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India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Somalia, Thailand: Earthquake and Tsunami OCHA Situation Report No. 14

Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Date: 7 Jan 2005

OCHA/GVA - 2005/0006
OCHA Situation Report No. 14
Earthquake and Tsunami
India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Somalia, Thailand

• After his visit in Jakarta and Banda Aceh, the United Nations Secretary-General is to arrive in Sri Lanka on Friday 7 January and will visit affected areas the next day.
  
• On 6 January 2005, the United Nations and its partners launched a Flash Appeal to respond to the urgent and immediate needs of the communities severely affected by the earthquake and tsunami. The Flash Appeal focuses on supporting people in Indonesia, Maldives, Seychelles, Somalia and Sri Lanka from January to the end of June 2005, and calls for USD 977 million to fund the critical work of some forty UN agencies and NGOs.
  
• The United Nations Joint Logistics Center (UNJLC) is providing an overview of air operations for this disaster, particularly for Indonesia, Maldives and Sri Lanka. The latest report is available at its website: http://www.unjlc.org/content/index.phtml/itemId/5478
  
• Latest figures are as follows:

INDIA

Situation

The total death toll is now at 9,675. This is likely to go up after detailed information from the Nicobar Group of Islands are received. All seaport harbours, airports, national highways, telecommunications network, and supply chain of POL products in the mainland (AP, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry) are now fully functional.

Key coordination mechanisms

An Integrated Relief Command (IRC) for the Andaman & Nicobar Groups of Islands has become operational and is coordinating relief and rescue. All the islands have been surveyed and relief supplies have started arriving. Significant efforts are being made towards restoration of infrastructure particularly in the southern islands of Andaman and Nicobar.

UN response

The UN System in India is galvanizing its existing programmes with the Government to support relief/recovery. The UN Disaster Management Team representatives met with Chief Secretary, Tamil Nadu on 4 January, and discussed UN System partnership with State Government in livelihood restoration, shelter and ICT support as a part of ongoing programmes. In Tamil Nadu, UNICEF will support special efforts to monitor acute malnutrition levels among the children. Unaccompanied children in the camps have been identified. WHO is supporting the Government of Tamil Nadu for strengthening the implementation of integrated disease surveillance programmes at four selected districts. Trained personnel from Government of India-UNDP Disaster Risk Management Programme are actively supporting the State Governments.

INDONESIA

Situation

As of 7 January 2005, reports from the Department of Social Affairs mentioned that the death toll in both Aceh and North Sumatra is 113,306 persons. About 10,000 people are missing and 4,622 are being treated in the hospitals. The number of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Aceh, Medan and Jakarta stands at 517,226.

Health: 50 percent of health facilities are destroyed or damaged.

Logistics:

Air: Congestion at airports of Banda Aceh and Medan continues. According to the UNJLC, alternative airports have been identified: Subang (Malaysia) for strategic airlifts, Lhoksumawe (Singapore airport) for fixed and rotary wing aircrafts, and Meulaboh (Sumatra, Indonesia) for rotary aircrafts only. Lack of loading and unloading equipment at most airports remains. The UNJLC also reported lack of temporary accommodation for aircraft personnel.

Sea: As for sea access, ports of Banda Aceh, Meulaboh, Sabang, and Lhoknga are not accessible. Cargo is now being redirected to ports of Belawan (Medan) and Lhokesumawe. Singkel port is open for discharge of vessels at anchorage only. Singkel port and Sibolga ports are functioning with limited capacity.

Road: The estimated journey time by road between Lhokesumawe and Banda Aceh is about eight hours, and trucks and drivers are available. The journey time by road from Medan to Banda Aceh (via Lhokesumawe) is about 16-18 hours.

According to the Meteorology and Geophysics agency, an aftershock measuring 5.7 on the Richter scale occurred at 01:50 a.m local time on 5 January 2005. The epicentre was located at 130 km southeast of Banda Aceh. No damage was reported, but staff in Banda Aceh evacuated buildings briefly due to the intensity of the quake.

There was a report that the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) were engaged in exchange of fire along the road connecting Medan and Banda Aceh.

Requirements

According to the National Coordination Board for Disaster Management (Bakornas), the following are priority needs: emergency tents, establishment of health posts, women sanitary kits, generators and communications items, such as radios.

The Department of Health requires the following: oxygen, baby food, medical teams, suction equipment, minor surgery sets, anti tetanus serum, measles vaccines, antibiotics (ear, nose and throat), bronchoscope, and intensive care unit supplies.

According to the United Nations Joint Logistic Centre (UN JLC), the following items are still needed: more capacity for base camps, fuel, water treatment units, generators, individual deployment kits and nutritionally balanced food.

Constraints:

• Bottlenecks at Medan and Banda Aceh airports due to limited logistics capacity
• Limited in-country warehouse facilities and trucking capacity
• Devastated infrastructure along the west coast. Lack of accommodation for staff
• Security status of the province

Key coordination mechanisms

The Joint Logistics Centre has been established to coordinate transport of relief goods and personnel, using transport assets provided by the military from the Government of Australia, India, Malaysia, Singapore and the USA. Agencies wishing to transport goods/personnel by air, please visit the JLC website: http://www.unjlc.org, obtain a movement request form, fill in the form and send it to: airaceh@unjlc.org. The JLC will negotiate space for relief cargos and personnel according to the priorities set by the United Nations Disaster Management Team. Currently, priority is given to: water supply; medicines; shelter and food.

Key heads of Agencies meet on a daily basis. A common assessment framework has been set-up and a logistics coordination cell, led by UNJLC, was established. In addition, meetings among the sector groups take place.

UN and Red Cross and Red Crescent movement response

United Nations Environment Programme

UNEP deployed a senior environmental expert to take the lead role for the environmental sector in the on-going United Nations/World Bank Needs assessment.

United Nations HABITAT

UN-HABITAT will help to prioritise the human resettlements elements in the interagency response to facilitate the transition from humanitarian relief to long term recovery and reconstruction in the disaster-hit areas.

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

Non-food items arrived in Jakarta and UNHCR is organising the shipment to Banda Aceh. Non-food Items already in Jakarta: 100,000 blankets, 20,000 kitchen sets, 20,000 plastic sheeting, 20,000 jerry cans, 2,000 lightweight tents, 50,000 sleeping mats, making a total of 4,000 metric tonnes.

World Food Programme

A WFP convoy of trucks provided by TNT has left Medan for Singkil and from Singkil the food is ferried to offshore islands. WFP continue to truck food from Medan to Banda Aceh. Since 4 January 2005, a total of 205 MT of food have been distributed to beneficiaries in Banda Aceh and Aceh Besar. WFP plans to complete a one-month distribution to these beneficiaries within the next week. A total of 340 MT of rice, 38 MT of fortified biscuits and 5 vehicles and 106 tarpaulins were dispatched to Banda Aceh from Medan on 5 January 2005. Helicopters are now distributing 15 MT on a daily basis to communities on the most affected west coast. WFP food (fortified biscuits and rice) was distributed to the west coast (Calang and Meulaboh) with the help of the U.S. Air Force and to islands off the coast by ferry. WFP is currently assisting (monthly ration) 110,000 persons in Banda Aceh and surrounding areas, and has started to assist 140,000 people on the east coast, mostly fishermen communities.

World Health Organization

World Health Organization (WHO) logisticians have arrived in Banda Aceh with ten emergency health kits that will cover basic health needs in crisis situations for 100,000 people for three months. WHO started a measles vaccination campaign in Banda Aceh on 5 January 2005.

International Committee of the Red Cross

ICRC launched a special family links website in South Asia (www.familylinks.icrc.org) to provide information for people on the spot and around the world about the safety of survivors. For people without access to the internet, the ICRC sends mobile teams to collect information on ‘I am alive’ forms and display printed lists in key public places.

MALDIVES

Situation

The latest figures reported as of 6 January 2005 are as follows:

Number of deaths: 82

Number of people missing: 26

Number of people displaced: 21,663

44 schools, 30 health centres and 60 island administrative facilities need to be reconstructed or rehabilitated.

A joint UNICEF/WFP assessment was conducted 6 January to Laamu Atoll to assess water and sanitation needs, health and the possibility of school feeding. Focus group discussions concluded on the availability of staple food supplies for a period of one month. Overall, livelihoods have been destroyed as household livestock, gardens and fruit trees have been completely wiped out. The most pressing issue is the availability of clean drinking water.

Requirements

No longer needed: tents, jerry cans.

On hold: food, experts, medication

Still needed: toiletry sets, kitchen sets (DFID is actively considering this request), water making equipment, water harvesting equipment, water storage equipment.

Transport and logistical coordination continue to remain the main priorities of the Government given the dispersion and the difficult conditions to be endured for aid delivery. Aid has to be delivered to each of the 200 islands individually and can only be done in small boats or using other means of light transport.

Key coordination mechanisms

In order to ensure that appropriate aid and quantities are sent to the country, please consult with the Government’s Crisis Task Force through the Ministry of Foreign Affair’s Department of External Resources: der@foreign.gov.mv.

Field Office contact: Aishath Jeelaan, Communications Officer, United Nations Resident Coordinator System, Tel: (960) 324501 ext. 227, mob: (960) 787 987.

The Government has also requested WHO to play a coordinating role for all incoming NGOs.

The UN Country Team has established a Disaster Relief Task Force Information Center on-line at http://inet03/. It includes contact information, meeting schedules, UN and Government assessment reports, forthcoming missions, and links to useful sites.

UN response

United Nations Development Programme

The UNDP Assessment Team sent out to assess the housing and shelter needs of those most affected by the disaster are on their way back to the capital after conducting the assessment. They visited the islands of Meemu Muli, Naalaafushi and Veryvah and have confirmed initial findings of the Government.

United Nations Children’s Fund

UNICEF has also been designated lead agency for water and environmental sanitation and will have control over all the resources and will regularly convene meetings to show directions to partner agencies. UNICEF will support the government in construction of family and individual toilets in the affected islands. UNICEF will as part of its immediate response to the emergency, distribute its Basic Family Water Kits. UNICEF provided baby food and other essentials to displaced people who had been evacuated to Male.

United Nations Population Fund

Immediate action by UNFPA includes distribution of water, sanitation and hygiene supplies such as sanitary napkins, toothpaste, toothbrushes, towels and clothing to the displaced population. Emergency supplies including clean delivery kits, clinical delivery equipment, materials for safe blood transfusions and contraceptives have been procured. UNFPA is procuring essential supplies for women of reproductive age and pregnant women.

World Food Programme

37 metric tons of High Energy Biscuits arrived at Male International Airport on 6 January 2005. The cargo is the first tranche of the 100 MT of biscuits that are expected to arrive over the next three days from India. The biscuits will be distributed by the Maldives Government (GoM) via the National Security Services (NSS). The fortified biscuits are to be provided as supplementary rations for immediate food distribution.

MYANMAR

Situation

Reportedly, 60 to 80 people were killed. The longer-term affected population is estimated at 10,000 to15,000, of whom 5,000 to 7,000 are directly affected. The most affected areas are the Irrawaddy Delta, Tanintharyi and Ayeyarwaddy Divisions and Rakhine State.

Key coordination mechanisms

A Coordination Group was set up at the onset of the disaster and is chaired by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). Agencies are closely coordinating their responses through the coordination group and are largely using pre-positioned stocks and/or redirecting resources from other areas of the country or through their regional mechanisms. Emergency family kits have already been distributed in both the delta and southern regions and further support is announced or planned for the next days.

Requirements

The consolidated assessments identified immediate needs as follows: shelter, safe drinking water, food, and non-food items (blankets, clothes, cooking sets, mosquito nets etc).

UN response

United Nations Children’s Fund

UNICEF emergency medical stockpiles have been delivered to affected communities. UNICEF is procuring clean water supplies, water and sanitation teams have been dispatched to Taninthiryi Division, Ayeyarwaddy Division and Rakkhine State (the three main locations of concern). Teams are ready to procure fresh water where necessary. Assistance with latrine construction is on going.

World Food Programme

The WFP team is currently assessing southern coastal division of Thanintharyi, in collaboration with other agencies (ICRC, UNICEF and WVI). This Division is believed to be the second-worst hit area in Myanmar.

SOMALIA

Situation

The villages of Hafun, Gara'g, Bari, Karkar, Nugal and Mudug in the north-eastern Puntland region, as well as Marka and Baraawe towns of Lower Shabelle region in the south have been hardest hit. An interagency mission completed an assessment of Harfun town where 500 families (approx 5,000 people) have been displaced. The situation is critical with an estimated 80 percent of houses destroyed, no clean water or sanitation facilities and a serious shortage of food and medicines.

Key coordination mechanisms

OCHA Somalia presented a WHO, What, Where Response Matrix designed to help operational agencies to keep track of response activities and this will be updated when information is received. In addition, the information will be mapped by sector and geographically.

Constraints:

Delivering assistance to the needy is sometimes a challenge due to the poor communication and road infrastructure. Apart from the poor infrastructure, some of the affected areas are inaccessible because of security concerns and were not assessed through aerial or ground assessment.

UN response

United Nations Children’s Fund

UNICEF teams immediately began a massive chlorination effort and are providing family relief kits, oral rehydration salts, medical support and are helping people access safe water. 500 relief kits have already been provided to the worst affected. Three shallow wells have been rehabilitated. A measles vaccination campaign, including provision of high dose Vitamin A capsules is on-going. UNICEF delivered emergency supplies such as plastic sheeting, jerry cans, water purification tablets and is now trucking water twice a day to Hafun.

World Food Programme

WFP has so far distributed 218 MT of food to some 12,000 beneficiaries along a 500 km stretch of the most affected coastline in Northeast Somalia. Most of the food was pre-positioned in Bossaso while additional supplies will be shipped from Mombasa on 8 January 2005. The same ship will carry shelter materials provided by UNHCR for distribution to cover shelter needs for 25,000 beneficiaries. UNICEF delivered emergency supplies such as plastic sheeting, jerry cans, water purification tablets and is now trucking water twice a day to Hafun.

World Health Organization

WHO has pre-positioned three emergency kits. Each has the capacity to cater for 10,000 people for up to 3 months.

SRI LANKA

Situation

Latest figures

Number of deaths: 30,615

Number of people missing: 4,356

Number of people displaced: 572,578

Number houses destroyed: 93,507

The numbers of displaced people in camps reported from various districts has decreased by more than 30 percent. Many who were displaced due to fear or whose houses were only damaged have voluntarily returned home.

Logistics/Infrastructure: Information on transport capacity, warehouse capacity, stock tracking and distribution mechanisms are limited.

• Three bailey bridges at Akurala, Goiyapana and Magalle in the Southern Province have been installed. One bailey bridge in the North-East; Mullativu-Kokalai is being installed. Several bridges in the North – East are damaged, which need to be repaired.
  
• Fast track facilities are available in the airport for relief materials
  
• Police have offered security services for transporting relief materials if required
  
• Two helicopters provided by the USA are available for assessment and load and can access the services through the UNDAC/CNO
  
• Heavy machinery and transport needed to remove debris and repair infrastructure in Ampara district.
  
• A provision for temporary tax exemption for a period of three months for vehicles coming into the country for relief operations has been made.

Requirements

Transportation of relief materials from different warehouses to disaster hit areas of the country.Water and sanitation, temporary latrines, waste disposal and kitchen sets in many districts are required. Please visit web: www.lk.undp.org/ndmc/Needs for detailed information.

Constraints

WFP along with other UN agencies and NGOs is still facing difficulties in mobilizing trucks for the delivery of humanitarian assistance from central level to districts and from districts to beneficiaries.

Key coordination mechanisms

The Task force for Logistics and Law and Order (TAFLOL), which was set-up by the Government, will establish a stock tracking for all relief items coming into Sri Lanka and final distribution with the support of UNJLC, the Chamber of Commerce and IBM. Limited transport, warehouse and distribution facility/ capacity are the major concern.

Detailed information on the relief effort is available on the website of the Centre for National Operations (CNO) www.priu.gov.lk. The website is fully supported by the UN system working in Sri Lanka

For the latest information visit the new site of the Centre for National Operations (CNO): http://www.cnossrilanka.org.

Information on agency activities in each district can be obtained from the following link www.humanitarian-srilanka.org (under Tsunami 2004 Information Centre).

UN and Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement Response

United Nations Population Fund

UNFPA deployed reproductive health kits (RH) for safe and clean deliveries, infection control and for obstetric complications. UNFPA provided assistance to the Psycho-social Support Desk of the Centre for National Operations (CNO) in coordinating the response to meet the psychosocial needs of survivors.

World Food Programme

WFP intends to complete full distribution of a 15-day food ration to 750,000 beneficiaries by 8 January. Up to 5 January 2005, WFP dispatched and distributed 3,305 MT of food commodities, reaching around 450,000 beneficiaries to support them for 15 days.

World Health Organization

WHO plans to establish an early warning communicable disease surveillance system in order to detect and respond to disaster outbreaks.

International Committee of the Red Cross

As of 2 January, the ICRC has provided more than 12,000 families (about 60,000 people) kits. Clothing and lanterns were also distributed to thousands of families. These items were distributed through the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRCS) staff.

THAILAND

Situation

Official Royal Thai Government (RTG) figures are as follows:

• 5,301 dead,
• 8,457 injured,
• 3,570 missing.

Reconstruction and recovery work is underway in all affected provinces, including clearing debris and rebuilding houses. Search and rescue operations have now officially ended.

The situation is quickly returning to normal and provincial governors are taking a positive coordination role. The removal of debris is picking up rapidly and an aerial assessment showed an increasing activity in removal of destroyed buildings in most places affected by the tsunami. Schools are active in all provinces; however, repair work is still going on in damaged schools.

Authorities were also watching out for human traffickers possibly kidnapping child victims of the tragedy, as well as gangs that may have gone around morgues stealing corpses and submitting false claims for compensation.

Requirements

The Prime Minister confirmed that Thailand does not require any financial assistance to recover from this disaster. However, he welcomes technical assistance for the establishment of a tsunami early warning system.

Key coordination mechanisms

The contact point within the Government for offering pledges of international assistance is the Humanitarian Relief Coordinator, Mr. Nopadol Gunavibool, Director-General, Department of East Asian Affairs. He can be reached at +66-2-6435191.

The Ministry of Social Development has set up Crisis Management Centres in all affected six provinces, and overall coordination will rest with the Centre in Phuket.

The Minister announced that the RTG is considering closing the National Operation Centre in Phuket in one week’s time. The following RTG agencies will be responsible for focusing on recovery work:

• Provincial governments will be responsible for the cleaning up of affected beaches and streets. The Public Works Department will be responsible for infrastructure repair and maintenance (electricity poles, tap water and main water pipes),
  
• Ministry of Natural Resources will continue to clean water sources and monitor water quality and supply,
  
• The Ministry of Interior will continue to oversee the establishment of temporary and permanent housing with the Ministry for Social Development and Human Security and the Thai Defence Force,
  
• The Ministry of Interior will work with provincial governments to re-establish control and regulate street vendors,
  
• The Agricultural Ministry will cooperate with the Thai Defence Force to assist fishermen salvage and repair fishing boats,
  
• The Finance Ministry will assist business owners obtain loans for business recovery initiatives,
  
• The Education Ministry will work to rehabilitate schools and take responsibility for ensuring that all orphans are offered free boarding school education,
  
• Deputy Prime Minister Jaturon will oversee natural resource/environmental recovery with the Ministry for Natural Resources,
  
• Deputy Prime Minister Pinit will be responsible for vocational training and food for work programs for those who have lost their income. The Labour Ministry will also assist those without an income, including assisting migrant workers to return home if they choose to do so in cooperation with the social welfare organizations,
  
• Deputy Prime Minister Somsuk will oversee the establishment of a tsunami early warning system for Thailand.

UN response

United Nations Children’s Fund

UNICEF has provided vitamin A and the Health Ministry has vaccinated everyone in the shelters. UNICEF is distributing Vitamin A in shelters in Phang Nga province. UNICEF is working with World Vision to address the needs of migrants in Ranong Province. UNICEF supported the Government of Thailand in reopening schools on 4 January 2005, providing 300 tents to replace damaged school structures and school supplies. UNICEF will assist the Government of Thailand in the reconstruction of classrooms, water/toilet facilities and playgrounds in schools that suffered damage in the affected areas.

REGIONAL COORDINATION AND LOGISTICS

A Regional Civil Military Coordination Cell has been established at U-Tapao base with the Joint Task Force, consisting of two Civil Military Coordination officers and one Joint Logistics Center Liaison Officer.

The airport of Subang in Malaysia is available for accepting strategic airlifts. Ground handling and storage will be available. Parking space is sufficient for four wide-bodied aircrafts. Aircraft movements should be staggered by 2 hours. Slot times will be coordinated by UNJLC. Further dispatching will be done by C130 and coordinated between the Malaysian authorities, UNJLC and HAS.

The Singapore Airport will be used as an alternative air hub.

Please find below the logistics priority list as reported to OCHA:

Items for which need is being reassessed:

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 on the Financial Tracking Service (http://www.reliefweb.int/fts; or, click “Financial Tracking” at the top of the ReliefWeb page for this disaster). 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 on the above-mentioned FTS website.

Together with further information on other ongoing emergencies, this situation report is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at http://www.reliefweb.int.

Aid agencies are encouraged to use the Virtual On-Site Operations Coordination Centre (OSOCC) at http://www.reliefweb.int to share information on assistance and coordinate activities.

Tel. +41-22-917 1234
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23/06 28
E-mail: ochagva@un.org

In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10

Desk Officers:

Mr. Rudi Müller/Ms. Caroline Péguet
Direct Tel. 41-22-917 3131 / 1836

Press contact:
(GVA) Ms. Elisabeth Byrs, direct Tel. ++41-22-917 26 53
(N.Y.) Ms. Stephanie Bunker, direct Tel. +1-917 367 51 26
(N.Y.) Mr. Brian Grogan, direct Tel. +1-212-963 11 43