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Indian Ocean Earthquake & Tsunami Emergency Update

 

June 29, 2005

 

Note: New content has been inserted in red, italicized, bold font.

 

 

Table of Contents:

 

Overview......................................page 2-3

Indonesia.....................................page 4-8

Sri Lanka.....................................page 9-13

Thailand.......................................page 14-18

Overview

 

·      The overall focus of attention is on long-term recovery and rehabilitation for the December 26, 2004 earthquake and tsunami disaster. The death toll from tsunamis triggered by the undersea earthquake measuring 9.0 on the Richter scale off the west coast of Indonesia’s Sumatra Island is some 232,010 (Jun-22, Reuters) people along the coastal areas of 11 countries in the Indian Ocean. Over 1.7 million are reported to be homeless.

 

·      Tsunami-related deaths were recorded in Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar, Maldives, Bangladesh, Somalia, Tanzania and Kenya. The loss of life is particularly severe in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and Thailand. Some 166,000 dead and missing are from Indonesia. The dead and missing toll in Sri Lanka climbed to nearly 39,000. In India, at least 10,672 died in Tamil Nadu State and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The death toll on Thailand’s west coast climbed to around 5,400, including some 1,953 foreigners from at least 36 countries. More than 400 combined deaths have been reported in the other countries.

 

·      In February, UN Assistant Secretary General Hafiz Pasha said rebuilding the affected areas would cost some US$10-12 billion dollars over the next three to five years. (Feb-16, AFP) Former US Presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush senior visited some tsunami-affected countries in February and said at the end of their tour, that some US$11.5 billion was needed for reconstruction.

 

·      Coordination: The UN announced an agreement with Price Waterhouse Coopers for 8,000 hours of pro bono work to monitor disbursement of the US$977 million tsunami relief fund. (Mar-14, UN)

 

·    The UN announced a website to track total funds pledged. The website will be accessible through www.reliefweb.int and will have information on pledges received and disbursed. (May-24, UNNS) A UN-run website (http://ocha.unog.ch.ets/Default.aspx) also shows how 13 UN agencies have spent some US$322 million to date. (Jun24-Christian Science Monitor)

 

·      International Assistance:

 

·    Jan Egeland, the UN Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, said on April 6 that the UN was raising its initial appeal of US$977 million to US$1.086 billion. (Apr-6, Reuters) Egeland says that in an unprecedented response, about US$11 billion in total had been pledged by some 90 donor nations. (Jun-24, Reuters) Reuters also reports however, that government and multilateral agencies have pledged some US$6.9 billion in aid while private donations amount to almost some US$5 billion. (Jun-27, Reuters)

 

·    A survey by UK-based Oxfam International says that aid has so far gone to businesses and landowners and the poor were more likely to spend time in camps where it is harder to find work or rebuild lives. The group calls for the aid to go to the poorest and most marginalized. (Jun-27, BBC)

 

·    UN agencies, at a meeting organized by the UN Development Program (UNDP), said on May 25 that countries hit by the disaster will take at least 5 to 10 years to recover with the help of international aid. (May-23, AFP)

 

 

·      Food: WFP says that as of June 9, the UN food agency had reached a total of some 2.24 million people and had dispatched some 129,370 metric tons of food to beneficiaries. Beneficiary numbers peaked in May and started to fall slightly. Number of staff has dropped from 700 at the height of the emergency to approximately 400 today. (Jun-27, WFP) FAO says overall food availability in the region is adequate to cover needs. (Apr-26, Indonesia Relief)

 

·      Health/Medical: WHO estimates 500,000 people were injured. There were scattered reports of diarrhea, malaria, dengue, measles, pneumonia, tetanus and skin infections, but no outbreaks.

 

·    According to the New England Journal of Medicine, doctors say they have identified a lung and brain infection that has paralyzed dozens of victims and may have spread among hundreds of survivors. “Tsunami lung” appears to start with the breathing in of mud and polluted water and spreads to the brain causing abscesses followed by paralysis. The infection can be treated with antibiotics. (Jun-28, Sunday Times)

 

·      Security: Sporadic clashes between TNI and GAM in Aceh


 

Indonesia

 

Organization

 

Overview …………………………………………………………page 5

 

Sectors……………………………………………………………page 6

Overview: The death toll stands at 131,029, with some 37,000 others reported to be missing. Some 2,226 more bodies were found between May 6 and June 18 in Banda Aceh and the west coast, according to the GoI. (Jun-22, Reuters, AP, GoI) The Indonesian government (GoI) in April revised its estimate for the number of people missing from 93,458 to 37,063, an approximate 60 percent cut, because of better data collection. The change in the missing reflects the identification of people who were listed as missing but were actually among those displaced after the disaster destroyed their homes.

 

The United Nations and aid agencies had halted some road travel in tsunami-hit Aceh province after an aid worker for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) was shot and injured last week.  Virgil Grandfield, a spokesperson for the IFRC, says that the aid worker was traveling in a single car north of the town of Lam No, 80 km (49.71 miles) south of the provincial capital Banda Aceh, on Wednesday (June 22) night.  He added that an IFRC security delegate was investigating the shooting.  Other people who were in the car were reportedly unhurt.  The incident was the first of its kind involving foreign humanitarian workers.  In a press release, the IFRC expressed “deep concern” over the incident and said that the aid worker was traveling in a clearly marked Red Cross vehicle.  Police blamed Free Aceh Movement (GAM) separatist rebels for the shooting and said that they would increase security for aid workers.  However, the GAM does not have a history of targeting foreigners, and had welcomed foreign aid and humanitarian workers into the province. 

 

The commander of separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM) rebels has ordered his fighters to avoid fighting with Indonesian military (TNI) troops during a European Union (EU) fact-finding mission this week.  Muzzakir Manaf, commander of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM), warned his men that the Indonesian military (TNI) might try to sabotage the peace process, the Jakarta Post reports.   However, the TNI denied that it was trying to undermine the peace process. Clashes between the Indonesian military (TNI) and GAM are still common in the province, despite four rounds of peace talks between the groups in Helsinki, Finland, since January.  The EU team arrived in Aceh on Tuesday, June 28, for a 4-day survey to scope out the establishment of peace-monitoring bases. 

 

In an interview with the state-run Antara news agency earlier this week, Indonesian Vice-President Jusuf Kalla said that thousands of military troops in Aceh province could eventually leave the province if a decades-old conflict between the government and Free Aceh Movement (GAM) rebels is resolved.  The Helsinki-based NGO, Crisis Management Initiative (CMI), headed by former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari, is mediating peace talks between rebels and the government.  Since January this year, four rounds of peace talks have been held in Helsinki, which have been largely positive. A fifth round of talks is scheduled for July 12 in Finland.  Rebels had declared a unilateral ceasefire following the earthquake and tsunami disaster, however, the TNI has vowed that it would continue military operations.  In comments on Tuesday, June 28, military officials said that they have no plans to scale back the tens of thousands of troops in Aceh. 

 

 

Sector Status

Affected Population

Aceh province had an estimated population of 4.1 million before the disaster; 575,000 people were in the provincial capital, Banda Aceh and surrounding Aceh Besar Regency. The west coast of Aceh had a population of about one million in its six regencies, with about 500,000 in the heavily damaged northern three and 500,000 in the southern three.

 

The Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Agency (BRR) says that there are over 500,000 IDPs in Aceh and over 22,000 in Nias. In Aceh, about 250,000 are staying in tents, while some 150,000 are in temporary government shelters. The remaining 100,000 are either staying with host families or are rebuilding their homes. (Jun-19, GoI)

Coordination

The Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Agency (BRR-Badan Rehabilitasi dan Rekonstruksi) for Aceh and Nias will oversee reconstruction.  The agency will be headed by former mines and energy minister Kuntoro Mangkusubroto, who will manage the some US$4.84 billion fund for reconstruction.  (May-9, Reuters, BBC)

 

The GoI has collaborated with NGOs and donors to initiate the construction of e-Aceh, “a unitary information sharing portal on the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Aceh and Nias,” in response to the need for transparency and coordination of reconstruction. (www.e-aceh.org)

Logistics

Latest UNJLC land route maps of the West Coast are available on the UNJLC website (www.unjlc.org)

Food

WFP expects to feed up to 800,000 people for another year. (June 22, Reuters)

 

FAO says rice production for Aceh for the 2005/2006 marketing year shows a surplus of some 200,000 metric tons. However, many farmers are estimated to have lost two 2005 consecutive seasons of paddy production. In the fisheries sector, 2005 fish output is estimated to decline 50 percent for marine fishing and 41 percent for brackish water culture. (May-5, FAO)

 

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) says at least US$30 million needed to rebuild Aceh’s fishing fleet. More than 6,500 fishermen were killed and some 5,200 boats lost. (Feb-18, AP)

Water and Sanitation

 

Public Health/Medical

WHO says up to 25% of children who survived the disaster in Aceh have mental health problems that need treatment. Most of the adults are also suffering from trauma-related distress. (May-10, WHO).

 

West coast lost some 50-70 percent of its health services. (Jan-24, The Age) Tsunami destroyed 30 health clinics out of 240, seriously damaged 77, and caused minor damage to 40 others. (Jan-18, UNJLC)

Shelter

The GoI announced on June 25 that it has invited the UNHCR to return to Aceh to assist in providing shelter. UNHCR had withdrawn from Aceh on May 25 ahead of a GoI review of the aid effort in the province. (Jun-27, UNHCR) UNHCR will help build some 1,000 houses in Kreung Sabee, Aceh Jaya. (Jun-28, Indonesia Relief) The UN says that people left homeless by the disaster will be moved into semi-permanent or permanent houses within two years. (Jun-25, Reuters)

 

French Red Cross says that it will rebuild 1,000 houses in Sigli, capital of Pidie district in eastern coast of Aceh (Jun-26, Indonesia-Relief)

 

International Organization for Migration (IOM) pledged to build 11,000 houses for survivors as soon as possible. (Apr-1, Antara)

 

World Vision International (WVI) says it will build 15,000 permanent houses benefiting some 60,000 IDPs. (Apr-7, WVI)

Infrastructure

116,880 houses were destroyed or damaged in 2,496 villages throughout 17 affected regencies (kabupaten) from a total of 21 in Aceh. Of these, 57% were destroyed and 12% sustained major damage. The total amount of settlement areas affected by the tsunami amounted to 173,673 hectares (429,200 acres), of which 35% of the villages were completely destroyed. (Jun-19, GoI, IOM)

 

According to the Public Works report, below is the damage to public buildings and infrastructure:

Health Facilities: 693 hospitals or clinics (of which 66% destroyed) School Buildings: 1,662 schools (of which 46% destroyed) Religious Buildings: 2,580 mosques and mushollas (of which 43% destroyed) Government Buildings: 1,412 buildings (of which 71% destroyed) Markets & Kiosks: 1,416 units (of which 75% destroyed) ;Infrastructure (damaged or destroyed) Total roads: 2,617 km; Arterial roads (provincial connecting roads): 603 km (of which 38% destroyed); City roads: 654 km (of which 28% destroyed); Local neighborhood roads: 1,360 km (of which 34% destroyed) Bridges: 2,267 bridges (of which 67% destroyed) Water ducts: 7,122 ducts (of which 83% destroyed) (Jun-19, GoI, IOM)

GOI estimates more than 1 million homes destroyed, along with some 277 miles (450 km) of roads and scores of bridges. (Jan-30, AP) The Aceh education office says that at least 1,057 school buildings were damaged or destroyed, causing losses of some US$21.85 million. (Feb-4, Antara)

 

The UN says that emergency plans are being drafted to help revive the agriculture sector. Estimates of damages to farmland are at some 9,000 hectares (22,240 acres) on the east coast and some 27,000 hectares (66,720 acres) on the west coast. Additionally, a total of some 50,000 hectares (123,600 acres) of wetland and dryland were affected.

 

FAO estimates aquaculture losses at US$210 million and estimates 100,000 acres (150 sq. mi.) of agricultural land devastated. (Feb-02, Star)

Security

A fifth round of peace talks between the GoI and GAM is scheduled for July 12 in the Finnish capital of Helsinki. 

 

Sporadic clashes between TNI and GAM continue.

 

CARE reports some security concerns at the UN compound in Banda Aceh which may be affecting attendance at meetings. (Jun-29, UNJLC)

 

Total of TNI troops is around 50,000; 38,000 troops were already in Aceh for military operations. TNI said 517 soldiers were killed in the tsunami. Indonesian police deployed around 800 officers to Aceh to fill the posts of 450 killed in the disaster.

International Financial Assistance

GOI put the December tsunami/earthquake losses at US$4.5 billion. The Consultative Group on Indonesia, made up of 30 international lenders, pledged US$1.7 billion in tsunami aid for 2005, consisting of US$1.2 billion in grants and US$500 million in soft loans. State Minister for Development Planning, Sri Mulyani Indrawati, said March 14 that the GoI will accept the offer of a debt moratorium from the Paris Club. The total debt on which repayment will be delayed is US$2.6 billion. (Mar-14, Tempo Interactive) Indonesia has some US$48 billion in foreign debt to donor countries under the Paris Club. (Mar-14, Xinhua)

 

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on April 20 said that it plans to lend some US$519 million to Indonesia in 2005. (Apr-20, ADB)

 

The World Bank says that some US$500 million has been raised from foreign donors for reconstruction thus far. The Steering Committee of the Multi-Donor Trust Fund for Aceh and North Sumatra will manage the funds. (Jun-26, AFP)

 

BRR head Kuntoro says that some US$2.8 billion is ready to be spent on reconstruction projects in Aceh, out of which some US$1.9 billion had come from international and private sector donors. (Jun-25, Reuters) Indonesian House of Representatives on June 4 approved 8.2 trillion rupiah (US$863 million) for fiscal year 2005 for Aceh and Nias (Jun-12, GOI)


Sri Lanka

 

 

Overview…………………………………………………..page 10

 

Sectors…………………………………………………….page 10

 

Overview: Sri Lanka reportedly now has combined the figures for its dead and missing into one figure for dead and presumed dead and missing. The combined total stands at 38,940. (Jun-22, Reuters) Of the total, approximately 5,000 have been declared missing. (May-3, DPA) The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says that some 518,698 people remain displaced with most living with relatives and friends, some in “collective accommodation centers” or in camps. UNICEF says that according to the GoSL, 800,000 people were initially displaced.

 

The Sri Lankan government and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) rebels signed a long-awaited controversial tsunami aid sharing pact on Friday, June 23.  The joint mechanism deal, formally known as the post-tsunami operation management structure (P-TOMS), will allow the government and the rebels to share some US$3 billion in pledged foreign aid money.  Many also hope the deal will help restart stalled peace talks.  Protests reportedly caused the debate in parliament to be shortened.  Before the debate in parliament, police fired tear gas to prevent hundreds of Marxist People’s Liberation Front (JVP) supporters from marching on the parliament.  Norwegian peace brokers then took the pact to the rebel-held town of Kilinochchi where the rebels signed the document.  The JVP and the influential Buddhist clergy had strongly protested against the agreement in the previous weeks. However, the international community had pressed for the joint deal, so that governments could avoid sending funds directly to the rebels, as many countries list the LTTE as a terrorist organization.  President Chandrika Kumaratunga’s ruling coalition was recently reduced to a minority after the withdrawal of the JVP, who opposed the deal, saying the rebels would use the opportunity for their movement for independence. The joint aid plan involves committees comprised of rebels, government officials and minority Muslims, who can recommend, prioritize, and monitor projects. However, Muslims, like the JVP and Buddhist clergy, have raised concerns, saying that they want more of a say in the deal.  Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s minority Muslims went on strike earlier this week to protest for a greater role in the aid-sharing deal.  There were reports that transport was disrupted and shops and schools closed in the east. 

 

On Wednesday (June29) Kumaratunga’s government sought to dispel fears that the LTTE might misuse funds by saying that there were built-in safeguards in the joint mechanism to ensure that funds allocated were not diverted to unauthorized purposes by the LTTE. The president also sought to assure the Muslim community that her government would take steps to ensure that Muslim concerns are addressed in the implementation of the P-TOMS. Kumaratunga had met with Muslim Ministers and Deputy Ministers to hear their concerns. (Jun-29, GoSL, Hindustan Times)

 

Sector Status

 

Affected

Population

Over 516,000 people remain displaced, with some figures saying up to 1 million (may-20, Reuters); over 100,000 still in camps or shelters, over 400,000 now living with relatives or friends. (Mar-24, Reuters)

 

According to statistics published by the Tamil daily Virakesari, out of the total killed, some 12,562 were Muslims. Out of the overall figure of missing, some 1,980 (34 percent) were Muslims. 7,285 of the injured (48.5 percent) were Muslims. (May 16, Hindustan Times)

 

The GoSL said on April 28 that around 50,000 people in Sri Lanka made homeless by the tsunami are still in tents and relief centers.

 

 

Coordination

Joint mechanism deal, officially known as the Post-Tsunami Operations Management Structure (P-TOMS) to allow committees from the LTTE, the government and Muslims to discuss and monitor tsunami aid projects.

 

On February 4th the Centre for National Operations (CNO) handed over responsibilities of continuing its main functions of collating and analyzing data, coordinating and facilitating relief measures connected to healthcare, education, foreign donor assistance and food relief. The Task Force for Relief (TAFOR) will directly assume these responsibilities. TAFOR will be based and managed from the Ministry of Defense. Another task force, Task Force for the Reconstruction of the Nation (TAFREN), has been given responsibility of spearheading reconstruction, assessing the damages, and coming up with a master plan to rebuild infrastructure. Food relief will be channeled through the Ministry for Relief, Rehabilitation, and Reconciliation (RRR) together with Commissioner General of Essential Services (CGES). Responsibilities connected to IDPs, Transit Camps, and liaison with the District Secretaries will be the task of the CGES. (Feb-9, UNJLC)

 

Humanitarian Information Center (HIC) District Support Unit (DSU) is operating with UNOCHA and is providing maps and database services to the government and humanitarian community. (Jun—28, UNOCHA)

 

For further information, check the TAFREN website at http://www.tafren.gov.lk/ or the CNO website at http://www.cnosrilanka.org/ The Ministry of Relief, Rehabilitation, and Reconciliation’s website, www.mrrr.lk contains additional information.

 

Information on many NGO activities can be obtained from the following link: http://www.humanitarian-srilanka.org/ (under Tsunami 2004 Information Center)

 

Logistics

According to the UNJLC, on April 26, relief consignments of UN agencies at the Colombo port and airport will no longer be exempt from taxes and duties when new clearance procedures are to be introduced. NGOs can only acquire tax and duty concessions by handling the consignments through the Department of Social Services for distribution or having the department supervise the distribution. (Apr-19, OCHA)

 

UNJLC report, “Comprehensive Road Network Assessment of the Tsunami Struck Areas in Sri Lanka” completed and available at www.unjlc.org. (Feb-23, UNJLC)

 

Food

WFP says it is feeding some 915,000 people. Food distributions will discontinue in August and will give way to targeted and recovery-oriented approaches. (Jun-27, WFP)

 

WFP says targeted feeding currently reaches 260,000 mothers and children through Maternal Child Health projects and 144,000 children through school feeding programs. (Jun-27, WFP)

 

FAO, with the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, says that the total number of traditional craft (canoes) destroyed by the tsunamis is 9,975. (Apr-19, OCHA)

 

Water and

Sanitation

Oxfam has spent some US$9.8 million on water and sanitation, benefiting 430,000 people. (May-31, Oxfam)

 

Red Cross and Red Crescent water purification teams are producing and distributing over 3 million liters of clean water every week, benefiting over 30,000 people weekly. (June-3, IFRC)

 

Public Health

and Medical

 

 

Shelter

The GoSL and aid groups have built temporary housing for some 77,000 people.

 

World Bank in Sri Lanka found about 90,000 homes fully or partially destroyed. The Bank has allocated initial US$40 million for permanent housing cash grants. (June-2, World Bank)

 

IOM has finished constructing nearly 850 transitional shelters to house nearly 4,000 people in the east and south for four years. IOM plans to build transitional homes for nearly 21,000 people in seven districts. (June-03, IOM)

 

GoSl announced the ceremonial launch of the North East Housing Reconstruction Program (NEHRP) held at the Mahaweli Centre. NEHRP is designed to facilitate the reconstruction of over 31,200 houses in the North and East over a period of four years (2005-2009).

 

Mano Tittawella, chair of TAFREN says the GoSL finished demarcating land for up to 34,000 permanent houses outside of the buffer zone. He says that the bulk of the project will start in May and June and 80 to 90 percent of the housing units are expected to be completed by the last quarter of the year. The Daily News reports that some 194 donors have made pledges to construct around 97,000 permanent houses. GoSL has also decided to continue the family allowance of some Rp5,000 (US$50) up to June 30. (Apr-29, Daily News)

 

GoSL says it will give US$2,500 to families whose houses have been destroyed while owners of partially damaged houses would receive US$1,000. (Apr-5, GoSL)

 

As of May 25, temporary shelters constructed under the Transitional Accommodation Projects (TAP) for tsunami victims in all affected districts have totaled 29,796 units. An additional 9,273 units currently under construction are due to be completed end of May would bring the total number of units to nearly 40,000.

Infrastructure

On May 19, GoSL announced details of a US$700 million plan to upgrade ports, build a new southern harbor at Hambantota and add a second runway at its international airport. The government will provide US$100 million of the funds, with the rest provided by donors. (May 20, BBC)

 

SP Thamilselvan, chief of the political wing of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), said that more than US$1 billion was needed to rebuild Tamil areas ruined in the disaster

 

The GoSL plan involves building some 62 townships, 75 miles (120 km) of electric railway, improving 55 miles (89 km) of highway and granting assistance to affected families to rebuild housing. Chair of TAFREN, Mano Tittawella, estimates that it will take 6-9 months to build houses, 1-3 years to build roads and a modern water supply system, and another 1-3 years to build new railway lines. (Mar-23, Reuters)

 

A total of 77,561 houses have been damaged or destroyed by the tsunami, including 41,393 houses that were completely washed away, according to the latest figures by the Census and Statistics Department. (Apr-29, Daily News)

 

The Minister of Agriculture says that direct damage to the farmers of the tsunami was some US$3.5 million.

 

Security

 

International Financial Assistance

Officials say that international donations and debt relief have reached some US$3 billion over a period of three to five years, nearly twice as much as what the government has estimated it will cost to rebuild.  (May-20, Reuters)

 

The government has estimated that it will cost up to US$1.6 billion to rebuild infrastructure destroyed or damaged.  The so-called Paris Club of rich creditor nations in March offered to freeze Sri Lanka’s $300 million in debt payments until the end of 2005.  The government has said it wishes to see that extended for three years.  (May-11, AFP) The Paris Club has agreed to allow the deferred payments to be repaid over five years, with a one-year grace period.  Sri Lanka owes the Paris Club some US$4.6 billion.

 

The World Bank doubled its commitment from US$75 million to US$150 million in emergency credits and grants. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Executive Board approved some US$157.5 million. (Mar-9, IMF)

 

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) announced on April 14 that it has approved a US$197 million assistance package for two projects that will rebuild areas in Sri Lanka. The package includes a US$150 million grant and a US$7 million loan for the Tsunami-affected Areas Rebuilding Project (TAARP). A US$14 million grant and a US$26 million loan will be for the North East Community Restoration and Development Project II (NECORD II) to continue the government’s rehabilitation program in conflict-affected areas in the north and east of the country. (Apr-14, AFP)

 

Thailand

 

 

 

Overview. ………………………………………………. page 15

 

Sectors……………………………………………………page 16

 

Overview: Latest death toll issued by the Thai Ministry of Interior Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) is at 5,395, while 1,175 bodies remain unidentified. The number of Thai deceased is at 1,972 and foreign nationals at 2,248, with another 1,175 of unknown nationality. Number of missing is at 2,817. Of those, 1,924 are Thais. (May 13, UN) According to the Thai Tsunami Victim Identification Centre (TTVI) the current database reports some 785 persons missing (516 Thais and 269 foreigners) but there are some 1,976 bodies in the two TTVI sites. Officials say that migrant workers could account for this discrepancy and they are checking databases of registered migrants. However, many migrant workers are unregistered. (Jun-27, The Nation) New data shows that among missing Thai nationals, 1,655 are from Phang Nga province, nearly three times more than Phuket. Missing foreign nationals amount to 896 altogether, split between Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi (Phi Phi). (UN, June-13)

 

Search teams from Germany, France and Nordic countries, which suffered the highest losses at Khao Lak, have been sent to search for bodies. Experts from 16 international countries have identified 1,710 bodies in the world’s largest forensic operation. (Jun-20, Reuters) The Justice Ministry will set up a national center for the systematic identification of missing persons within four years, in cooperation with the Central Institute of Forensic Science (CIFS) and the police. (June-16, The Nation) The Disaster Victim Identification Centre (DVI) has some 2,076 bodies awaiting identification, while another 3,319 have been identified. (UN, June-13) The government has decided to send some 2,000 DNA samples of unidentified foreigners to the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) in Sarajevo, Bosnia. Royal Thai Police (under Interior Ministry), and 460 international forensic experts from more than 20 countries are assisting in body identification. (Mar-14, Xinhua)

 

At a forum called “half a year after the tsunami and the road to restoration,” organized by NGOs, villagers from the six southern provinces affected by the tsunami have expressed anger at the GoT, saying that it had not done enough to help villagers and said that land disputes are the most critical concern for villagers. (Jun-27, Bangkok Post)

 

According to the Nation, about 15,000 people in 25 villages found their ownership rights erased or withdrawn after the tsunami. Many became homeless and began living in temporary shelters. Deputy Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh set up a subcommittee to investigate and adjudicate land disputes and appointed General Surin Phikulthong to lead it. Surin says that so far, half of the cases have been solved. (Jun-29, The Nation) According to Office of the Attorney-General, land disputes between villagers and land speculators after the disaster involve more than 5,000 rai of land. According to the NGO, Save Andaman Network, more than 30 villages are struggling to reclaim their land rights amid intimidation. (May-26, Bangkok Post)

 

According to a former chief of the Meteorology Department, Smith Tumsaroch, Thailand will complete the establishment of its disaster early warning system in all parts of the country integrally over the next two years and will cost nearly 140 million baht (US$3.4 million). (Jun-29, TNA) Thailand’s National Disaster Warning Center, the first among tsunami-affected countries, formally opened on May 30. In the first phase, it will focus on earthquakes and tsunamis before extending to other disasters. (May-31, Bangkok Post) Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra says that Thailand would have a tsunami early warning system installed by mid-May and finished by next year. The full system will be finished by the end of 2006.

 

Phuket has already lost some 60 billion baht (US$1.5 billion) in tourism revenue in the 6 months since the tsunami hit. Over 5,000 people have been left unemployed. (Jun-27, the Nation) The southern region used to contribute about half of Thailand’s tourism revenues.

 

Sector Status

Affected Population

Of the 120,000+ Myanmar migrant workers in the area, only 20% registered. The Tsunami Action Group (TAG), a migrant advocate group, and the Law Society of Thailand have estimated that between 700 and 2,500 Myanmar migrant workers went missing. Many of them were not officially registered, and do not appear to be included in the official list of the approximately 5,400 people killed. (June-8, Amnesty International) The Human Rights Education Institute of Burma estimates between 700-1,000 migrants died. (May-20, The Irrawaddy) Other estimates have the number at 1,000 to 7,000. (Jun-27, Irrawaddy) TAG puts the number of dead at 6,000 to 7,000. (Jun-27, Irrawaddy)

 

There appears to be no efforts to track down missing migrants, although there are reportedly 2,000 unidentified bodies of foreign workers. Approximately 2,000 migrants returned to Myanmar in early 2005. (June-8, Amnesty International) Only 25 migrant workers confirmed dead by authorities. Several NGOs working to make available Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) DNA testing in collaboration with International Organization for Migration (IOM). (May-27, UN) Official records show 30,572 Myanmar people registered last year to work or stay in Phang Nga, however aid groups say this probably only represents a third of the real total. (Jun-20, Reuters)

 

Migrant workers now receiving more assistance, with the help of various NGOs and UN agencies. UNFPA reports that this group is being reached by mobile clinics and Burmese-speaking medical personnel. (June-13, UN) The Ranong-based Suphamtir Foundation estimates 2,000 tsunami survivors in need of help (May-20, Irrawaddy) Tsunami Action Group (TAG), a Thai NGO and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) have handed out clothes, food, and legal advice. (Jun-20, Reuters) While the Thai government handed out some US$500 to each Thai survivor, most of the Burmese have received nothing and were afraid to ask for help. Many of the Burmese are now contributing to the rebuilding of Tsunami-affected areas. (Jun-27, Irrawaddy)

 

A Migrant Coordination Center will open in Tak Pua district in Phang Nga in early June to coordinate services to migrants. (May-27, UN) UN Country Team reports tsunami-affected migrants continue to remain vulnerable, although more jobs available in sectors such as fishing and plantations. (May-27, UN) The Ministry of Labor extended the deadline for the registration of immigrant workers until June 2006. (May-10, TNA)

 

UNICEF reports number of orphans unchanged: over 80% living with parent or relative, around 15% living with non-relatives. (May-27, UN)

Coordination

Due to Cabinet member changes, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has ordered the following changes to government coordination of tsunami relief: (May-7, TNA)

 

o         Rebuild homes, infrastructure and revive tourism - Deputy Prime Minister Suwat Liptapanlop will stay in his current position.

o         Pol. Gen. Chidchai Vanasatidya, who is also Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister, will oversee the assistance program

o         Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-Ngam will be responsible for donations

o         Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Newin Chidchob will be responsible for helping owners of fishing trawlers

o         Justice Minister Suwat Liptapanlop will oversee repair of damage caused by the tsunami (May-7, TNA)

 

NGOs and social activists from the Thai Volunteer Service (TVS) and other NGOs gave poor marks to the government’s tsunami relief effort and urged more efficient assistance. (Jun-29, The Nation)

 

GoT will re-survey people who were affected by the tsunami to enable government aid to be properly distributed. (Jun-20, The Nation)

 

Researchers from the University of California Human Rights Center and the University of Hawaii reported aid in southern Thailand has been distributed unfairly, unequally and sometimes incompetently by inexperienced officials, the Bangkok Post reports. A full report is due before the tourism season begins. (Jun-27, Bangkok Post)

 

Boonchai Somjai, new chief of the Phuket Provincial Office of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (ODPM) says that more than 1 billion baht (US$24 million) has been spent in Phuket on tsunami relief. (Jun 25, Phuket Gazette)

 

The organizer of the Tsunami Volunteer Center (TVC) says that more volunteer workers are needed in the southern Andaman provinces. (Jun-26, The Nation)

 

UN reports that many longer-term recovery projects sponsored by the government have only just received approval or actual funding. Apart from providing compensation, the government has made it clear that from its post-tsunami rehabilitation fund of US$150 million, disaster prevention and mitigation are a priority (June-13, UN)

 

The government has provided assistance to tsunami victims totaling nearly US$9 million (355, 727,050 baht). This includes US$623,759 from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, US$2.5 million from the Prime Minister’s Office and US$178,500 from the Ministry of Social and Human Security Development. (June-13, UN) Altogether, government has provided 1.436 billion baht (US$35 million) worth of financial assistance to the six affected provinces. (May-27, UN)

Logistics

 

Food

WFP says that it is providing food assistance to some 26,000 people. (Jun-27, WFP)

 

The FAO says that it will start a second phase of assistance when the emergency phase is completed next month. The FAO, in collaboration with the Japanese government, has provided aid top the 6 affected provinces. (Jun-29, The Nation) FAO is now reporting that a further four projects on agriculture and fisheries rehabilitation will be launched in June, totaling US$1.8 million. (June-13, UN)

Water/Sanitation

 

Public Health/Medical

The Mental Health Recovery Center (MHRC) has opened in Tak Pua district (Phang Nga). So far, 17,501 people have been received, however, doctors say a further 30,000 people in the six affected provinces may need assistance. (May 30, Phuket Gazette)

 

The Health Ministry is currently on high alert for the start of the dengue fever season next month, especially the southern region, which has had a high incidence of cases. (June-7, The Nation)

 

The Disease Control Department keeping watch on seven southern provinces, where malaria is spreading rapidly: Surat Thani, Yala, Phang Nga, Chumphon, Ranong, Narathiwat and Songkhla. Officials said malaria is particularly rampant among Myanmar migrant workers. (June-7, The Nation, Bangkok Post)

 

Following re-appearance of polio in Indonesia, the Public Health Ministry is planning for distribution of vaccine to six major target groups in Thailand, including migrant workers in the three southernmost provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat, and other migrant communities. (June 7, The Nation)

Shelter

Government will step up the building of temporary and permanent houses following criticism that housing was being poorly constructed. (Jun-29, TNA) Housing continues to make up a large proportion of state assistance to those affected. Work in Phang Nga appears to be the fastest. (June-13, UN)

 

UNICEF reports that the number of people in temporary camps (6,000) continues to fall, and continuing emergency needs are largely being met. (May-27, UN)

 

The Royal Thai Army (RTA) has allocated a further 5 million baht (US$122,000) to help construct new houses in Phang Nga province. (June-13, TNA) Some complaints that military-built housing was poorly constructed. (Jun-26, The Nation)

Infrastructure

Ministry of Interior reports 3,833 non-residential buildings damaged, but 2,430 can be repaired. (May-27, UN)

Security

The US, Britain and Australia have issued travel warnings to its citizens, advising against non-essential travel to the south. Insurgency violence continues in three southernmost provinces (Yala, Narathiwat, Pattani). Australia renewed its warning today. (Jun-29, The Nation)