Indonesia - OCHA Consolidated Situation Report No. 48
26 October - 02 November 2001
MALUKU
General Situation
Amien Rais, Speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) criticized the
government on Saturday (27 Oct.) for not being "serious in its efforts" to find a solution
for the prolonged conflict in Maluku. He said he was deeply concerned because the
government had not yet taken any concrete steps to solve the Christian-Muslim
conflicts.
Machinegun, small arms fire and bomb explosions were heard in several parts of the
city over the past week but there were no reports of any civilian casualty. A group of
some 30 Brimob (police mobile brigade) officers randomly beat up civilians in the
Benteng area, apparently in connection with the fatal beating of one of their
colleagues on 23 October. They also opened fire on a TNI post.
Laskar Jihad leader Jafar Umar Thalib ended his visit to Ambon with a call for Muslims
in Maluku to consolidate their efforts to meet the challenges facing the community
during the fasting month (Ramadan). During a meeting with Muslim leaders on
Saturday (27 Oct.), he stated that he would continue to fight for the implementation of
Syariah law throughout Indonesia.
Hundreds of people attacked the predominantly Christian village of Waimulang on
Buru Island Thursday (1 Nov.), killing three and burned down almost all 350 houses in
the village. The attack, launched from land and sea (using at least 14 vessels) in the
early morning, forced some 1,000 villagers to flee into the nearby jungle. The
attackers were reported to have stayed put and occupied the village. There are already
around 4,000 IDPs in the camps in the mountainous terrain nearby.
The trial of Alex Manuputty, accused of flying a separatist flag, continues in Ambon.
There are concerns that the final verdict may cause security problems between the
Muslims and Christians.
Assessment
An MSF-B team concluded the health assessment in East Seram, which revealed
that the communities in the area lack access to medical care.
A water and sanitation officer from AcF arrived in Ambon this week to assess IDP
communities from Buru Island, who are now living with relatives in Southwest Ambon.
Food
The final round of general food distribution for 50,000 beneficiaries in Ambon Island is
expected to be completed by Friday (2 Nov.).
AcF started distributing seeds and tools to 610 households in North Seram on Friday
(2 Nov.), and additional non-food assistance such as blankets, stoves, mats, and
plates to 18 vulnerable households.
With the support of AcF, Mercy Corps and UNRC Ambon, the actors in the fields of
food and economic development met on Thursday (1 Nov.) to discuss common issues
and concerns which they plan to raise with the government.
Health and Nutrition
A UNICEF team arrived in Namlea, Buru Island to conduct a two-week "Future Search
Workshop", which aims at planning and discussing with local counterparts on how
best to implement the "Safe Motherhood Programme" in the next five years.
MSF-B continues to implement the "Mobile Clinic, Hygiene Promotion and Health
Education Programme" in Ambon island and East Seram which aims at providing
added services to patients.
MSF-B also plans to start an Outreach Programme in West Seram, East Seram, and
South Buru. The programme would include supplying the Puskesmas (community
health centres) with medicines, refresher courses to health workers, identifying and
training medical workers, and collecting and analysing data on health problems.
MSF-B also provided four hospitals in Ambon city with essential drugs and supplies.
Three newly recruited doctors (two surgeons and one general practitioner) by IMC
arrived in Ambon this week. A total of 5 doctors will be recruited and assigned to Tual,
Masohi, Saparua, Namlea, and Tobelo in North Maluku.
In Ambon, the local health authorities are finalising the findings from the primary
health care services assessment of the entire province. This assessment was carried
out by both Muslim and Christian health teams.
Water & Sanitation
Due to government's arrears, PT Deram Sukses, the local water company, stopped
water supply on Thursday (1 Nov.) in four IDP camps in Karang Panjang. Other IDP
camps, which are supplied by the same company, may face similar problems in the
next few days if no agreement is reached between the water supplier, the government,
the IDPs, and other agencies that are working in this sector. A meeting is scheduled
by the Governor before the weekend to discuss this issue.
Others
USAID/OTI agreed to extend funding of the NGO Centre for another six months. The
Centre is presently managed by Mercy Corps and provides computers, email,
facsimile, and meeting room facilities to NGOs in both communities. It is also a
meeting area for the two communities (Muslims and Christians).
NORTH MALUKU
IDPs
The government reported that as of 21 October 82 Muslim IDPs have returned from
Ternate to their original villages in Gamsungi of Tobelo sub-district.
Food
The government of Kuwait provided 1,000 packages of food assistance to IDPs in
North Maluku province.
Health
WHO supported a malaria outbreak investigation in Kayoa islands, and helped with
laboratory material, capacity building and logistics.
A Health as a Bridge to Peace workshop will be held in Ternate on 5 November. The
participants are Muslim and Christian health care providers.
WHO is supporting a mental health needs assessment in all of North Maluku as of 8
November.
MDM treated 314 patients in seven villages in Ibu sub-district.
IMC provided routine support to health services at each Puskesmas (community
health centre) of Tobelo, Galela, Kao, Daruba & Posi-Posi Rao of South Morotai and
Bere-Bere of North Morotai sub-districts. IMC doctors treated 455 patients.
WVI is completing arrangements for a health-training programme at IDP camps in
Ternate City.
Water and Sanitation
MDM support and provision of water and sanitation services continued during the
week in villages of Jailolo, and Ibu sub-districts of North Maluku district.
Reconstruction & rehabilitation
WVI distributed roofing kits for 420 families in Malifut, Kao, Tobelo and Galela
sub-districts.
Following an assessment of reconstruction and rehabilitation needs, conducted three
weeks ago in Gane Timur, Bacan and Jailolo sub-districts, AcF distributed
reconstruction materials to beneficiaries in villages of Gane Timur sub-district this
week. AcF has registered some returnee communities in Jailolo and Bacan
sub-districts for distribution of seeds and tools next week.
Jailolo sub-district head said returnee families from eight villages of the sub-district
received a total amount of Rp481 million (approx. US$48,000) to support them building
190 houses.
This report and all previous ones can be found on OCHA's website at
www.reliefweb.int
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
UN Building 4th Floor
Jl. MH. Thamrin 14
P.O. Box 2238, Indonesia
FAX: (62-21) 319-0003
PHONE: ( 62-21) 314-1308, Ext. 215, 151, 125
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