India, Indonesia, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Seychelles, Somalia: Earthquake and Tsunami OCHA Situation Report No. 7
Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Date: 30 Dec 2004
Ref: OCHA/GVA - 2004/0195
OCHA Situation Report No. 7
Earthquake and Tsunami
India, Indonesia, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Seychelles, Somalia
Preliminary estimates on requirements were presented on 29 December 2004 by a number of UN Country Teams in Indonesia, Maldives, Sri Lanka for an immediate USD 130 million. A consolidated regional UN Flash Appeal is scheduled to be launched next week.
(The figures quoted in this report are official government figures).
INDIA
Situation
The death toll has reached a figure of 7,330. This might go up as 5,900 people are still missing persons/feared dead in the Nicobar group of islands. A total of 1,035 villages have been affected.
UN Response
UNFPA committed USD 50,000 for the initial emergency response.
UNICEF’s supplies have begun moving out to relief camps: 2,175 water storage tanks of 500 litres capacity to relief camps in Chengalpattu, Thirukalukundram, Villupuram, Kanyakumari, Nagapattinam, Cuddalore and Pondicherry; 300 water storage tanks are also being sent to Kerala; 1,200 water cans of 10 litres capacity are being sent to Pondicherry and Karaikal; 1,900 kgs of bleaching powder to Nagapattinam, Cuddalore, Kanyakumari, Pondicherry/Karaikal;3 million chlorine tablets – one million each for the districts of Nagapattinam, Cuddalore and Kanyakumari; 70,000 oral rehydration packets to Nagapattinam, Cuddalore, and Kanyakumari.
UNDP will focus on district information collection using their National UNV programme.
WHO will focus on disease surveillance and planning of disease prevention at district level as well as provide support related Measles, Vitamin A and Oral Rehydration Salt (ORS).
WFP will provide basic food assistance to Kerala and one district in Tamil Nadu.
UNHCR has seconded their staff in Chennai to UNICEF and UNDP has seconded one staff member in Chennai to UNICEF.
FAO is monitoring the fishery sub sector situation using among other sources of information the Bay of Bengal fishery project.
INDONESIA
Situation
As of early 30 December, the Department of Social Affairs reported that the number of victims in Aceh and North Sumatra is 45,276 persons. There are, however, indications that the number of people killed might be significantly higher. More than 50,000 houses were badly destroyed in Bireun.
Requirements
The UN Country Team has made a list of preliminary estimates (pending completion of assessments) for UN Agency projects in Indonesia amounting to USD 40.1 million.
According to Aceh Kita, a local NGO based in Jakarta, manpower and logistics are urgently needed. Based on the information from the Department of Health, the following items are the priority needs for immediate distribution: food, public kitchens, medical supplies, and debris clearing services. According to OCHA staff on mission to Aceh, clean drinking water and food (such as vegetables) are urgently needed.
UN Response
Key coordination processes were determined and a UN base camp will be established for 90 people at Banda Aceh within two weeks. A joint UNICEF, WHO, UNFPA and Ministry of Health operations centre has been established to coordinate the tracking and delivery of health logistics. It will also coordinate international NGO and local NGO’s in health relief.
A UN Joint Logistics Centre will be established for three weeks both at the central level and at Banda Aceh.
UNFPA committed USD 50,000 for the initial emergency response. UNFPA will be conducting a rapid assessment of reproductive health needs within next two days. UNFPA will provide reproductive health kits to meet the immediate needs.
A UNICEF child protection team and Ministry of Social Welfare will leave for Banda Aceh on 3 January to assess child protection issues. A UNICEF senior Water and Sanitation adviser will depart for Aceh on 1 January.
An FAO team composed of an Emergency Coordinator and a fishery expert have been sent to reinforce the local FAO office capacity. FAO plans to allocate funds (USD 400,000) to assist the most affected sub-sectors (fishery and agriculture) in North Sumatra and Aceh.
MALDIVES
Situation
According to the Government, some two thirds of the population are affected, with 100,000 severely affected. 54 people have been confirmed dead and the figure is expected to rise. There is preliminary data on damage and needs about all of the 200 inhabited islands, but this will have to be substantiated during planned field visits. Drinking water sources are contaminated and the salination of the soil is killing the vegetation.
Requirements
The UN Country Team has made a list of preliminary estimates (pending completion of assessments) for UN Agency projects in Maldives amounting to USD 19.1 million.
The Government of Maldives (GoM) has requested sanitary pads, hygiene kits, water supply, water purification tablets and safe delivery kits.
UN Response
The UN Country Team will be focusing primarily on the provision of water, food, ORS and transport. Each agency has been given the responsibility for priority items, WHO focusing on medical supplies and UNDP on water, communication, transport and logistics. UNFPA will procure safe delivery kits for the 4,000 expecting mothers and UNICEF food, shelter and non-food items.
UNFPA committed USD 50,000 for the initial emergency response. An initial supply of emergency kits amounting to USD 25,000 has been sent to the Maldives. UNFPA will work with UNICEF on the provision of supplies for hygiene/sanitation (including sanitary napkins). UNFPA intends to concentrate on reproductive health needs.
UNICEF provided immediate assistance in Male to some 200 children evacuated from two islands.
SRI LANKA
Situation
Affected population latest figures released by the Government are as follows:
27,268 deaths
889,175 displaced, of those, 280,541 living in 778 camps
4,916 missing
12,482 injured
79,100 houses completely destroyed
Requirements
The UN Country Team has made a list of preliminary estimates (pending completion of assessments) for UN Agency requirements in Sri Lanka amounting to USD 68.2 million.
As per the latest assessments undertaken, needs are the following: water and sanitation facilities, food supplies, primary health care, clothing, basic shelter material, fishing equipment is needed as well as mosquito nets.
The Sri Lanka Ministry of Foreign Affairs established a 24 hour Hotline for all enquiries related to international donations from abroad: + 94 53 61 938.
UN Response
UNFPA Humanitarian Response Unit offered USD100,000 for the pooled UN agency contribution to the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) as well as USD150,000 for immediate response. UNFPA headquarters staff members were deployed to support the country office in carrying out reproductive health assessments, and developing a response plan. At the request of the Ministry of Health (MoH), UNFPA provided 25,000 personal hygiene packs for women and girls amounting to USD160,000. An initial shipment of basic reproductive health supplies is being deployed. UNFPA is planning to deploy local staff to the most affected districts to assist in coordination efforts.
UNICEF staff in Trincomalee, Ampara and Batticaloa continue to help ferry the wounded and the dead to area hospitals. UNICEF made available 10,000 bed sheets, towels, drinking water bottles, cooking utensils sets and mats to assist the displaced and stranded. These are being dispatched on a priority basis to Mullaitivu, Ampara and Matara – some of the worst affected areas. Further procurement is being processed with a total value of USD350,000.
UNHCR has been distributing non-food items, and plastic sheeting from existing in-country stocks. The Disaster Relief Network (DRN) has set up operation at the airport in Colombo and signed an agreement with the Government of Sri Lanka to receive all incoming relief commodities.
The Government Task Force for coordination agreed on the physical set-up of a National Operations Coordination center which would address coordination and information management issues relating to the emergency and reconstruction/rehabilitation phases of the disaster. In addition the centre will provide vital links to other coordination and information management centres such as those established by the Ministry for Health; Ministry for Social Welfare; UN OSOCC and Reception centre and others.
THAILAND
Situation
According to the Government of Thailand, 1,681 died, 8,951 have been injured and 4,265 are reported missing (these figures include both Thai and foreign tourists).
Requirements
According to the Government, updated needs and requirements are as follows:
Body bags and formaldehyde as well as preserving chemicals, forensic experts, freezer containers for storing bodies (preferably mobile), dried or canned food and rice, clothes, shoes, sandals, underwear, pants and sanitary napkins, medicines (especially anti-diarrhoea, anti-biotic and anti-sceptics), first aid kits, dressing sets, gauze and bandages, power generators, communication equipment, and water purifiers
UN Response
UNFPA committed USD 50,000 for the initial emergency response. UNFPA deployed mobile clinics in some provinces and are assessing whether additional assistance is required.
UNICEF will identify with national and local partners needs for immediate support as well as start a rapid assessment as part of the UNDAC-mission. UNICEF will focus their response on four provinces - Ranong, Phang-Nga, Trang and Satun. Local UNICEF staff have begun working with provincial authorities to assess the needs of children. UNICEF will deploy a team of 20 pediatricians next week and are looking to deploy additional local staff to their target provinces.
FAO staff has been recruited to strengthen the local office capacity. FAO plans to allocate funds (USD 400,000) to assist the most affect sub-sectors (fishery and agriculture) in the worst affected areas. UNDP has established an Emergency Relief Fund. This fund is for UN contributions to support the Government’s response. UNDP has put USD100,000 into this account. Following Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ request, OCHA provided the UNDP office with USD 50,000 to purchase body bags and formalin. UNDP will send 1,000 body bags and 2,000 kg of formalin to Phuket.
WFP is providing USD 500,000 for local food procurement and distribution for affected populations (will support an estimated population of 150,000).
WHO is seeking to mobilise forensic teams and support Ministry of Health (MoH) efforts.
UNESCO will focus on education and their World Heritage Committee will assess damage to relevant areas.
ILO will focus on longer-term rehabilitation and employment.
ADB has offered to redirect unused loans to support the Government’s rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts. World Bank has also offered Government support for immediate and medium term relief and reconstruction through the redirection of unused loans. The World Bank in London is establishing a Tsunami Trust Fund for regional response.
SEYCHELLES
Situation
The extreme tidal movements of 26 December caused substantial damage to the coasts of the inner granite islands of the Seychelles archipelago. Severe flooding caused damage to road infrastructure, fishing infrastructure, public utilities, the agricultural sector, schools, housing, reclaimed land and tourism establishments.
Linked to that, on 29 December torrential rains lashed the northern part of the main island of Mahe, devastating homes and roads.
The President of the Republic has appealed for international assistance to complement national efforts in addressing and coping with the calamity. The Government invited the OCHA mission that is in the region to come to the Seychelles as early as possible to evaluate the situation.
SOMALIA
Situation
The UN field office reported 110 deaths.
UN Response
A UN aerial assessment of the northeast Somali coastline took place on 30 December, and a debriefing of this assessment team is planned for 31 December. The mission included representatives from OCHA, WFP, WHO, UNICEF, ECHO, the Associated Press TV. The overall impression is that while there is still need for humanitarian assistance, the magnitude of the damage appears to be lower than initially feared.
FAO assessment teams have already been mobilized and are on the ground in northeast Somalia. FAO is participating through the FAO Food Security Assessment Unit (FSAU), which is conducting at this very time, which means that experienced assessment teams are already organized, in the field, and can be relatively easily diverted. The FSAU is also making plans to investigate the situation in southern parts of Somalia.
WFP has stockpiled a total of 83MT of food supplies in Foar (this includes the 12MT already dispatched to Hafun and another 10 MT distributed in Foar).
PLEDGES - CONTRIBUTIONS
OCHA is prepared to serve as a channel for unearmarked cash contributions to be used for immediate relief assistance, in coordination with relevant organizations in the United Nations system. For banking details, please contact the desk officers indicated below. OCHA provides donors with written confirmation and pertinent details concerning the utilization of the funds contributed.
Updates on contributions to this disaster may be found by clicking on Financial Tracking at the top of the page for this disaster on the OCHA Internet Website (http://www.reliefweb.int). Donors are requested to verify this table and inform OCHA Geneva of corrections/additions/values. Donors are encouraged to notify OCHA Geneva of their contributions to this disaster using the OCHA Standardized Contributions Recording Format, available electronically in the above-mentioned Financial Tracking Website. A hard copy of the latest contributions reported to OCHA as of 30 December is attached.
Together with further information on other ongoing emergencies, this situation report is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at http://www.reliefweb.int.
The map of the region hit can be found at ReliefWeb Map centre - Indian Ocean: Earthquake/Tsunami Impact and Assistance
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 Officers:
Mr. Erik Haegglund/Mr. Soichi Nakajima
Direct Tel. +41-22-917 32 99/ 4034
Mr. Rudi Müller/Ms. Caroline Péguet
Direct Tel. 41-22-917 3131 / 1836
Press contact:
(GVA) Ms. Madeleine Moulin-Acevedo, direct Tel. +41-22-917 31 60
(N.Y.) Ms. Stephanie Bunker, direct Tel. +1-917 367 51 26
(N.Y.) Mr. Brian Grogan, direct Tel. +1-212-963 11 43
Regional contributions (pdf* format - 25.5 KB)
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