INDONESIA: MAY 29 EARTHQUAKE SITREP

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 JAKARTA 006658

SIPDIS

AIDAC
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AEMR ASEC CASC SOCI PREF PGOV SENV ID
SUBJECT: INDONESIA: MAY 29 EARTHQUAKE SITREP

REF: JAKARTA 06653 MAY 28 EMBASSY MEETING RE EARTHQUAKE


1. (U) Summary: A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck early May
27 south of the central Java town of Yogyakarta, causing
widespread destruction and high fatalities. The current
death toll has reached 5,010 with an additional 14,000
injured in the earthquake, with 8,000 requiring surgery
(hospital capacity in Yogyakarta and surrounding area was
3,000 before the earthquake). Casualty figures are expected
to increase as rescuers dig additional victims from the
rubble. The earthquake damaged more than 25,000 houses,
10,000 of which collapsed entirely, leaving more than 100,000
persons homeless. Embassy on-the-ground staff report more
than 95 percent damage to the village of Kotasan near
Prambanan. The Indonesian Government estimates damage in
excess of $300 million. Heavy evening rains have exacerbated
harsh conditions for survivors.


2. (U) The Yogyakarta airport has reopened to receive relief
flights and authorities have restored many services in the
city, though the area closest to the quake remains without
power or running water. Medical personnel are caring for a
majority of patients outside of hospitals, for fear of
structural damage to medical facilities. The U.S. has
provided an initial $2.5 million in emergency relief supplies
for the earthquake from Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance
(OFDA) funds. The U.S. Pacific Command has dispatched an
82-member medical team from the Third Marine Brigade based in
Okinawa. The first elements of the team will arrive in
Yogyakarta the evening of May 29, with the remainder arriving
May 30. Embassy teams are currently in the field conducting
assessments in Yogyakarta, Klaten and Bantul, and making
preparations for the U.S. Marine medical team. The Embassy
team is in close coordination with the local government and
other donors (UN, AusAID, Oxfam, other NGOs). The team
reports that in Klaten, 90 percent of houses in the most
affected sub-district sustained damage, and survivors still
have received no visible assistance and remain huddled near
their destroyed houses.


3. (U) The Indonesian Government May 29 assembled donor
countries and international organizations in Jakarta to
provide a situation report and outline key GOI decisions:
the GOI will focus on reconstruction of housing to avoid
keeping large numbers of survivors in temporary shelters; the
GOI intends to revive the Yogyakarta region's economy through
"massive cash infusions," particularly through compensation
to individuals for losses (to include cash payments of Rp 2
million ($220) in cash for each deceased family member);
Coordinating Minister for Peoples' Welfare Abu Rizal Bakrie
will assume overall responsibility for the relief effort.

4. (U) The International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC)
and Indonesian Red Cross (PMI),a UN team (comprised of
UNOCHA, World Food Program, and UNICEF),Oxfam, Singapore
Mercy, Plan International, CWS, and other agencies are
already conducting fieldwork, including quick situation
assessments, and are holding daily coordinating meetings.
The frequency of aftershocks from the earthquake has
diminished. Volcanic activity, already high at the Mt.
Merapi volcano, located approximately 20 km north of
Yogyakarta, may have increased slightly since Saturday,s
quake with a general increase in the number of rock falls and
pyroclastic flows. USGS geologists warn that Merapi,s
reaction to the quake may yet play out, citing examples of
tectonic earthquakes that were followed by some increase in
activity at Merapi. End Summary

May 27 Quake Rocks Historic Central Java
--------------


5. (U) On Saturday, May 27, at 5:50 a.m., an earthquake
struck Central Java with a magnitude of 6.2 on the Richter
scale, centered in the Indian Ocean about 25-30 km south of
Yogyakarta. Although major earthquakes of this kind are rare
in Java, Indonesian government geologists say the quake
occurred along a long-mapped fault that runs northeast from
near the city of Parangtritis, on the south coast just south
of Yogyakarta, north-northeast into Klaten province, just
east of the famous 10th century Prambanan Temple,

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approximately 20 km east of Yogyakarta. The Yogyakarta
airport was damaged in the quake but has reopened to receive
relief flights. Both train and bus transportation to and
within Yogyakarta has been restarted. Authorities restored
electricity to most of the Yogyakarta area, but the area
closest to the quake remains without power or running water.
Telecommunications remain intermittent in much of the area,
but are gradually improving.

Death Toll Climbs to 5,010
--------------


6. (U) As of late May 29, the death toll stood at 5,010.
Data of reported deaths by regency:

Bantul: 3,082 dead
Sleman: 174 dead
Yogyakarta: 151 dead
Gunung Kidul: 42 dead
Kulon Progo: 15 dead
Klaten: 1542 dead
Magelang: 1 dead
Boyolali: 3 dead

Damage Assessment
--------------


7. (U) An earlier, May 27 United Nation assessment of damage
in the six most-affected areas:

-- Njetis (population 49,000): 80 percent of buildings
reported damaged with 100 fatalities. Evacuees are
concentrated in shelters with location for future camp
allocated. Well water is available to evacuees, with
on-going evacuation using 2 buses.

-- Imogiri: 80-99 percent of buildings reported damaged with
58 fatalities. Evacuees are concentrated in 5 settlements
(Kebon Agung, Sriharjo, Selopamioko, Cermai, Wukirsari,
Girirejo),with location available for future camp. Well and
river water available to evacuees, but not sufficient.
Evacuation is ongoing.

-- Sawon (population 76,000): Evacuees are concentrated in 3
settlements (Bangunharjo, Timbulharo and Pendowoharjo). Well
water and public kitchen services provided by local community
available to evacuees.

-- Pundong: (population 33,000) 90 percent of buildings
reported damaged. Evacuees are concentrated into 2
settlements. Water source is unusable due to the impact of
the earthquake.
-- Pleret (population 34,000): 80%-90% of buildings reported
damaged. Evacuees are concentrated into 2 settlements with 2
future camp sites available.

-- Bangunpapan: 75 percent of buildings reported damaged.
Evacuees are concentrated in one settlement located in
Lapangan Jambitan. Evacuees reported gathering in any
available open areas but are without shelter.

Injuries and Destruction
--------------


8. (U) As of late Monday, May 29, some 14,000 appear injured
in the earthquake, with 8,000 requiring surgery (hospital
capacity Yogyakarta and surrounding area was 3,000 before the
earthquake). Casualty figures are expected to increase as
rescuers dig additional victims from the rubble. Many of the
dead were immediately buried, and many of the injured victims
were taken home without being treated by the area,s
overwhelmed medical facilities. The earthquake damaged more
than 25,000 houses, 10,000 of which collapsed entirely,
leaving more than 100,000 persons homeless. Embassy
on-the-ground staff report more than 95 percent damage to the
village of Kotasan near Prambanan. The Indonesian Government
estimates damage in excess of $300 million. Heavy evening
rains have exacerbated conditions for survivors. Casualty
figures are expected to increase, although the exact numbers

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of victims are difficult to collect.

President Yudhoyono On The Scene
--------------


9. (U) President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono decided to
coordinate the emergency response for the next four days out
of a temporary office in Yogyakarta. GOI officials told the
press the Government had prepared a total of $32 million for
earthquake disaster response out of the 2006 emergency
budget. TNI has mobilized 1,000 personnel and will provide
heavy equipment, tents, medical equipment and supplies. The
Indonesian Government reported late May 28 it would allocate
$107 million to help rebuild the Yogyakarta region over the
next year. Yudhoyono acknowledged a "lack of coordination"
in aid distribution when he visited refugees May 29 and
called for government officials to be "more agile," adding
that "I saw in many areas that there are many things that
need to be speeded up." Yudhoyono -- criticized by some as
being hesitant to act in the past -- spent the first night
after Saturday's quake sleeping in a tent along with
survivors and moved his office to the nearby city of
Yogyakarta to supervise relief operations.

GOI Assembles Donors
--------------


10. (U) Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani assembled donors the
afternoon of May 29 to provide a situation report and
describe GOI priorities. DCM and Embassy USAID Program
Coordinator attended for the U.S.; most all Embassies and
international organizations sent representatives. Because
President Yudhoyono summoned Mulyani to join him in
Yogyakarta, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs
Boediono chaired the meeting. Most country representatives
briefed on individual donor plans or proposed assistance; the
UN representative called for greater donor coordination and
said that he would call for a meeting of NGOs May 30 to
coordinate assistance.


11. (U) Boediono reported that the GOI had established three
priorities. The first was to focus on reconstruction of
housing to avoid keeping large numbers of survivors in
temporary housing. He said the GOI wanted to "push
decision-making as low as possible" and provide "block cash
grants" to accelerate reconstruction. Second, the GOI
intended to revive the Yogyakarta region's economy through
"massive cash infusions," particularly through compensation
to individuals for losses, to include cash payments of Rp 2
million ($200) in cash for each deceased family member.
Finally, Boediono announced that Coordinating Minister for
Peoples' Welfare Abu Rizal Bakrie would have overall
responsibility for the relief effort, although he somewhat
confusingly urged donors to make contact with local
authorities as well.


12. (SBU) President Yudhoyono clearly has put Boediono and
other officials under pressure to move quickly to address
Yogyakarta's problems and speed reconstruction. Several
donors asked Boediono for a "negative list" of items
Indonesian officials do not need to enable donors to focus
assistance more effectively. The EU representative and
several European embassies urged the GOI to develop an
"Eighteen Month Reconstruction Plan." Several donors
expressed their admiration for the speed of the U.S. response.

Medical Resources Stretched
--------------


13. (U) Embassy Jakarta and CG Surabaya personnel in the area
on May 28 reported an estimated 6,500 patients interned in 5
large hospitals and 8 small hospitals. Of these patients,
3,000 are interned in Bantul Regency hospitals, 2,000 in
Sardjito General Hospital in Yogyakarta proper, and 1,500 in
other regional hospitals. One field hospital is available
in Bantul near the Indonesian Red Cross building. Injured
are mostly reporting broken bones and head injuries. Medical
personnel are caring for a majority of patients outside of
the hospitals due to fears of structural damage to the

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buildings. Indonesian teams are performing structural
analysis of the hospitals. Additional burdens to local
hospitals include a high number of family members and friends
of victims who have temporarily relocated themselves to the
hospital facilities in order to care for injured family.


14. (U) Hospitals report that they have approximately two
more days of medical supplies. Required medications include
antibiotics, antiseptics, pain killers, anesthetics,
intravenous solution, bandages, x-ray film, needles and
suturing thread, latex gloves and other basic medical
supplies. Other needs include field or mobile hospitals,
first aid kits, medical waste disposal, additional medical
staff, and vehicles to bring injured to hospitals/clinics.

Homeless Increase Shelter, Food, Sanitation Concerns
-------------- --------------


15. (U) The estimated 100,000 homeless scattered throughout
the Yogyakarta region have moved to available open spaces,
fearing the collapse of formal structures. Running water is
still available in Yogykarta proper, but remains unavailable
in Bantul. No water or sanitation facilities exist in most
of the present shelters. Sanitation and waste disposal has
become an issue at hospitals due to the burden placed on
existing facilities by the number of patients and their
attending families and friends. Disaster relief coordinators
associated with the GOI report a lack of tents, plastic
tarps, blankets and sleeping mats.

Disaster Relief Response
--------------


16. (U) The U.S. has provided an initial $2.5 million in
emergency relief supplies for the earthquake from Office of
Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) funds. Embassy USAID
staff are currently in the field, conducting assessments in
Yogyakarta, Klaten and Bantul. They are in close
coordination with the local government and other donors (UN,
AusAID, Oxfam, other NGOs). The U.S. Pacific Command has
dispatched an 82-member medical team from the Third Marine
Brigade based in Okinawa. The first elements of the team
will arrive in Yogykarta the evening of May 29, with the
remainder arriving May 30.


17. (U) On May 29, an Embassy Environmental Services Program
team began to conduct water supply and sanitation assessments
at evacuation camps and hospitals. Assistance required to
provide water and sanitation facilities includes water
tanks/bladders, water tank cars, water pumps, equipment for
producing drinking water, public restrooms, solid waste
management (in coordination with GOI sanitation management
authorities),garbage receptacles, and additional water
resources (in coordination with local GOI water management
authorities). In some camps, the Indonesian military and the
Indonesian Red Cross have provided field kitchens. The World
Food Program and the GOI,s National Logistics Board are
currently arranging to provide foodstuffs for evacuees.
Exact details regarding these arrangements are unavailable at
this time. Additional foodstuffs including baby food and
formula are required. Hygiene kits are currently being
prepared for distribution to evacuees and generators are
needed, especially at the hospitals/clinics.

Assistance from Other Donors
--------------


18. (U) The International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC)
and Indonesian Red Cross (PMI),a UN team (comprised of
UNOCHA, World Food Program, and UNICEF),Oxfam, Singapore
Mercy, Plan International, CWS, and other agencies are
already conducting fieldwork, including quick situation
assessments and hold daily coordinating meetings. The UN
Disaster Assistance Coordination Team (UNDAC) has deployed
in-country staff to assess shelter, water and sanitation,
food supplies and health facilities. In their on-going
assessment UNDAC has preliminarily determined that
distribution of supplies is problematic, while supply itself
not an issue. This assessment team feels at this time that

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there are enough resources to support their operation and
thus feels that they will not appeal for further donations.


19. (U) International assistance includes:

Singapore: Four Singapore C-130 military cargo planes arrived
May 28 at Yogyakarta airport with doctors and medical
supplies. Singapore's personnel consist of medical teams (25
persons),civil defense disaster relief team (43 persons),
and command team (14 persons),including eight medical
doctors. They will be deployed to Jetis sub-district in
Bantul district.

Malaysia: A Malaysian rescue team arrived today, consisting
of a search and rescue team (56 persons) plus medical and
command teams. They will be deployed to Plered sub-district
in Bantul district.

Philippines: The Philippines will deploy a 20-member
Philippine medical contingent with three tons of relief goods
and medicine this week, according to Philippine officials.
The team of doctors, nurses, psychologists and orthopaedic
surgeons will leave as early as Tuesday aboard a Philippine
air force C-130 plane for Jakarta, officials said.

Italy: Sending an aircraft with 27 tons of tents, blankets
and water purification equipment.

Canada: Has offered $1.8 million and plans to send an 11-man
reconnaissance team.

China: Has offered $2 million

Taiwan: Sent C-130 with supplies.

EC: The European Commission has pledged US$ 3.8 million in
emergency assistance.

Quake Prompts Slight Increase in Merapi,s Activity
-------------- --------------


20. (U) Aftershocks from the May 27 earthquake have
significantly reduced in number since Saturday, although on
May 28 geologists still noted several aftershocks. Volcanic
activity at the Mt. Merapi volcano, located approximately 20
km north of Yogyakarta, had been high for several weeks
preceding the earthquake and may have increased slightly
since. The main direction of pyroclastic flows has also
shifted, but it remains unclear if this is a fundamental or
temporary change. Seismic activity since the quake is
dominated by aftershocks but there has also been a general
increase in the number of rockfalls and pyroclastic flows,
many of which flow into a river valley that extends right
down into the area hardest hit by the earthquake. USGS
geologists warn that Merapi,s reaction to the quake may yet
play out, citing examples of tectonic earthquakes that were
followed by some increase in activity at Merapi. They will
continue to work closely with Indonesian geologists to
monitor the situation, including any increase in the
extrusion rate that might escalate into explosive activity.
The Merapi observatory suffered moderate damage in the
earthquake but is now fully operational.
PASCOE