan
16 October 2006


This situation report is based on information received from the United 
Nations Resident Coordinator's Office in Jakarta and media reports.

I.  SITUATION

1.  During the last week, based on data provided by the Ministry of 
Forestry, significant number of hotspots and land fires were still 
detected in Jambi (Muaro Jambi and Tanjung Jabung Timur districts), in 
South Sumatra (Ogan Komering Ilir, Banyuasin, and Musi Banyuasin 
districts), West Kalimantan (Ketapang district), Central Kalimantan 
(Kota Waringin Timur, Kota Waringin Barat, Pulang Pisau, Seruyan, and 
Sukamara districts) and South Kalimantan (Banjar and Hulu Sungai Selatan 
districts).

2.  According to the State Ministry of Environment, air quality in some 
parts of Riau, Jambi, South Sumatra, West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan 
and South Kalimantan provinces remains at dangerous levels.

3.  National media quoted the State Minister for the Environment stating 
that during 2006 (January - October), 35,000 hectares of land 
plantations and forests have been burnt in the country.  Media however 
have also reported that in South Sumatra province alone, approximately 
55,000 hectares of land and forests have already been burnt, causing an 
estimated financial loss of IDR 129,7 billion (approx. US$14 million).

II.  NATIONAL RESPONSE

4.  With haze continuing to blanket parts of Sumatra and Kalimantan 
islands, Singapore and Malaysia, BAKORNAS PB in cooperation with BPPT, 
plans to resume cloud seeding and water bombing operations.  Three 
Hercules planes are currently on stand-by to further conduct cloud 
seeding operations, with one each in Jakarta for South Sumatra province, 
one in Banjarmasin for Central Kalimantan and South Kalimantan 
provinces, and one in Padang for Jambi province.  For water bombing 
operations, preparations continue at the technical level.

5.  The Indonesian Military (TNI) and Police have deployed personnel to 
assist fire fighters suppress fires from the ground from various 
sources.

6.  The Indonesian National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN) 
continues providing weather situation reports and fire danger 
information. The Indonesian Meteorological Services also continues to 
provide information on the weather situation in the affected areas.

III.  INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE

7.  On 13 October 2006, a Sub-Regional Ministerial Meeting on 
Transboundary Haze Pollution was held in Pekanbaru, capital of Riau 
province.  Ministers and other high-ranking officials from Brunei 
Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand attended the 
meeting. Nine provincial governors from Indonesia, representatives from 
ten districts in Riau province, as well as representatives of the ASEAN 
Secretariat were also present as observers.  The meeting discussed 
measures that haze-affected ASEAN countries will need to undertake. 
Important decisions have been taken, namely to;

(a) Urge the Government of Indonesia to ratify the ASEAN Agreement on 
Transboundary Haze Pollution in accordance with its national law;

(b) Hold a regional workshop in Indonesia in early November 2006 that 
will look into new measures tackling the haze problem. This will include 
seeking international expertise so as to develop a comprehensive plan of 
action with effective monitoring and reporting mechanisms;

(c) Set up a Ministerial Steering Committee to oversee the 
implementation of short and long-term plans to effectively tackle the 
haze problem.  The Committee will involve the Environment Ministers from 
Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.

8.  The UN RC/HC Office in Indonesia continues to monitor the situation.

Telephone: +41-22-917 12 34
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org

In case of emergency only:
Tel. +41-22-917 20 10

Desk Officer:
  GVA - Mr. Guido Galli, Direct Tel. +41-22-917 3171
  NYC - Ms. Ah-Young Kim, Direct Tel.  +1-212-963 5131

Press contact:
  GVA - Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, Direct Tel. +41-22-917 26 53
  NYC - Ms. Stephanie Bunker, Direct Tel. +1-212-963 87 40

Field Office: Indonesia
  Mr. Abdul Haq Amiri, Direct Tel. +62 213141308
  Ms. Regina Rahadi, Direct Tel. +62 213141308

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