 |
|
|
|||||||||
 |
 |
||||||||||
 |
 |
||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ACT Situation ReportSouth and south east Asia/Indonesia 30/05 December 1, 2005 Indonesia Information provided by ACT members in Indonesia: Yayasan Tanggul Bencana Indonesia (YTBI), Church World Service Indonesia (CWS) and YAKKUM Emergency Unit (YEU). Activities cover the period of November 1-15, 2005. Information compiled by the information officers of the ACT coordination offices in Jakarta and Medan. GENERAL ISSUES Indonesia pulls more troops out of Aceh province Indonesia is in the process of withdrawing approximately 5,700 additional troops from Aceh as part of the peace accord aimed at ending nearly three decades of war in the tsunami-ravaged province. The latest withdrawal will bring to about 18,000 the number of soldiers pulled out from Aceh since late September. The military concluded the third of four planned stages of the pull-out following a historic peace agreement signed on Aug. 15 in Helsinki between the Indonesian government and the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM). Although the third round of decommissioning is still ongoing because Aceh rebels failed to meet their agreed weapons quota, the Indonesian military decided to continue pulling out its troops from the province. The military says it is committed to pulling out its troops and leaving the weapons decommissioning to the Aceh Monitoring Mission (AMM). Under the peace agreement, GAM needs to surrender 840 weapons to peace monitors in four phases by the end of the year. Indonesia, which had more than 30,000 soldiers and 15,000 police in Aceh before the truce, is required to trim its forces to no more than 14,700 soldiers and 9,100 police. The handing in of weapons and the military pullout are seen as the first major tests of the peace agreement, which could pave the way to ending the armed conflict that has killed more than 15,000 people, mostly civilians, in Aceh, an Indonesian resource-rich province on the northern end of Sumatra. The peace deal was signed after the rebels agreed to drop their demand for full independence. In return, the government offered GAM political representation and an amnesty. Earlier peace attempts had failed, but both sides agreed to return to the negotiating table after the Dec. 26, 2004, tsunami which destroyed large swathes of Aceh, leaving more than 167,000 people dead or missing. ACT MEMBERS' ACTIVITIES Relief-aid distribution CWS distributed 238 mosquito nets in Pasar village, Gunungsitoli, Nias. YTBI’s partner (L-PeKa HKBP) is in a process of bidding for relief distribution items. This is needed because there were some changes in price which were caused by the increase of fuel prices on October 1. The price increase for goods was significant; therefore, re-bidding was necessary. Recovery and rehabilitation Health and nutrition YEU provided regular health services to 236 patients in several locations in Aceh Besar and Banda Aceh (Kayu Jati, Lampanah, Lamroh, Daruzzahidin, Blang Ulam, Lhook Mee, Beurandeh). YEU also provided health services to 458 patients at a “Sahabat” hospital clinic in Padang Panyang, Barrack Cot Seulamat and at mobile clinics in six villages (Padang Jawa village, Gampong Teungoh village, Suak Sigadeng village, Cot Mee village, Suak Timah village and Blang Luah village). In Nias, YEU provided health services to 122 patients at fixed clinics in Gunungsitoli and Sirombu. The top three ailments were upper respiratory tract infections, stomach pains and muscle aches and pains. In addition, YEU provided supplementary feeding (biscuits and milk) to 778 children in several villages. Livelihood recovery In Nias, the CWS farmer group in Simaesi village, Sirombu has started its activities in spinach-seed bedding. Farmers in Sifalaete Tabaloho I and II, Gunungsitoli have started making organic fertilizer. Soon they will continue with seed bedding to start the planting process. Two fishermen in Sirombu have started fishing again with a first catch of 25 kg of mackerels. CWS has also distributed fishing tools, compasses and kerosene lanterns to support these activities. In the life-skills sewing activity, training has been conducted 21 times for 20 trainees from five villages (Madula, Hilinaa, Bawedesolo, Sifalaete Tabaloho and Hilihao). The training materials include basic pattern making and cutting fabric for blouses. Trainees were also equipped with tools. In Banda Aceh, four groups of CBOs (community-based organizations) with whom YTBI has been working held monthly meetings in early November. They are Maria HKBP, Tengku Diblang, Modal Bangsa and Permata Mulia. Sewing courses continued as usual. The YTBI working group in Meulaboh completed several stages of work in mid-November: program introduction in each work area; each group, consisting of a maximum of 15 persons, decided on a meeting schedule; facilitation of the groups in building a structure and discussing agreements which will bind all groups’ members; group management training to all formed groups; and bookkeeping and savings training to all formed groups. 8 of the 16 planned groups have formed so far and have completed all stages, while the formation of others is still in progress. In Nias, YTBI’s “FAOITA” community group is continuing its activity in fish farming. In Meulaboh, YEU: provided barbed wire for the Mekar Sari Cot Rambong group for preventing chili plants from forest-pig attacks; supervised land cultivating in Mekar Indah Kuala Tadu; facilitated the preparation of agriculture seed in Mekar Laksmana Lueng manae group; supervised the grass-spraying process for Mekar Makmur Lueng Manee group; supervised preparation for small industries that will produce cans in Mekar Jadi Luang Manee; supervised its routine programs in Mekar Jaya group and Mekar Bahari Kuala Tuha; supervised Mekar Kenwool El-servis Meulaboh; facilitated financial reporting for Mekar Sukron Pangkas Meulaboh groups; and facilitated product marketing for Mekar Sagoe Kubang Gajah. In Samatiga, YEU: supervised the finalization of the repair of a boat and facilitated the “Inong Bangkit” women’s embroidery group in Paya Leumpat; facilitated a meeting with the key persons in the village and also supervised the finishing process of a transit place Kuala Bubon; conducted assessments about villagers’ health conditions in Kuala Bhee and an assessment for the members of GAM in Arongan Lambalek and Samatiga sub-districts. In Nias, CWS has completed the construction of four public water stations and has started the construction of three public latrines in Madula village. In Banda Aceh, YEU built walls for latrines and distributed cement foundations to go next to water reservoirs for wudhu (material for Muslim prayers). Latrine construction in mosques has not been completed yet, so the team was planning to follow up this issue. For latrines and wells which have been constructed, the team made an assessment to find out about the use of them and whether there are complaints or not. In Lhokseumawe, YEU supervised the progress of all drilled wells, dug wells and latrines. In Meulaboh, YEU supervised the progress of all drilled wells, dug wells and latrines. In response to people’s needs in the rainy season, YEU distributed 35 family beds in Padang Jawa. YEU also supervised the construction of latrines in Kuala Bubon Village. Psychosocial activities In Nias, CWS conducted its ECD (early child development) program in Hilinaa (35 children), Madula (36 children), Sifalaete Tabaloho (21 children) and Bawedesolo (43 children). Activities include finger painting, introduction to numbers and occupations. FEAT (fun and educational activities in tents) has been conducted in Bawedesolo for 72 children with painting activities and games. During the Idul Fitri holiday, the YEU psychosocial team in Banda Aceh helped the health team in providing services. The team met with the head of the camp in Beureneut to discuss the establishment of a kindergarten. The education department recommended going through a legal process, so the team asked the head of the camp to form a kindergarten structure (founder, coach, management staff and supervisors) as one of legal procedures for establishing the kindergarten. For the GEAS (Grand Expo Acehku Sayang) event to commemorate the first-year anniversary of the tsunami in December, the team went to the governor’s office to ask permission and information about suitable location. In Lhokseumawe, YEU monitored and supervised the kindergarten in Tana Anoe. In Meulaboh, YEU facilitated Idul Fitri-related activities at the Lueng Manee Mosque. YTBI’s partner in Banda Aceh (L-PeKa HKBP) conducted Halal bi Halal (Idul Fitri gathering) for the community it serves in four locations on November 14. The event was held in Kampong Keuramat Village. At the same time, L-PeKa officially opened a clinic which will provide free health services for the community. After Ramadan, L-PeKa playgroup activities returned to normal. On the first day, Ken Semmler (Lutheran World Federation in Australia) visited the school. Shelter In Banda Aceh, CWS has started the construction of village halls in two villages, Tunong Krueng Kala and Kareung Proses. The construction of 32 houses in Meue village, Pidie district is nearly complete. All houses have been fitted with corrugated iron roofs, and installation of windows and doors is ongoing. YEU monitored the house-construction process in Blang Ulam, Banda Aceh. Because of the Idul Fitri holiday, all the workers have not returned yet from their homes. The YEU shelter team helped the health team in giving health services instead. In Kuala Bubon, Meulaboh, the YEU shelter team made an assessment of the conditions for IDPs’ planned house locations. Another team assisted the villagers in the land-freeing process for the Kuala Bubon IDP shelter. The team also facilitated negotiations between the Kuala Bubon village leader (Keuchik) with Bupati (district leader) of West Aceh and between Kuala Bubon villagers and a representative of West Aceh. Education YTBI’s partner in Banda Aceh (L-PeKa HKBP) conducted additional education for students from elementary age to university students. The subjects are English language, computers, mathematics and physics. L-PeKa planned to begin classes on November 22. To support this activity, L-PeKa has rented a building, which will also be used for CBO (community-based organization) training. NETWORKING AND EXTERNAL RELATIONS VISITORS Chris Herlinger (public information officer) and Rolonda Hughes, from Church World Service headquarters in New York City, visited the ACT Medan office. They were in Aceh for several days, visiting the CWS program in Aceh and shooting video footage. A joint donor visit was conducted in Nias and Aceh. Peter Svensson and Jessie Kgoroeadira (ACT Coordinating Office in Geneva), Hanna Jader (Church of Sweden) and Hannele Kankuri (FinnChurchAid) were in one group, visiting Nias and Meulaboh Aceh. Anthony Morton-King (Christian Aid), Dirk van Gorp (International Orthodox Christian Charities) and Rebecca Young (Presbyterian Disaster Assistance) held individual visits. A debriefing was held in Medan after the visit. The debriefing was attended by all visitors (except Ms. Kankuri), country representatives of Lutheran World Relief, Christian Aid, Australian Lutheran World Service/LWF, ACT implementing members and staff of the ACT offices in Indonesia. The ACT information officer accompanied the visitors to Nias.
|
|
||
