U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
BUREAU FOR HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE (BHR)
OFFICE OF U.S. FOREIGN DISASTER ASSISTANCE (OFDA)
Indonesia - Complex Emergency
Situation Report #1, Fiscal Year (FY) 2001   May 15, 2001


BACKGROUND

For several decades, Indonesia has experienced political conflict and
ethnic violence in several regions of the country.  Since 1999, serious
conflict and population displacement has occurred in the Moluccas,
Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Aceh, Timor, and Irian Jaya, exacerbated by
Indonesia's political and economic crisis.  Conflict in each of these
regions has been fueled by resentments over Indonesia's recently abandoned
policy of transmigration, through which residents of Java and other
heavily populated islands were re-located to less populated areas.  Other
contributing factors to the conflict include a lack of resource
distribution and real or perceived social inequities in past government
policies.  A summary of the current humanitarian situation in the more
volatile regions of Indonesia is provided below.


NUMBERS AFFECTED AT A GLANCE

Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs): As of April 16, 2001, the U.N. World
Food Program (WFP) reports there are about 1.2 million IDPs throughout
Indonesia.  The approximate total population of IDPs located in the more
volatile regions of Indonesia, where USAID/OFDA is monitoring the
situation or providing humanitarian assistance, is broken down to include
at least 415,000 IDPs in the Moluccas; nearly 100,000 evacuees from
Kalimantan to Central and East Java (approximately 80,000 on Madura
Island); 300,000 IDPs in Sulawesi; 25,000 people displaced within Aceh and
35,000 IDPs from Aceh to areas of North Sumatra; at least 16,600 IDPs
within Irian Jaya; and approximately 50,000 - 100,000 East Timorese IDPs
in West Timor.

Total FY 2001 USAID Assistance to Indonesia Complex Emergency $10,149,023



CURRENT SITUATION

Moluccas

- Continued insecurity.  Sectarian conflict began in January 1999, leading
to the substantial dislocation of populations in the Moluccas and the
issuance of a "state of civil emergency" for the region.  Since 1999,
clashes between Christian and Muslim populations in the Moluccas have
resulted in at least 4,000 deaths, hundreds of thousands displaced, and
the widespread destruction of homes, shops, places of worship, and public
buildings.  Particularly hard hit have been Ambon (in Maluku Province) and
Halmahera (North Maluku Province), where living conditions have
deteriorated and public services, such as health, transportation,
education, and water/sanitation, have been severely disrupted.

- Humanitarian situation.  Despite a general decline in violence in recent
months, more than 400,000 IDPs remain sheltered in IDP camps, public
buildings, or with local populations.  Many IDPs continue to live in
precarious and often insecure conditions.  However, most of the immediate
needs of the IDPs, including food security, shelter, and basic health, are
being met by humanitarian organizations or through local resources.


Kalimantan

- Escalation of ethnic violence in Central Kalimantan.  For several
decades, Kalimantan has experienced civil unrest because the indigenous
population has not accepted the settler populations generated by the
transmigration policies of the central government in Jakarta.  Economic
competition and ethnic discrimination have contributed to resentments
among the indigenous population toward the settlers.  In the past, several
revolts have resulted in the displacement of thousands of people, hundreds
of deaths, and human rights abuses. A recent escalation in violence
occurred during March and April 2001, when indigenous Dayaks attacked
Madurese migrants in Central Kalimantan.  The violence quickly spread from
Sampit to nearby towns, resulting in more than 500 deaths and
approximately 100,000 evacuees.  Most of the IDPs fled Kalimantan for
Madura Island and other locations in Central and East Java.  Currently
there are about 62,000 IDPs at Sampang and another 17,000 at Bangkalan,
both on Madura Island.  According to U.N. reports, Dayak gangs continue
to target Madurese migrants and burn homes in Kalimantan to prevent those
who have fled from returning home.

- Humanitarian situation.  Despite the sudden influx of at least 100,000
Madurese IDPs to their ancestral home on Madura Island and other nearby
locations on Java, the immediate humanitarian needs of the new arrivals
(including water/sanitation, health, food security, basic shelter, and
hygiene) are being met by humanitarian organizations, the local community,
and the local government.


Sulawesi

- Escalation of sectarian violence in Central Sulawesi.  Since December
1998, Central Sulawesi has experienced sectarian conflict.  During the
spring of 2000, civil unrest in the region resulted in destruction or
damage to more than 5,000 homes and public buildings, more than 250
deaths, and more than 70,000 people displaced in the area of Poso and
Tentena.  More recently, in April 2001, sectarian violence again flared
between Muslim and Christian communities in Poso.  This was directly
attributed to the trial and resulting death sentences for three men
accused of plotting the civil clashes during the spring of 2000.  In the
resulting conflict, more than 2,000 IDPs sought refuge in Palu.

- Repatriation and resettlement efforts.  According to U.N. reports,
Sulawesi remains host to more than 300,000 IDPs generated by sporadic
violence both within Sulawesi and in neighboring provinces.  Many are IDPs
from North Maluku who have sought shelter in North Sulawesi.  Information
about the condition and humanitarian needs of IDPs throughout Sulawesi is
limited.  IDPs who have sought refuge in Sulawesi from violence in other
provinces have created new tensions with local residents.


Aceh

- Continued insecurity due to increased clashes between pro-independence
movements and GOI security forces.  Since Indonesian independence, Aceh's
relationship with the GOI has been strained.  This tension has been fueled
by anger over alleged GOI military and police abuses, perceived
exploitation of oil and gas reserves in Aceh by the GOI, and limited GOI
re-investment in Aceh of profits from the province's natural resources.  
Since 1999, the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM) and the GOI have been
engaged in negotiations over prospects for autonomy.  A Humanitarian
Pause, beginning in June 2000, led to a notable decrease in violence.  
However, negotiations between the GAM and the GOI have recently faltered.  
In March 2001, the GOI officially declared the GAM a separatist movement,
dismissing limited autonomy for Aceh as a possible solution to the
conflict.  Also, the Indonesian military (TNI)  announced a limited
offensive against the GAM in Aceh, effectively ending the cease-fire
agreement.  In mid-April, a presidential decree was issued authorizing the
military to restore law and order in the province.

- The humanitarian situation in Aceh continues to deteriorate.  According
to U.N. reports, 25,000 IDPs are displaced within Aceh and another 35,000
IDPs from Aceh (mainly ethnic non-Acehnese) have moved to locations in
North Sumatra.  Media reports indicate that more than 400 people have been
killed in Aceh this year.  Most IDPs continue to live in scattered camps,
while some have sought refuge in the jungle or other remote areas.  Since
the implementation of village sweeps by GOI security forces and the
systematic burning of buildings during March, many of the IDPs do not have
homes to return to, nor do they have access to their former livelihoods.


West Timor

- Continued displacement of East Timorese.  In the aftermath of the 1999
independence referendum in East Timor and ensuing violence, approximately
50,000 - 100,000 East Timorese remain displaced in squalid IDP camps or
among villagers in West Timor.

- Humanitarian situation.  Insecurity remains high due to the continued
presence of East Timorese pro-integration militias among the IDP
population in West Timor.  The provincial government has responded to
humanitarian needs with some limited support, but this support has not
been sufficient to fully meet basic needs.

- Repatriation and resettlement efforts.  On September 6, 2000, three U.N.
High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) staff members were killed in
Atambua by militia members and their supporters.  The U.N. has stated it
will not return international staff members to West Timor until the U.N.
Security Council deems the security situation to again be satisfactory.  
To date, the U.N. Security Council has not scheduled an assessment of the
security situation in West Timor.  Nevertheless, the U.N. has periodically
visited displaced populations in West Timor to encourage repatriation to
East Timor.  Since the beginning of the year, the International
Organization for Migration (IOM) has facilitated the repatriation of more
than 12,000 East Timorese.


Irian Jaya (West Papua)

- Pro-independence movements.  Pro-independence activities by
organizations such as the Free Papua Movement and violent confrontations
with the military have become increasingly prominent in Irian Jaya.  This
has led to the displacement of thousands of people.  The pro-independence
movement continues to gain strength, fueled by human rights abuses and
lack of local control over natural resources.

- Humanitarian situation.  According to U.N. reports, at least 16,600
people remain displaced in Irian Jaya, including those displaced as a
result of conflict within Irian Jaya and influxes of IDPs from other
regions.


U.S. Government (USG) Humanitarian Assistance

- On October 13, 2000, U.S. Ambassador Robert Gelbard renewed the disaster
declaration for the ongoing complex emergency in Indonesia.  In renewing
the disaster declaration, which was originally issued in May 1999,
Ambassador Gelbard cited the continuing political and economic crisis, and
violent conflicts that continue to generate widespread population
displacement and humanitarian need.

- In response to the FY 1999 - FY 2001 disaster declarations, USAID/OFDA
has monitored developments in volatile provinces, conducted assessments in
areas where the humanitarian situation has been most dire, and deployed
emergency relief assistance where needed and appropriate.

- In September 2000, USAID/OFDA posted an Emergency Disaster Response
Coordinator (EDRC) in Jakarta to assist USAID/Jakarta in the monitoring of
humanitarian needs in Indonesia, and to coordinate USAID/OFDA emergency
assistance to disaster-affected areas.

- Insecurity and violence continue to hamper humanitarian relief efforts
and the ability of the USG to provide assistance in many regions of
Indonesia.



- USAID/OFDA Assistance

World Vision International (WVI) - provided basic shelter and essential
household items to IDPs in Madura.  $218,404

CARE International - provided basic shelter, seeds, and agricultural tools
to IDPs in Central Sulawesi  $546,800

Action Contre La Faim (ACF) - provided essential relief and hygiene items,
seeds and tools, basic shelter, and fishing implements for IDPs in Maluku
and North Maluku Provinces.  $780,000

WVI - provided hygiene kits to IDPs in Madura  $254,000

International Medical Corps (IMC) - provided medical and water/sanitation
interventions; including primary health, transport, and storage of potable
water, and trauma management for IDPs in Madura  $302,600

Mercy Corps International (MCI) - funded quick impact grants through local
NGOs in Ambon, Maluku Province in the shelter, non-food commodities, and
water/sanitation sectors  $1,532,634

IMC - provided primary health outreach for IDPs and conflict-affected
communities in North Maluku  $780,680

Total USAID/OFDA FY 2001       $4,415,118



- USAID/Food For Peace Assistance

To date, no emergency assistance to report for FY 2001



- USAID/Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI)  Assistance

USAID/OTI is providing assistance through 96 grants in Indonesia during FY
2001.  Areas of assistance include programs in civil society,
civil/military relations, community stabilization, governance, and media.


Total USAID/OTI FY 2001 $2,342,373

- USAID/Office of Population, Health and Nutrition (PHN) Assistance

ACF - provided supplemental feeding to IDPs located in both North and
South Maluku $300,000

WVI - conducted supplemental and therapeutic feedings to IDPs located in
North Maluku, West Kalimantan, and Madura $1,091,532

Save the Children Foundation - provided psycho-social activities to
returnees in Aceh $1,500,000

U.N. World Health Organization - conducted polio vaccinations in Maluku,
Irian Jaya, Aceh, and West Timor $500,000

Total USAID/PHN FY 2001 $3,391,532


- U.S. Department of State's Bureau for Population, Refugees, and
Migration (State/PRM)  Assistance

In FY 2001, State/PRM is providing approximately $2 million in regional
assistance in support of refugee reintegration programs and emergency
relief activities in Indonesia through International Organizations
including the UNHCR and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Total State/PRM FY 2001      $2,000,000


- Department of Defense Assistance 
To date, no emergency assistance to report for FY2001

TOTAL USG Humanitarian Assistance FY 2001    $12,149,023



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