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Indonesia Central Java Earthquake Update

 

June 3, 2006

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Table of Contents:

 

Overview.....................................page 2

Domestic Response……………page 3

International Response………..page 6

Sectors……………………………page 18

 

 

Overview

 

A powerful earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale struck Indonesia’s Yogyakarta and Central Java provinces on the island of Java on May 27 at 5:53 AM local time (Friday, May 26 at 22:53 UTC), killing thousands of people and causing widespread loss to infrastructure and property. According to the USGS (US Geological Survey), the quake’s epicenter was 10 miles (15 kilometers) south of Yogyakarta at a depth of 6.2 miles (10 kilometers). The districts of Bantul, Klaten, Sleman and the city of Yogyakarta are among the worst affected in terms of loss of life. As of today (Saturday, June 3), the official death toll stood at 6,234, with at least 3,580 deaths in Bantul district alone. The death tolls of the districts of Klaten, Sleman and Yogyakarta city are around at least 1,668, 326 and 165 deaths respectively. The Social Affairs Ministry’s disaster task force said some 33,231 people had serious injuries and 12,917 people had minor injuries. The Social Affairs Ministry said that it has dispatched assessment teams to determine the exact number of dead and injured, with new figures being available on Sunday (June 4) at the earliest. Hospitals remain overcrowded, however, the provincial government in Yogyakarta has advised that four field hospitals deployed by Qatar, Singapore, US and China were sufficient. All others have been advised to stand down. Hospitals report that much of the overcrowding is due to patients that have been treated but do not want to or are unable to go home, because they have lost homes in the quake. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), which is supporting Indonesia’s Ministry of Health (MoH), patients are being treated in 48 hospitals, plus field hospitals, health centers, and mobile clinics. MoH has opened another 20 mobile clinics. Some 9,000 hospital beds are serving around 20,000 inpatients and at least more than 34,000 outpatients. According to OCHA, local media quoted the Governor of Yogyakarta as saying that foreign medical aid should be stopped as the immediate life-saving phase is ending. The governor says that the majority of injured are already receiving care. The World Health Organization (WHO) says infectious disease remains a risk because of the crowded nature of the affected area, but the UN agency was not expecting an epidemic. There is no need for additional international Urban Search and Rescue teams. Indonesia’s Department of Social Affairs (DEPSOS) now estimates that 67,505 houses have been completely destroyed and another 72,113 seriously damaged, leaving some 200,000-650,000 displaced or homeless. However, the estimates for displaced people are still being assessed. Family tents are needed to accommodate the homeless. Most of the displaced are reported to be living in makeshift shelters. Downed electric and telephone services have been partially restored. Adi Sucipto Airport in Yogyakarta has reopened only for humanitarian flights and should help alleviate congestion at Solo airport, which until Sunday (May 28) had been the only airport near Yogyakarta that was open for relief flights.

 

The Indonesian government has declared a state of emergency and has allocated US$115 million for relief efforts. US$10 million will be used for emergency response, while the other US$105 million will be used for rehabilitation and reconstruction. The National Development Planning Agency Republic of Indonesia (BAPPENAS) is leading a damage and loss assessment effort and has requested technical assistance from the UN and the World Bank. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has reportedly moved his office to Yogyakarta to monitor relief efforts on the ground closely. The Indonesian government has not formally issued a call for international assistance, however, it is welcoming international assistance. According to media reports, some GOI officials have hinted that unlike in Aceh, no special agency for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the quake-affected areas would be established. According to OCHA, the GOI plans to shorten the period of emergency response and start early recovery after one month. (June 3, OCHA) The UN estimates quake-hit areas will take up to two more weeks before being out of the emergency phase of recovery, but survivors will need help for many months after.

 

Both domestic and international relief supplies have begun to arrive in the affected area. Antibiotics, anesthetics, orthopedics, food, water, blankets and tents are the most urgent needs. BAKORNAS is coordinating international relief assistance at the country level, while the provincial-level Disaster Management Board (SATKORLAK) is working at the provincial level. A 7-member United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team is divided into 3 sub-teams under the leadership of Rajan Gengaje. The United Nations on Friday, (June 2) launched a US$103 million Emergency Response Action Plan for the earthquake-affected areas to cover the immediate needs for the next six months. According to the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), half of the funds should go toward housing. More than 50 international and indigenous relief NGOs are on the ground. At least 22 governments have responded with financial assistance, in-kind material assistance and relief personnel. Charlie Higgins, UN team leader in Yogyakarta, says that the Indonesian government should be able to handle the aid situation without the UN taking a lead role.

 

Indonesia’s Meteorology and Geophysics Agency said that it had recorded several aftershocks of around magnitude 4 overnight, each lasting about 30 seconds, causing some residents to panic. Some residents remain on edge following the 6.3-magnitude earthquake last Saturday (May 27) and because of nearby Mount Merapi, which has threatened to have a major eruption over the past few weeks. Aid workers say a major eruption of Merapi could possibly displace one million people. Merapi has shown increased activity since the quake. Dome of volcano shows daily increase, resulting in gradual displacement of mountain top by 2 to 3 meters (6.5-10 ft) towards southeast side of quake areas.

 

Small-scale looting has occurred in Yogyakarta and Klaten, and some 5,000 military and 700 volunteers have been mobilized to monitor the situation. The UN has said it is aware of the reports but does not see it as a major problem.

 

 

Domestic Response

 

Local Government

 

Government of Indonesia (GOI) plans to shorten emergency response and start early recovery after one month. (Jun-03, OCHA) GOI welcomes international assistance, but classifies the earthquake as a “local disaster.” (May-31, OCHA) BAKORNAS reports that overall required assistance includes temporary shelters, food items, aid transportation for evacuation and delivery of humanitarian aid and other various medical supplies and equipment. Aid distribution mechanism is improving, as aid is being sent directly to POSKOs at the sub-district (kecamatan) level. Transportation facilities (civil and military) have been ordered mobilized by the President. (Jun-03, OCHA) GoI is advising international aid agencies to focus on immediate emergency needs and temporary shelter. (Jun-02, IFRC)