INDONESIA TSUNAMI-EARTHQUAKE JULY 21 UPDATE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 009159 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP/MTS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AEMR CASC EAID PREL SENV SOCI ID SUBJECT: INDONESIA TSUNAMI-EARTHQUAKE JULY 21 UPDATE Ref: A. Jakarta 9044 (July 18 Update) ¶B. Jakarta 8959 (July 17 Update) ¶B. Jakarta 8956 (DISASTER DECLARATION) JAKARTA 00009159 001.2 OF 002 Summary. The GOI has adjusted its count of victims from the July 17 earthquake and tsunami to 493 dead, 954 injured and 362 missing. An estimated 74,000 people have been displaced but most are expected to be returning to their homes over the weekend. The Indonesian government estimates damages (actual and lost tourism) at USD 20 million. The three- person Embassy team returned from the emergency site after meeting with GOI officials and relief organizations to gather information and concluded that no Americans were injured or killed. National news wires, television and print media all carried press release information about the USG $50,000 contribution to Red Cross/Red Crescent disaster relief in their straight news reporting on July 20. WHO, in conjunction with the District Health office, indicated that the emergency phase is over. Minister of Research and Technology Kusmayanto Kadiman admitted that tsunami warnings were received from Japan and Hawaii but without adequate time to pass on to local communities. Kadiman noted the need for more infrastructure and training to prevent future tragedies. End Summary. CASUALTIES AND FINANCIAL LOSSES -------------- ¶2. The National Disaster Management and Refugee Coordination Board (BAKORNAS BPP) confirmed that casualties from the July 17 earthquake and tsunami include 493 dead, 954 injured and 362 missing. BAKORNAS PBP additionally estimates that 74,000 people have been displaced from their homes but the majority will be returning home over the weekend. The death count decreased as BAKORNAS PBP crosschecked statistics among its coordinating teams in Central Java, West Java and Yogyakarta. Officials said more casualties are expected as rescue teams continue to search for survivors and dead bodies among the rubble of houses and buildings. The Indonesian government estimates damages (actual and lost tourism) at USD 20 million. AMERICAN CITIZENS -------------- ¶3. Embassy Consular and Regional Security staff returned to Jakarta on July 20 from the site of the tsunami. To date, there is still no indication of any Americans missing, injured, or deceased as a result of the tsunami. Post still has 8 open Welfare/Whereabouts cases, though most of those cases are for people believed to be in Bali or Lombok and not in the affected area. The USAID team member returned on July 21. EMERGENCY RESPONSE -------------- ¶4. At July 20 UN Donor Coordination Meeting, the World Health Organization (WHO),in conjunction with the District Health office, indicated that the emergency phase is over. Patient load has dropped and there is adequate medical staff to handle medical needs. UN staff reported that an office will be established for UN Agencies in Pangandaran. Coordination meetings will be held every day with NGOs, with UN Agencies taking the lead as follows: UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) for education, child protection and water/sanitation; International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) for shelter; World Food Program for food and nutrition; and World Health Organization for health. USAID provision of $50,000 to the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) through IFRC enabled PMI to immediately deploy volunteers, transport relief items, set up feeding kitchens and distribute nonfood items. PMI was one of the first organizations to deploy staff and assist vulnerable groups. LESSONS LEARNED -------------- ¶5. The tsunami hit less than three weeks after the Indian Ocean's regional network was declared active. Set up in JAKARTA 00009159 002.2 OF 002 response to the December 2004 tsunami, the network comprises 26 out of a possible 29 national centers, which receive information bulletins in real time from monitors in Japan and Hawaii. Warnings from Hawaii and Japan were issued via e-mail, fax and a dedicated telecommunication system after the July 17 earthquake was detected, but Indonesian officials could not relay the warnings in time to residents. ¶6. Science and Technology Minister Kusmayanto Kadiman admitted on July 20 that the nation received bulletins from the Hawaii center and Japan's Meteorological Agency right before the tsunami on July 17. At that time, the Indonesian Meteorological and Geophysical Agency (BMG) had sent short text messages via cell phone to 400 government officials and mass media but the giant waves moved within 20 minutes. Kadiman noted that Indonesia needs to install early warning detectors in every 10 kilometers in Indonesian waters, especially in West Sumatra and South Java. Germany has donated 10 early warning devices but only two of them were installed and those were quickly vandalized by fishermen. Government officials are blaming each other for the ineffective early warning system communication. Experts and officials agreed that additional infrastructure investment and training is needed for disaster early warning and community preparedness. Donor assistance in supporting such efforts will likely be required. PASCOE