Since January1999 Ambon has been suffering the ravages of violent sectarian clashes. Since the second serious clash in July 1999, the violence has spread to all the Maluku Islands with the conflict heating up after the landing of Muslim Jihad Troops from Java and South Sulawesi in May this year. In spite of a declared state of emergency and pleas by the international community, fresh outbursts of violence are continuing and signs are that the situation is getting worse.

ACT members and partners in Indonesia - Yayasan Tanggul Bencana (YTB) and the Crisis Center (CC) of Persekutuan Gereja-gereja di Indonesia (PGI), Church World Service (CWS) and the Community Development Unit of Bethesda Hospital (CD Bethesda), are proposing assistance comprising the following:

 Summary of Appeal Targets, Pledges/Contributions Received and Balance Requested

Signed by:
Thor-Arne Prois, ACT Coordinator
Geneviève Jacques, Director, Cluster on Relations, World Council of Churches
Rudolf Hinz, Director, Department for World Service, Lutheran World Federation

REQUESTING ACT MEMBER INFORMATION

• ACT-Netherlands formerly Dutch Interchurch Aid (DIA)

IMPLEMENTING ACT MEMBER and PARTNER INFORMATION

ACT-Netherlands local partner The Community Development Unit of Bethesda Hospital (CD Bethesda) is an outreach service unit of Bethesda Hospital. It was established in 1974 under the Yogyakarta branch of the Christian Foundation for public health. CD Bethesda was originally established to assist poor patients whose problems could not be solved by the hospital alone. Illnesses in communities are often caused by poverty and unjust social structures. Consequently, to solve the problems of illness, poverty and injustice, a holistic approach is needed and CD Bethesda tries to help communities solve their own health care problems.

Currently CD Bethesda serves 165 villages mostly in the eastern part of Indonesia extending from Yogyakarta and Central Java, to Flores, Sumba, Alor, Irian Jaya and East Timor. Fifty six permanent field staff work in 7 field secretariats in Yogyakarta, Pati, Maumere, Waikabubak, Maritaing, Wamena Sanggata and Dili.

Immediately following the first clash in Ambon in January 1999, CD Bethesda in co-operation with Baileo Maluku supported by Oxfam GB and SOH provided basic health prevention and treatment -assisting 1,573 patients, health posts were set up in ten camps, water and sanitation in nine camps along with supplementary feeding for babies and lactating mothers. Twenty two full-time volunteers, 3 medical doctors, 5 nurses and one environmental health engineer managed this programme.

Following the second round of clashes (August – December 1999) mobile medical relief teams were set up along with distribution of 5 tons of milk for babies, 20 tons of non-food. A non-violence campaign was also initiated. During that period more than 15,200 displaced persons benefited from the health care programme, 2,286 from the supplementary feeding programme and 7,510 from the sanitation programme.

From January to end May 2000 around 5,800 patients have benefited from the mobile health service and 42 camp based medicine posts. More than 600 infants under the age of five and lactating mothers have been assisted through the supplementary feeding programme. Combined with the humanitarian work a project called "Cell Reconciliation" has been set up in 7 villages (both Moslem and Christian) to initiate dialogue between the communities.

DESCRIPTION of the EMERGENCY SITUATION

Background
Since January1999, Ambon has been suffering the ravages of violent sectarian clashes. Serious and major clashes have occurred in January 1999, July 1999, May 2000 and by far the most serious one happened in June 2000. Since the July 1999 clash, the violence has spread to all the Maluku Islands with the conflict in Maluku heating up after the landing of Muslim Jihad Troops from Java and South Sulawesi, totalling about 7,200 civil militia in the whole of Maluku of which 3,200 are on Ambon Island. The military are unable to perform their function as peace keepers due to lack of neutrality concerning internal conflicts and no single, clear directive.

Current Situation
The most recent conflict in Ambon started on 21 June and resulted in a large number of internally displaced persons (IDPs). The aggression points where the recent conflicts exploded were in Tantui, Galala, Hative kecil, Nania, Negeri Lama, Suli (outer part of town/country side). Tanah Lapang Kecil, Batu Gantung, Kampung Waringin, Kampung Kolam, Perigi Lima, Karang Panjang, Urimessing, Kuda Mati, Mangga Dua, Belakang Soya, da Silva (down town). Houses, property and shops have been destroyed in the riots and the elderly, women and children have fled to the relative security of the mountains. Thousands of terrified residents have also fled the riot-torn city by boat, after their neighbourhood was destroyed by fire. The flow of refugees continues.

Economically the riots have had drastic consequences with closure of banks and most businesses. Rice stocks running low in the local shops and long queues are a common sight for the rapidly decreasing stocks of fuel and petroleum while prices are rocketing 200 to 300% for most basic items. It is difficult to determine the exact number of new IDPs, but it has been estimated at around 60,000 persons in the Christian areas, with the old IDPs in Moslem areas being relatively secure.

The rainy season is now in progress causing frequent flooding compounded by land and mud slides, especially in the hills, making access to the hill camps very difficult. Sea transport has also become relatively dangerous as a result of high winds and tides, along with torrential rain. The main speedboat transportation that connected the villages in Ambon Bagola Gulf has collapsed due to a sea war among the conflicting parties and danger from snipers. All this has only exacerbated the situation for the IDPs and those trying to reach the most vulnerable with aid.

Lateri village,Passo village,Latta village, Batu Gong village, Kompleks Kehakiman Passo , Gudang Pupuk Batu Gong , Balai Latihan Kerja (BLK) Batu Gong, Toisapu village, SDN Toisapu, SLTP Toisapu, Hutumuri village, Rutong village, Hukurila village , Ema village , Kilang village, Soya village, Kayu Putih, Bere-Bere, Latta, Lateri, Lanal Halong, Secata B Suli, Kusu-Kusu, Mahia village, Hatalai village, Laehari village, Naku village,

The upsurge in violence the past month led the central government to impose a state of civil emergency which has proven to be ineffective since the conflict continues and the victims are neglected by the civil emergency authority.

Impact on Human Life
There was a large flow of IDPs in the following areas Batu Gong, Toisapu village, Hutumuri, Rutong, Leahari, Hukurila (seashore area in the southern part of Ambon) also in the areas of Bere-Bere, Kayu Putih, Soya, Kusu-Kusu, Mahia, Hatalai, Kilang, Naku, Ema (the west part of the mountain range).

School buildings are being used as temporary camps for some of the IDPs, but conditions worsen for the IDPs as they have to flee from one camp to another to escape the violence. Furthermore, the IDP camps are overcrowded and lack basic sanitation and water facilities. Private houses do not fare any better, often sheltering up to four families if not more.

Health and Sanitation
It rains daily making the environment humid and the health condition of the IDPs more vulnerable. The IDPs sleep on plaited mats on the floor, with mud and water leaking everywhere along with the ever growing piles of waste. Hygiene is non-existent with all activities carried out in the same overcrowded room with no facilities for personal cleanliness and few items such as soap and toothpaste, etc. Potable water is difficult to find as the rainy season is rendering the normally clean springs turbid. When it rains, the air in the camps is stuffy and humid along with an acrid, stinging smell.

The CD Bethesda medical team provides a 24 hour medical service in the camps averaging about 100 patients a day while the mobile team averages 300 patients per day. The most common health problems are ARI, Malaria and dermatitis mostly among children and the elderly.

Food
Prices are rising as stocks are diminishing and even rice the staple food, is becoming more difficult to find. Fish is also out of stock as the seas are too rough for regular fishing.

Humanitarian Support
One month before the declaration of the Civil Emergency Status at the end of June, three international humanitarian organisations which worked in Ambon closed their operations and withdrew. The Ambon Humanitarian Team facilitated by CD Bethesda is providing medical care for the IDPs, while surgery and other trauma cases are covered by a surgeon from Ujung Pandang, sent by the Minister of Health in Jakarta.

GOAL & OBJECTIVES

The main goal is to alleviate the suffering of the people, especially the most vulnerable children, women and the elderly. The project will also be used as the entry point for grassroots violence reduction and reconciliation

Objectives

• To alleviate the suffering of 20,000 IDPs (4,000 families) in 40 Christian IDP camps and 15 Moslem IDP camps by providing 50 to 100 % of their basic needs for a period of 3 months.
• To reduce the incident rate of disease by providing a mobile health team for 10,000 patients , a health post for 27 camps and supplementary nutritional feeding for infants and children
• To provide basic water and sanitation need (case by case) in 27 new camps.

PROPOSED EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE & IMPLEMENTATION

Description of Assistance
As the IDPs have left behind all their belongings, basic necessities are needed by all 60,000 IDPs. However, based on the capacity of the Bethesda team, only 20,000 IDPs (4,000 families) will be targetted for 50- 100 % fulfilment of urgent basic necessities.

A mobile medical service (two teams – one Christian and one Moslem) will visit the camps on a regular basis, assisting around 10,000 patients over a three month period.

Procurement of items
As not all goods are available in Ambon, some items will be procured elsewhere. 40% of the medicines can be purchased in Ambon and the logistic team in Surabaya will purchase and package the goods .

Transportation
The means of transportation will depend on the security situation in Ambon. CD Bethesda has already approached civil and military authorities and others to facilitate access to the victims. CD Bethesda can possibly transport the goods through an air force Hercules, navy warship and perhaps through commercial cargo. The total estimated load is 160 MT or about 170 M³ .

As a test run to open the humanitarian corridor, a Hercules delivered about 15 MT of food and medicines accompanied by a diplomatic humanitarian team consisting of 2 Moslems from Yogyakara, 2 Christians from Jakarta and 1 MD from CD Bethesda on 21 July. By 26 July, another Hercules had transported a further 15 MT of aid to Ambon, accompanied by 2 CD Bethesda volunteers. Further airlifts are also planned for Ambon. These airlifts are being pre-financed by ACT Netherlands and OXFAM Great Britain.

With special acknowledgement and protection from the civil emergency authority and the military, CD Bethesda’s Moslem volunteers and staff will take care of the logistics. The same activities will also be carried out by Christian volunteers. For distribution from the warehouse to each camp in the "hot conflict" areas special protection will be necessary from the military.

The mobile team tasks will be implemented by two existing health teams that work in separate areas occupied by Moslems and Christians.

Transition from Emergency
The uncertain political situation in Ambon poses considerable difficulties in planning the transition from the emergency to rehabilitation phase. It is hoped that the IDPs will be able to return to their homes soon and CD Bethesda includes in its emergency work a reconciliatory approach, encouraging dialogue whenever/wherever possible.

MANAGEMENT, FINANCE, MONITORING & REPORTING

The project will be run by existing staff that include : 1 Project Manager based in Yogyakarta , 1 Field Project manager based in Ambon, a logistics team of 3 persons in Yogyakarta, a volunteer logistics team of 10 persons for Christian camps and 5 volunteers for Muslim Teams along with 1 MD, 3 nurses and 5 volunteers for the Mobile Medical Team for Christian camps, 1 MD, two nurses and 6 volunteers for the Mobile Medical Team for Muslim Camps, 2 staff for the Communication and Mediation Diplomacy Mission Team in Ambon, 4 secretaries and 4 finance staff based in Yogyakarta and Ambon.

Items needed by the teams include 2 trucks for the Logistic Team, 2 ambulances for the mobile medical team, a speedboat for both the logistics team and the medical team, 2 warehouses, 2 volunteer secretaries, two sets of computers and 1 satellite phone.

Monitoring will be done by CD Bethesda Manager and by ACT Netherlands during a visit in August/September 2000.

Reporting will take place two months after execution of the project.

COORDINATION

International Agencies in Jakarta: On 30 June 2000, a national round table meeting took place with all the international humanitarian organisations (including CD Bethesda) and their back donors who are working in Ambon. It was decided that all concerned parties should meet once a week in the UN Building to co-ordinate the humanitarian work for Ambon.

Government & Military: On 29 June 2000 a meeting took place with the Secretary to the President with the aim of advocating humanitarian issues.

National NGO Network: A Joint Humanitarian Mission for Ambon was established, the members being CD Bethesda, the National Volunteer Network for Maluku Crisis, the Independent Team for Ambon Reconciliation, Kontras, the Centre for Peace and Security Studies of Gajah Mada University and Ciscore.

Local Networking: Baileo Maluku (established 1990) is a network of 8 NGOs in Maluku and two humanitarian volunteer teams TRKA that are working in Moslem and Christian areas. The local co-ordination of civil emergency authorities, Protestant and Catholic churches and Moslem leaders is through Baileo Maluku and TRKA.

BUDGET