More assistance needed after Indonesia earthquake

(New York: 23 June 2006): Four weeks on from the destructive earthquake that struck the Indonesian island of Java, affecting in particular the districts of Bantul in Yogyakarta province and Klaten in Central Java, it is now apparent that the damage sustained, particularly to housing, is worse than initially thought.
At least one million people have lost their homes and reconstruction is expected to take a minimum of two years. Funding is still needed to provide emergency shelter for more than 300,000 people. Although more than 106,000 tarpaulins and tents have been distributed by the Government and humanitarian community to date, current estimates are that only 48 per cent of those rendered homeless will have received emergency shelter assistance by the end of July.

Additionally, while the Government and the World Food Programme (WFP) and partners have distributed over 6,000 metric tonnes of food to more than 1.7 million people, the lack of firm funding commitments means that the WFP pipeline is ensured only through the end of July. Without immediate new contributions, food aid for the most vulnerable -- mostly women and children -- will have to be drastically reduced.

Another top priority is the water and sanitation sector, where more assistance is required to speed up construction of emergency toilets, clean wells, distribute hygiene kits and promote awareness among affected communities. In the health sector, ongoing care of significant and infected wounds remains a major challenge. Many patients have returned to their homes, often in remote areas, where access to care is difficult. Up to 60 per cent of patients currently being treated suffer from regular health issues, with a number of conditions relating to earthquake-induced stress. Additional support for the purchase of medical supplies and equipment is vital.

On the education front, the new school term is scheduled to start in mid-July, but the earthquake damaged or destroyed more than 1,800 schools. There is an urgent need for basic teaching and learning materials for some 300 primary schools, as well as for additional school tents and adequate water and sanitation facilities at temporary learning spaces. Temporary schools will be needed to bridge the gap between tent schools and the construction of permanent buildings.

Overall, the national response to the earthquake has been swift, not least because attention and resources were already focused on the Mt. Merapi Volcano. The Government's national, provincial and districts disaster authorities took a lead role in coordinating emergency response on the ground, with the support of the international community. However, against the requirements outlined in the Emergency Response Plan put together by the United Nations country team, which asks for some $103 million for relief activities, only $23 million has been pledged or committed, or less than 23 per cent.

For further information, please call: Stephanie Bunker, OCHA-New York, +1 917 367 5126, mobile +1 917 892 1679; Kristen Knutson, OCHA-New York, +1 917 367 9262; Elisabeth Byrs, OCHA-Geneva, +41 22 917 2653, mobile, +41 79 473 4570. OCHA press releases are available at http://ochaonline.un.org or www.reliefweb.int.