Rapid Response Payment Request No. 1/2009

Funds Sent To: Yayasan Tanggul Bencana di Indonesia (YTBI)

Amount Sent: US$ 54,725

Date: 9 January 2009

Details of Response

Emergency: West Papua Earthquake

Date of Emergency: 4 January 2009

Implementing Member: Yayasan Tanggul Bencana di Indonesia (YTBI) with implementing partner, the Evangelical Christian Church in Papua (GKI di Tanah Papua).

DETAILS OF THE EMERGENCY:

A series of powerful tremors shook Manokwari, the capital of West Papua, on 4 January 2009, killing four people and destroying hundreds of buildings. According to the Meteorological and Geophysical Office in Manokwari, the epicenter was 135 km northwest of Manokwari at a depth of 10 km. The Masni Sub-district government authorities report that five villages, respectively Sumberboga, Warori, Boisubur, Masni and Mancabori were severely affected.

The earthquake also affected Sorong where residents rushed into the streets fearing their homes would fall around them. Several people suffered from head and leg injuries and a number of people were hospitalised.

According to various reports at least four people have died as a result of the quakes while dozens of people have been injured. Some 265 buildings collapsed in Manokwari and approximately 600 buildings collapsed in Sorong. Hundreds of other buildings were damaged. Communication networks were also affected following the disaster.

Close to 14,000 people have been displaced and still remain in tents and military barracks.

ACTIONS TO DATE, AND EMERGENCY NEEDS:

The government has sent 12.5 tons of food assistance, as well as a team of medical doctors including specialists in orthopaedics and internal medicine. The local Logistics Bureau has provided 50 to 100 tons of rice for the affected people. The District Coordination Units for Disaster Management (SATLAK) has conducted data collection of the evacuated people to ensure effective distribution of assistance.

Several international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have responded to the disaster situation, as follows:

- The UN Development Programme, UNICEF and ILO have conducted rapid assessments and a UN office in Jayapura has confirmed continued support to the local government.

- The Indonesian Red Cross and Medicins Sans Frontieres are planning to enter the disaster location.

- Catholic Relief Services and HOPE Worldwide are sending an assessment team for health, food, livelihood resilience and logistics to Manokwari.

- World Vision plans to distribute 100 plastic mats in Masni sub-district, Manokwari district, one of the locations near the epicenter.

- The UN Refugee Agency office in Jakarta continues to monitor the situation.

- Immediately following the quake, YTBI allocated Rp. 15,000,000 (US $1,350.00) for immediate humanitarian assistance through the GKI in Tanah Papua Church for distribution in Manokwari and Sorong.

PROPOSED EMERGENCY RESPONSE

YTBI's emergency response team will continue coordination with YTBI partners in mobilising assistance through GKI in Manokwari and Sorong. The most urgently needed items at the moment are food, tents, blankets, water and sanitation, medical and psycho-social services.

OBJECTIVE(S) OF THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE

To reduce the vulnerability of the most seriously affected communities in Manokwari and Sorong districts.

TARGET POPULATIONS

Beneficiaries Information and Location Response:

Location / IDPs / HH / Babies / Children / Man / Female / Total

Kodim / 1003 / 199 / 121 / 329 / 291 / 289 / 909

GOR / 1054 / 211 / 125 / 347 / 302 / 298 / 947

Sumberboga / 1524 / 306 / 182 / 507 / 453 / 401 / 1361

Warori / 1109 / 222 / 131 / 366 / 322 / 311 / 999

Boisubur / 1244 / 244 / 147 / 409 / 332 / 334 / 1075

Masni / 3021 / 609 / 368 / 997 / 804 / 789 / 2590

Total: 8955 / 1791 / 1074 / 2955 / 2504 / 2422 / 7881

These above are the closest villages to the epicenter and have suffered the most damage. Most of the affected people are farmers or fishermen. These areas are located in Manokwari and Sorong districts, but most of the IDPs are in Manokwari.

PROPOSED ASSISTANCE

A rapid needs assesment team has been formed with YTBI's partner, Evangelical Christian Church in Papua (GKI di Tanah Papua). Based on the quantitative and qualitative data and the needs identified, the most urgently needed items are as follows: tents, blankets, medical services, water and sanitation.

IMPLEMENTATION ARRANGEMENTS

Members and volunteers of the Evangelical Christian Church in Papua (GKI di Tanah Papua) will implement the relief activities with one member from YTBI, YEU and CWSI assisting and monitoring.

COORDINATION

As agreed with the other ACT Forum members, Church World Service Indonesia (CWSI) and YAKKUM Emergency Aid (YEU) YTBI will co-ordinate the work with its partner (the Synod of Evangelical Christian Church in Papua - GKI di Tanah Papua) on behalf of the Forum. There will also be one staff member from YTBI, YEU and CWSI in the area to help with facilitation and monitoring.

PLANNED IMPLEMENTATION PERIOD

8 weeks: activities should be completed by mid March 2009.

BUDGET: US$ 54,725

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FOR THE FULL TEXT AND BUDGET (PDF FILE), KINDLY VISIT THE ACT SITE. THANK YOU. ______________________________________________________________________________

ACTION

The ACT Co-ordinating Office has approved the use of US$ 54,725 towards the budget from its Rapid Response Fund and would be grateful to receive contributions to wholly or partially replenish this payment.

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ACT is a global alliance of churches and related agencies working to save lives and support communities in emergencies worldwide. The ACT Coordinating Office is based with the World Council of Churches (WCC) and The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in Switzerland.