United Nations team arrives at Indonesian quake scene

(New York, 9 February 2004): Following the series of earthquakes that hit Papua province in Indonesia, a team from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) arrived in Nabire on 8 February. The team is supporting local authorities in assessing damages and needs.
The first earthquake, between 6.8 to 6.9 magnitude, struck on 6 February seven kilometers east of Nabire, Papua Province, which is 560 kilometers west of the provincial capital of Jayapura and 3,000 kilometers east of Jakarta. A new major earthquake measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale hit on Saturday 7 February 73 kilometers southwest of Nabire town. Aftershocks continued today, one with a magnitude of 6.6=B0 on the Richter scale.

Electricity and telecommunication systems are completely down. The only means of communication is through radio. Some buildings, houses, and infrastructure have been damaged. However, the scale of the damage is still uncertain. The local airport is also affected and can only be used for light single engine aircraft.

At present, 31 people have been confirmed dead, and the total number of displaced persons is still unknown.

While Indonesia welcomes international assistance, national disaster relief assistance is ongoing in the area. Temporary shelters have been established, and removal of debris and clean-up operations are now underway.

Priority relief needs include blood for transfusion, small power generators, materials for setting up temporary shelters, non-food items, and water purification systems.

For further information, please call: Stephanie Bunker, OCHA NY, 917 367 5126, mobile 917 892 1679; Elizabeth Byrs, OCHA Geneva, 41 22 917 2653, mobile 41(0) 79 472 4570.