Indonesia - OFDA-02: 20-Aug-02

U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT BUREAU FOR DEMOCRACY, CONFLICT, AND HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE (DCHA) OFFICE OF U.S. FOREIGN DISASTER ASSISTANCE (OFDA) Indonesia - Complex Emergency Situation Report #2, Fiscal Year (FY) 2002 August 20, 2002

Note: the last situation report was dated 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 the Government of Indonesia (GOI)'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 Indonesia Affected Source Total population 212,092,000 World Health Organization (WHO) Internally Displaced World Food Program (WFP) Total as of June 10, 2002 1,413,708 Aceh 13,210 Central and East Java 205,242 Central Sulawesi 58,185 Madura Island 80,000 Maluku 256,204 North Maluku 204,117 North Sumatra 94,411 Papua 16,870 West Kalimantan 41,073 West Timor 30,000 Total FY 2002 USAID/OFDA Assistance to Indonesia $4,506,179 Total FY 2002 USG Humanitarian Assistance to Indonesia $10,095,572 CURRENT SITUATION General On July 23, 2001, Megawati Sukarnoputri succeeded Abdurrahman Wahid as the President of Indonesia. Under the direction of President Megawati, the GOI stated that it intends to decentralize the government; institute economic, political, and administrative reforms; and resolve the internally displaced persons (IDP) issue by the end of 2002. The international community generally welcomed these GOI initiatives and is hopeful that these efforts will help to ease the humanitarian crisis. On November 26, 2001, 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 requests 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 in Maluku. Living conditions have deteriorated and public services, such as health, transportation, education, water, and sanitation have been severely disrupted in affected areas. Although overall tensions have decreased since the signing of the February 2002 peace accord, the stability has been disrupted by sporadic violence. 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 256,000 IDPs are being met through local resources and assistance from the GOI and international relief community. North Maluku Security Situation. During recent months, there has been a continued decline in tensions in North Maluku, allowing the return of IDPs to many parts of the province. Humanitarian Situation. As of June 2002, WFP reported that at least 204,000 IDPs still remain 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. Although the basic needs of IDPs in North Maluku are generally being met, shelter reconstruction remains a priority for many of those returning home. Central Kalimantan/Madura Island Security Situation. Kalimantan region has experienced several decades of civil unrest. Instability has been caused largely by resentment between local Dayaks and Malays and the Madurese who were settled in Central 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. During February 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 June 10, 2002, WFP reported that at least 80,000 IDPs still reside on Madura Island. The majority of IDPs live with host families in over-crowded conditions. In villages where significant numbers of IDPs have settled, local resources have been severely strained, and there are doubts about the long- term ability of affected communities to host new arrivals. Adequate shelter and livelihood opportunities remain a concern. The outlook for the return of Madurese to Central Kalimantan in the near future remains doubtful, as local Dayaks actively resist the return of Madurese. West Kalimantan Security Situation. Tensions between Madurese settlers and local Dayaks and Malays have occasionally erupted into violence in West Kalimantan. In 1999, Malays attacked Madurese villages in the Sambas Regency of West Kalimantan, which resulted in the displacement of at least 60,000 Madurese, who fled 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. Humanitarian Situation. As of June 10, WFP reported that more than 41,000 IDPs still remain in West Kalimantan. On December 15, 2001, GOI authorities halted healthcare assistance to IDPs residing in the Pontianak area of West Kalimantan. In addition, on March 22, 2002, GOI authorities began to encourage IDPs to dismantle the temporary shelters at the IDP camps and move to new settlement areas. The GOI is providing an incentive package to IDPs who voluntarily relocate to designated settlement areas. Central 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 killed, and approximately 70,000 residents displaced in the areas of Poso and Tentena. Both Christian and Muslim militias, including those from outside Sulawesi, have been implicated in the violence. During June and July 2001, following the upholding of death sentences for three Christian militia leaders convicted of instigating riots during April 2000, 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 25,000 to 30,000 newly displaced people. Fighting again escalated in November 2001, prompting the GOI to intervene with the deployment of more than 2,000 of its troops. Although tensions have decreased since the signing of the December 20, 2001, peace agreement, the cease-fire has been disrupted by sporadic violence. Humanitarian Situation. Central Sulawesi continues to host more than 58,000 IDPs, as a result of sporadic violence and ongoing tensions between Muslim and Christian groups. Except for some remote areas, most basic needs among the displaced living in IDP camps and host communities are being met through local sources and international humanitarian assistance. However, shelter reconstruction remains a priority for many of those returning or resettling. Aceh Security Situation. Since Indonesian independence in 1945, 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 petroleum and natural gas reserves in Aceh by the GOI, and limited GOI investment in Aceh of profits from the province's abundant natural resources. Since 1999, the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) and the GOI have been engaged in negotiations over issues of autonomy. During June 2000, both the GOI and the GAM agreed to a humanitarian pause, which led to a notable decrease in violence. However, the conflict again escalated in early 2001, resulting in the increased displacement of people within Aceh and to the neighboring province of North Sumatra. Humanitarian Situation. Violence during 2001 resulted in at least 1,200 deaths and an increasing number of IDPs. WFP reports that there are currently an estimated 13,000 IDPs in Aceh and at least 94,000 IDPs from Aceh in North Sumatra. Many IDPs are living in scattered camps, while others have sought refuge in the jungle or other remote areas. Humanitarian needs assessments in Aceh have been limited outside the provincial capital due to security constraints. However, many IDPs are reportedly living without 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 GOI's military forces have occurred. In an effort to address demands 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 national anthem, to change the name of the province from Irian Jaya to Papua, and to extract 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 forced to flee as a result of local conflict and others who have sought refuge in Papua from neighboring affected provinces. West Timor Security Situation. A mob, including East Timorese militia members and supporters, killed three UNHCR staff members in Atambua on September 6, 2000. The killings resulted in the cessation of U.N. and international humanitarian assistance efforts in West Timor. Since this incident, the GOI has taken a more active role in addressing security concerns. As of February 2001, several international relief organizations, working through local staff, had resumed their humanitarian assistance programs. Humanitarian Situation. According to the U. N. Transitional Administration in East Timor's census survey conducted in February, more than 200,000 East Timorese refugees have returned to East Timor since the aftermath of the 1999 independence referendum in East Timor and the ensuing violence. Many of the refugees returned in advance of East Timor's independence, which occurred on May 20, 2002. However, approximately 30,000 refugees remain displaced in camps or in villages in West Timor. Although the refugees received assistance from the international relief community and the provincial government prior to the September 2000 killings of UNHCR staff, this assistance was greatly reduced as the U.N. placed West Timor on a Phase V security status and suspended all operations. The GOI continued providing food assistance until December 2001. The suspension of GOI assistance, coupled with this year's poor agricultural harvest raises concern about potential food shortages. GOI has been encouraging the repatriation of remaining East Timorese refugees and has offered Rp 750,000 (US $70) to each family who will repatriate. The GOI also announced that all East Timorese refugees still living in West Timor after December 31, 2002 will lose their refugee status and be considered Indonesian citizens. USG HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE On October 11, 2001, U.S. Ambassador Robert S. Gelbard redeclared a disaster for the ongoing complex emergency. In renewing the disaster declaration, which was originally issued in May 1999, U.S. Ambassador Gelbard cited the continuing political and economic crises, as well as the 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 the affected provinces, conducts needs assessments in areas where the humanitarian situation is most dire, and provides emergency relief assistance where required and appropriate. In September 2000, USAID/OFDA posted an Emergency Disaster Response Coordinator (EDRC) in Jakarta to assist USAID/Indonesia in the monitoring of humanitarian needs and to coordinate USAID/OFDA emergency humanitarian assistance to disaster-affected areas. In FY 2001, USAID/OFDA provided program funds for IDP assistance totaling nearly $5.4 million. Some of the programs funded during FY 2001 continue in FY 2002. Since March 2002, USAID/OFDA provided assistance to Indonesia through an additional six grants: 1) $190,000 to Action Contre La Faim/France (ACF/F) to implement water and sanitation projects for IDPs in North Maluku; 2) $253,000 to World Vision International (WVI) to initiate basic community rehabilitation projects and distribute hygiene kits and subsistence fishing equipment to IDPs in North Maluku; 3) $377,000 to CARE for the provision of shelter materials and seed and tools for IDPs in Central Sulawesi; 4) $210,000 to Catholic Relief Services (CRS) to support subsistence agriculture projects and basic community rehabilitation projects for IDPs in West Kalimantan; 5) $256,000 to WVI to implement basic community rehabilitation projects and distribute seeds and tools to IDPs in West Kalimantan; 6) $400,000 to UN OCHA in response to the U.N. Consolidated Appeal for Indonesia IDPs. Since the last Indonesia situation report on February 26, 2002, USAID/OFDA has provided more than $1.6 million in emergency relief aid. In FY 2002, USAID/Office of Transition Initiatives (USAID/OTI) is providing assistance to Indonesia through 247 grants to local NGOs, valued at more than $5.5 million. USAID/OTI's program areas include civil society, civil/military relations, community stabilization, democracy and governance, and local media initiatives. During FY 2002, Department of State's Bureau for Population, Refugees, and Migration (State/PRM) is providing approximately $2 million in regional assistance. The program supports refugee reintegration and emergency relief activities throughout the region, including Indonesia, through international organizations such as United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). In addition, State/PRM also provided more than $2.3 million to the joint U.N.- GOI Appeal "Solutions for East Timorese Refugees", which will go toward grants addressing the needs of the more than 30,000 East Timorese refugees remaining in West Timor. U.S. GOVERNMENT HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE TO INDONESIA Agency Implementing Partner Sector Regions Amount FY 2002 USAID $10,095,572 USAID/OFDA $ 4,506,179 ACF-F Shelter, seeds/tools, and non-food items (NFI) Maluku and North Maluku $131,500 ACF-F Water/sanitation North Maluku $190,000 CARE Shelter and seeds/tools Central Sulawesi $377,000 CRS Basic community rehabilitation projects and subsistence agriculture projects West Kalimantan $210,000 CWS Shelter, water/sanitation, and NFI Central and Southeast Sulawesi $570,717 IMC Health services and water/sanitation Madura Island $378,000 IMC Health services and water/sanitation West Kalimantan $457,450 IMC Water/sanitation and NFI Aceh and North Sumatra $255,600 International Rescue Committee Water/sanitation and NFI Aceh $178,300 Mercy Corps Shelter, water/sanitation, basic livelihoods, and NFI Maluku $848,612 UN OCHA Contribution to the U.N. Consolidated Appeal for Indonesia IDPs Indonesia $400,000 WVI Basic community rehabilitation projects and seeds/tools West Kalimantan $256,000 WVI Basic community rehabilitation, livelihood projects, and hygiene kits North Maluku $253,000 USAID/OTI $5,589,393 247 partners Civil society, civil/military relations, community stabilization, democracy and governance, and local media Indonesia Total USG Humanitarian Assistance to Indonesia in FY 2002 $9,191,403 distributed by - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Center for International Disaster Information Volunteers in Technical Assistance web: www.cidi.org listserv: www.cidi.org/listsub.htm - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - comments/suggestions/requests to incident@cidi.org