U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
BUREAU FOR DEMOCRACY, CONFLICT, AND HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE
OFFICE OF U.S. FOREIGN DISASTER ASSISTANCE (OFDA)
Indonesia - Complex Emergency
Situation Report #1, Fiscal Year (FY) 2002    February 26, 2002


BACKGROUND

For many decades, Indonesia has experienced religious conflict and ethnic
violence in several regions of the country. Since 1999, serious conflict
and population displacement have occurred in the Moluccas, Kalimantan,
Sulawesi, Aceh, Timor, and Papua (formerly known as Irian Jaya),
exacerbated by Indonesia's political and economic crises. Conflict in each
of these regions also has been fueled by resentments stemming from
Indonesia's now-abandoned transmigration policy, which increased tensions
between local populations and transmigrants relocated from overcrowded to
less populated areas. Other contributing factors to the conflict include
separatist movements, 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

On January 23, 2002, the World Food Program (WFP) reported that there are
more than 1.3 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) throughout
Indonesia.  This estimated total IDP population includes more than 260,000
IDPs in Maluku; at least 200,000 IDPs in North Maluku; more than 189,000
IDPs in Central and East Java; approximately 301,000 IDPs in Sulawesi;
more than 12,000 IDPs in Aceh and more than 48,000 IDPs from Aceh in North
Sumatra; over 16,000 IDPs in Papua; and an estimated 80,000 East Timorese
refugees in West Timor.

Total FY 2002 USG Assistance (To Date)  $5,144,638




CURRENT SITUATION

General

On July 23, 2001, Megawati Sukarnoputri succeeded Abdurrahman Wahid as the
President of Indonesia. Under the direction of President Megawati, the
Government of Indonesia (GOI) has said that it intends to decentralize the
government; institute economic, political, and administrative reforms; and
resolve the IDP issue by the end of 2002.  The international community has
generally welcomed these GOI initiatives and has been hopeful that these
efforts will help to ease the humanitarian crises. On November 26, the
United Nations Development Program (UNDP) launched a consolidated appeal
to assist the GOI in addressing the needs of the IDPs and their host
communities.  The appeal asks for more than $40 million to support
multi-sectoral humanitarian activities that encourage IDPs to return home,
resettle, or relocate.


Maluku

Security Situation.  Sectarian conflict began in January 1999, leading to
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, several hundred thousand displaced, and the widespread
destruction of homes, shops, places of worship, and public buildings.
Particularly hard hit has been the provincial capital and main island of
Ambon. Living conditions have deteriorated and public services, such as
health, transportation, education, and water/sanitation, have been
severely disrupted in affected areas.  Some areas of Maluku, especially
Ambon, are still separated into sectarian enclaves, but tensions are
slowly decreasing and the security situation has improved in recent
months.

Humanitarian Situation.  Muslim and Christian communities remain divided
in Ambon, while many IDPs around Maluku continue to live in precarious and
insecure conditions.  However, the critical humanitarian needs of most of
Maluku's 260,000 IDPs are being met through local resources and relief
assistance from the GOI and international community.


North Maluku

Security Situation.  During recent months, there has been a general
decline in tensions in North Maluku, allowing the return of IDPs in many
parts of the province.

Humanitarian Situation.  As of the end of January 2002, there were still
at least 200,000 IDPs in North Maluku.  A major challenge for provincial
authorities is to facilitate the return of IDPs who have fled North Maluku
to other areas of Indonesia.  Basic needs of IDPs in North Maluku are
being met, although shelter reconstruction remains a priority for many of
those returning home.


Kalimantan

Security Situation.  Kalimantan has experienced several decades of civil
unrest, caused largely by resentment between indigenous Dayaks and
Madurese who were settled in Kalimantan under the now-abandoned
transmigration policies of the GOI. In addition, economic competition and
ethnic discrimination have contributed to the tensions between Dayaks and
Madurese.  Much resentment also stems from the extraction of logging and
mining resources by multi-national companies with little perceived benefit
to the local population.

Tensions between Dayaks and Madurese have occasionally erupted into
violence.  In 1999, Dayak attacks on Madurese in West Kalimantan resulted
in the displacement of at least 60,000 Madurese to the provincial capital
of Pontianak.  The influx to Pontianak increased tensions in the area, and
under pressure from Dayak and Malay communities, the GOI began resettling
the Madurese IDP population to outlying areas of the province during 2001.
In early 2001, Dayak attacks in Central Kalimantan caused several hundred
deaths and the flight of more than 80,000 Madurese to Madura Island and
other parts of Java.

Humanitarian Situation.  On Madura Island, immediate humanitarian needs of
IDPs (including water/sanitation, health, food security, basic shelter,
and hygiene) are being met by international relief organizations, the
local community, and the GOI.  In villages where large numbers of IDPs
have settled, however, local resources have been severely strained, and
there are doubts about the long-term ability of affected communities to
host the newcomers.  In West Kalimantan, GOI authorities announced that
all health care provided to IDPs in the Pontianak area would cease on
December 15, 2001 and that IDP camps would be dismantled beginning March
2002. The GOI has offered an incentive package to IDPs who voluntarily
relocate to designated settlement areas.  As of January 30, 2002,
approximately 2,200 families have opted to move, with more expected in
coming months.


Sulawesi

Security Situation.  Since December 1998, Central Sulawesi has experienced
sectarian conflict. During April 2000, civil unrest in the region resulted
in destruction or damage to more than 5,000 homes and public buildings, an
estimated 250 deaths, and approximately 70,000 people displaced in the
areas of Poso and Tentena. Both Christian and Muslim militias, including
those from outside Sulawesi, have been implicated in the violence. In June
– July 2001, following the upholding of death sentences for three
Christian militia leaders convicted of instigating the April 2000 riots, a
period of relative calm was broken in Poso when attacks on villages in the
surrounding area were renewed. Houses, temporary barracks, and mosques
were burned, resulting in a new round of displacement. Fighting again
escalated in November 2001, prompting the GOI to intervene with the
deployment of more than 2,000 troops.  On December 20, 2001, a peace
agreement was brokered and has resulted in a ceasefire.

Humanitarian Situation.  Sulawesi remains host to more than 300,000 IDPs,
generated by sporadic violence within Sulawesi and in neighboring
provinces.  Among these are approximately 90,000 displaced by fighting
within Central Sulawesi and 110,000 displaced from Maluku who have sought
refuge in Southeast Sulawesi.  More than 40,000 IDPs from North Maluku
have sought shelter in North Sulawesi.


Aceh

Security Situation.  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 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.  Since early 2001, the conflict has
escalated, resulting in increased displacement within Aceh and to
neighboring North Sumatra.

Humanitarian Situation.  Violence in 2001 has resulted in at least 1,200
deaths (including many civilians) and an increasing number of IDPs.  WFP
reports that there are approximately 14,000 IDPs in Aceh and at least
48,000 IDPs from Aceh in North Sumatra.  Many IDPs live in scattered camps
while others have sought refuge in the jungle or other remote areas.
Humanitarian assessment in Aceh has been limited outside the provincial
capital due to security constraints.  However, many IDPs reportedly lack
basic services or access to livelihoods.


Papua (formerly known as Irian Jaya)

Security Situation.  Pro-independence activities by organizations such as
the Free Papua Movement continue, and violent confrontations with local
militias and the military have occurred.  In an effort to address
pressures for independence, the Indonesian House of Representatives passed
a bill on special autonomy for Irian Jaya on October 22, 2001.  The new
law became effective in January 2002.  The law grants Papuans the right to
create their own flag and anthem, to change the name of the province from
Irian Jaya to Papua, and to reap a greater share of profits from the sale
of locally-mined natural resources.

Humanitarian Situation.  According to WFP, more than 16,000 people remain
displaced in Papua, including those displaced as a result of local
conflict and those that have sought refuge in Papua from other provinces.


West Timor

Security Situation.  A mob including militia members and their supporters
killed three UNHCR staff members in Atambua on September 6, 2000. The
killings resulted in the cessation of U.N. and international assistance
efforts in West Timor.  Since this incident, the GOI has taken a more
active role in addressing security concerns.  Many international relief
organizations have resumed their humanitarian assistance programs.

Humanitarian Situation.  Since October 1999, UNHCR and the International
Organization for Migration have assisted in the repatriation of
approximately 188,646 IDPs by land, air, and sea. However, at least 50,000
still remain displaced in camps or in villages in West Timor, in the
aftermath of the 1999 independence referendum in East Timor and ensuing
violence.  The provincial government has been providing limited relief
assistance to the displaced population, with additional assistance coming
from the international relief community.  The GOI is encouraging
repatriation of the remaining displaced East Timorese population.  On
December 31, 2001 the GOI announced that it would cease assisting those
who remained in West Timor.



U.S. GOVERNMENT (USG) HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE IN FY 2002

On October 11, 2001, 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 crises and
violent conflicts that continue to generate widespread population
displacement and urgent humanitarian needs.

In response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Indonesia, USAID/OFDA
continues to monitor developments in affected provinces, conduct
assessments in areas where the humanitarian situation is most dire, and
deploy 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.


USAID/OFDA

In FY 2001, USAID/OFDA provided program funds for IDP assistance totaling
almost $5.4 million. Some of the programs funded during FY 2001 remain
ongoing in FY 2002.

International Medical Corps (IMC) - provided medical and water/sanitation
interventions to IDPs on Madura Island $378,000 IMC - provided
water/sanitation and health services to IDPS in West Kalimantan $457,450
International Rescue Committee - expanded water and sanitation facilities
and provided non-food relief items in Aceh. $178,300 Mercy Corps
International (MCI) - funded quick impact projects, focusing on shelter,
water/sanitation, and livelihoods through local NGOs in Ambon, Maluku
$848,612 Action Contre La Faim – provided essential relief supplies,
including hygiene items, seeds and tools, basic shelter materials, and
fishing equipment to IDPs in Maluku and North Maluku $131,500 Church World
Service - provided basic shelter, water/sanitation, and essential non-food
items for IDPs and other conflict-affected families in Central Sulawesi
and Southeast Sulawesi $570,717


Total FY 2002 USAID/OFDA $2,566,579


USAID/Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI)

In FY 2002, USAID/OTI is providing assistance to Indonesia through 144
grants to local NGOs. USAID/OTI's program areas include civil society,
civil/military relations, community stabilization, democracy and
governance, and local media initiatives.

Total FY 2002 USAID/OTI $2,578,059


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

In FY 2002, State/PRM plans to provide approximately $2 million in
regional assistance.  The program supports refugee reintegration and
emergency relief activities in Indonesia through international
organizations such as UNHCR and the International Committee of the Red
Cross. State/PRM also provided more than $2.3 million to the joint U.N.-
GOI Appeal "Solutions for East Timorese Refugees".


*TOTAL FY 2002 USG Assistance (To Date)  $5,144,638

*These funding figures do not reflect State/PRM contributions to UNCHR and
ICRC for regional assistance, and the U.N.-GOI Appeal for refugees in West
Timor, valued at more than $4.3 million.



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