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Indian Ocean Earthquake and Tsunamis
January 15, 2005Total USG Humanitarian and Recovery Assistance Pledged: $350,000,000
Total USAID/OFDA Humanitarian Assistance Committed: $65,049,189
Total USG Humanitarian Assistance Committed1: $95,730,495
Fact Sheet #20 (PDF - 260 kb)
Map of Relief Activities #20 (PDF - 212 kb)
CURRENT SITUATION
Indonesia Update
- On January 14, Government of Indonesia (GOI) health officials began a spraying campaign in Banda Aceh to
prevent a malaria outbreak in the tsunami disaster area. In response to the malaria threat, the USAID/DART
facilitated a U.S. military airlift of malaria prevention equipment and supplies from Jakarta to Banda Aceh on
January 13, and has scheduled an airlift of 20,000 mosquito nets to Indonesia for January 17. Further, USAID is
funding Malaria Emergency Technical and Operational Response (MENTOR) to implement a malaria and dengue
fever control program in Banda Aceh. In partnership with the GOI Ministry of Health, MENTOR will hire 200
staff to standardize drug treatment protocols according to U.N. World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines,
conduct residual spraying of homes, treat home water supplies for dengue vectors, and provide impregnated tarps
and medical supplies. The U.N. Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is providing insecticide treated bed nets and malaria
tablets to protect 3.2 million people living in malaria endemic areas of Sumatra.
- The USAID/Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) reports that substantial relief efforts are now underway in
Banda Aceh, and aid agencies are shifting focus to the city of Meulaboh. On January 13, an International
Organization for Migration (IOM) convoy of 54 trucks departed Medan for Meulaboh, carrying rice, biscuits, and
other relief supplies. IOM reported that the coastal road from Medan to Meulaboh is passable but takes
approximately 48 hours to transit. As of January 13, the largest vehicle confirmed to have completed the trip on
this road was an eight-ton truck.
- An assessment of airfield conditions in Meulaboh by the Singaporean Armed Forces revealed large areas of raised
ground and several severe cracks in the runway, rendering it unsuitable for C-130 aircraft. The runway used to be
580 meters long with a 200 meter over run; currently only 400 meters is usable. Indonesian Armed Forces and
police personnel have started repair work. Two improved helicopter landing craft sites are available but the U.N.
Joint Logistics Center (UNJLC) reports that Meulaboh airfield has no air traffic control and there is no visibility of
incoming helicopter flights until they arrive. UNJLC has dispatched a representative to Meulaboh to facilitate air
traffic control and aircraft issues.
Sri Lanka Update
- The USAID/DART reports that water and sanitation needs are being addressed in coordination with district
representatives of the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL). Drinking water needs are being met through water
tankers, until new service connections can be established, and temporary toilets are being used for sanitation needs.
Local water boards are reportedly distributing chlorine in all districts and are prioritizing the disinfection of handdug
wells. In addition, the USAID/DART is funding partners to construct latrines and address health education.
- According to the USAID/DART, the GOSL National Child Protection Agency (NCPA) and UNICEF conducted a
survey to determine the scale of the tsunami’s effect on children. The study indicated that 3,202 children lost 1
parent, 858 children were separated from their parents, and 38 children were unaccompanied. The NCPA is
currently attempting to register children and support family reunification, adoption, or foster home placements for
unaccompanied children.
- According to the U.N., preliminary figures indicate that nearly 18,500 fishing vessels in Sri Lanka have been
reported lost or damaged, and authorities estimate that potentially, more than 80 percent of the country’s fishing
fleet may be destroyed as a result of the tsunami. The loss of boats is expected to affect disproportionately the
livelihoods of already poor families in coastal communities who depend on the fishing industry. On January 14, the
U.N. Development Program (UNDP) announced that U.N. agencies will launch a program to repair or replace
boats, engines, and fishing equipment. According to the USAID/DART, the U.S. military is considering the use of
helicopters to move seaworthy boats stranded on land back to the water. USAID/OFDA is also providing $4.0
million to Nathan Associates for a livelihoods program that includes substantial support to the fishing industry.
Maldives Update
- According to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs’ (OCHA) January 14 Situation Report,
the overall situation in Maldives is serious but not critical, although logistical problems remain an issue. The
Government of Maldives reportedly does not have sufficient vessels to transport goods and has requested landing
crafts. According to OCHA, the U.N. World Food Program (WFP) has volunteered to be the focal point for U.N.
logistics operations in Maldives. WFP is undertaking a logistics assessment between January 13 and 15 to review
food distribution systems and warehouse capacity in the affected islands.
Somalia Update
- According to January 14 U.N. reports, an estimated 4,000 people displaced by the tsunami in northeastern Somalia
will need to rebuild their houses in a new location. Waves from the tsunami altered the geographical coastline and
destroyed the sand dunes that protected communities from high tide and flooding. Homes on the Hafun peninsula
were the hardest hit and residents will need to rebuild one km inland to avoid future flooding. UNICEF is currently
providing displaced residents with plastic sheeting, and the U.N. Human Settlements Program (UN-HABITAT)
plans to rehabilitate 1,000 houses and construct 1,500 houses.
USG ASSISTANCE
USAID Regional Response
- The USAID/DART and the U.S. military continue to conduct needs assessments and provide supplies and essential
logistic support for the relief efforts in affected countries.
- On January 14 and 15, three USAID/OFDA flights containing 1,000 rolls of plastic sheeting, 10,000 10-liter water
containers, and an emergency health kit arrived in Sri Lanka. The total value of the commodities, including
transport costs, is $390,612. The rolls of plastic sheeting will provide temporary shelter for 30,000 beneficiaries
and the water containers will serve 25,000 beneficiaries. The health kit with medical supplies will support 10,000
beneficiaries for a 3-month period.
Indonesia
- To date, the USG has provided more than $33.7 million to support emergency relief activities and the provision of
food, water, and relief supplies for affected populations in Indonesia.
Sri Lanka
- To date, the USG has provided nearly $43.2 million in emergency food assistance, shelter, water and sanitation,
livelihoods recovery, and psychosocial support in Sri Lanka.
India
- To date, USAID has provided more than $3.1 million in emergency relief assistance to India.
Department of Defense (DOD) Humanitarian Assistance
- As of January 15, more than 15,650 U.S. military personnel are involved in providing relief support in the affected
region. Of the 3,141 military personnel currently on the ground, 1,599 are in Thailand, 776 are in Sri Lanka, 470
are in Indonesia, 155 are in Malaysia, 8 in Bangladesh, and 133 in Singapore. With 25 ships and 99 aircraft, the
U.S. military has delivered a total of 3,671,217 lbs of relief supplies to the governments of Indonesia, Sri Lanka,
Thailand, and other affected nations, including 12,380 gallons of water; 373,716 lbs of food; and 104,310 lbs
of non-medical relief supplies in the last 24 hours.
U.S. State Department, Bureau of Populations, Refugees and Migration (State/PRM) Humanitarian Assistance
- To address evolving needs in Indonesia, State/PRM redirected $200,000 of funds already provided to IOM under
President Bush’s new counter-trafficking initiatives. State/PRM funds will support IOM’s projects in Aceh and
Medan provinces to reduce the vulnerability and incidences of trafficking. Activities will target 500,000 displaced
persons, particularly women and orphaned children, through multi-level mass information campaigns and will be
carried out in coordination with governments, U.N. agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
BACKGROUND
- A magnitude 9.0 earthquake on December 26, off the west coast of Northern Sumatra, Indonesia, triggered massive
tsunamis that affected several countries throughout South and Southeast Asia, as well as Somalia, Tanzania, and
Kenya in East Africa. Aftershocks from the December 26 earthquake continue to occur in the region.
- Based on initial findings of USG assessment teams and on the recommendation of Secretary of State Powell and
USAID Administrator Natsios, on December 31, President Bush committed $350 million toward earthquake and
tsunami relief and recovery efforts. Dollar amounts in this Fact Sheet are part of the total pledge of $350 million
and refer to specific funding actions that have been committed and programmed. USAID/OFDA welcomes
proposals from qualified humanitarian assistance organizations prepared to implement relief activities in response
to the Indian Ocean Earthquake and Tsunami disaster.
The Numbers At A Glance and Financial Assistance tables can be found in the PDF version of this fact sheet.
1 The value of assistance provided by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) is not included in total USG assistance committed.
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