AAI in Java Indonesia
Background
On Friday May 26 at 10.55pm, local Indonesian time, an earthquake measuring 6.2 on the Richter scale consumed an already battle scarred community from the eruption of Mt Merapi in April this year. With continued movement and a more powerful eruption imminent, some 20,000 people had been evacuated and as a result, accommodation in temporary camps in Yogyakarta are already at capacity. The need to set up similar camps to house the homeless/displaced people from the earthquake, alongside providing medical assistance, is the greatest challenge.
The earthquake struck just 25kms south west of Yogyakarta with a confirmed death toll of 5,186 as of 29th May. Most of those killed are from Bantul alone, the closest town to the epicenter. Figures for the seriously injured is double that again.
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SITUATION REPORTS
1 February 2008
Construction Report - January 2008
The construction team was rewarded this month for all the hard work, patience and dedication that staff members have displayed since the project began. The completion of the official handover ceremony marked the formal opening of the clinics and the transfer of responsibility for the Community Based Disaster Management (CBDM) teams. The project now belongs to the communities of Jambakan, Ngerangan and Beluk.
AAI is proud of all the work which has gone into making these clinics, and community feedback has reflected this pride by being consistently positive. One community member said the clinics looked so modern, "they look like a five-star hotel!" The high-standards which AAI has kept during every stage of the project, from the planning to the construction, have now paid off.
And they will continue to pay off. These safe, modern clinics will revitalise the healthcare system in the area, which had suffered a great deal of damage during the May 2006 earthquake. The buildings are designed to last, and the clinic staff have all been given full maintenance training in how to care for them.
The three clinics have many features unusual of buildings in the area, such as full disabled access, steel-reinforced walls and ultra-light roof tiles. The Beluk clinic, which will serve as the primary clinic for the area, has even had a water filtration system installed, to guarantee access to safe drinking water.
The construction team has worked incredibly hard to reach this point. AAI would like to thank everybody for their dedication and professionalism; the project could not have proceeded so smoothly, and finished on budget and ahead of schedule, without your hard work!
AAI cannot, and wouldn't want to, take all the credit for the success of this project. Without the help and support of the community, who were involved every step of the way, the project could never have been a success. Ultimately, the community will always know their own needs better than an outside agency, and it is only through cooperation with the community that these needs can fully be understood.
AAI is not leaving Klaten just yet, however. The clinics will now go through a period of evaluation, during which the community will look for any areas of improvement. If they identify any further work which needs to be done, AAI will be there.
The bulk of the work, however, is now complete. AAI and the community have much to celebrate, and I would like to personally thank the communities of Beluk, Jambakan and Ngerangan, and wish them the best of luck in the future!
- Joe Litobarski, Yogyakarta Site Manager
31 January 2008
Community Engagement Report - January 2008
January marked the end of AA's clinic reconstruction project in the villages of Bantul, Jambakan and Ngerangan, and the final month of the project has been devoted primarily to monitoring, evaluation and formal completion of the project. However, the completion and imminent handover of the clinics meant that clinic staff and members of each community could now be trained in maintenance and use of the new building facilities. The care of every component was covered, from fixtures to roofs and gutters. Particular attention was paid to maintenance of water and sanitation facilities, including the SkyHydrant installed at the largest of the clinics.
This training took place at the Beluk clinic in early January and was very well attended-all three village leaders were present. In addition, representatives from each community based disaster management team, newly-formed at a series of trainings in December, were present.
This event also marked the community engagement team's last training, bringing the number of training workshops conducted since September to 21. These sessions comprised 87 hours of training and reached a total of 536 participants.
A key event in this month was the final project evaluation meeting, held on 12 January. This was the second of two such meetings, held to empower the community to develop its o wn vision of project success. The first had allowed community leaders to decide on the outcomes they desired from the project, and this concluding meeting now asked it to discuss the extent to which these outcomes had been achieved. This event, attended by 16 leaders in total, was invaluable in giving AAI an overall impression of community satisfaction with the project. The meeting also benefited greatly from the presence of representatives from each CBDM teams, allowing AAI to follow up on the progress of each team and to provide encouragement and guidance to its members.
Overall, community feedback has been very good. Communities feel especially pleased with the quality of the clinics (this received a rating of 94%), the extent to which they had been consulted during the project (84%), and the earthquake-preparedness training they had received (75%).
The official project handover ceremony took place on 21 January at the Beluk clinic and was attended by community leaders, CBDM members, contractors, and staff from the clinics, from AAI and from project funders. The guest of honour was the Deputy Head of Klaten District, who officially opened the buildings. Aside from being a well-earned celebration for all who had worked diligently to complete the project, the event allowed the communities to formally take ownership of their new buildings and instilled a sense of pride in their part in the project as a whole. Each CBDM, for example, was presented with a picture of the team in order to act as an inspiration for future DRR activities.
Finally, the community engagement team has spent a large part of January evaluating the project and preparing the final project report, which has been presented to funders. This has entailed reviewing large amounts of information and project feedback and reflecting on lessons learnt.
Throughout the project, the team has been inspired and impressed by the enthusiasm shown by community members determined to protect their villages and families from future disasters. AAI would like to thank each and every one of these members, and wish them good luck on the road to successful community-based disaster management.
"Thank you for your concern towards the community in Klaten. Without you we would never how to prepare ourselves for any natural disasters in a practical way"
"What AAI has done in our village is incredible. Thank you"
- participant evaluations
9 January 2008
Photos from Solo
A father mourns at the scene of a landslide in Karanganyar. Over 60 people have been killed by landslides since the flooding began.
AAI assesses flood damage in a community in Solo. The poorest areas are also the most vulnerable, because houses there often use cheap construction materials.
A children's camp in a flooded area. Families in temporary shelters have had their homes and possessions damaged by the flooding, and some have lost everything.
Damp line on the wall shows the extent of the flooding (approx. 2 meters). Residents were forced to wait on rooftops for the floodwater to recede.
Car crushed by a landslide. Rocks and debris carried in landslides are powerful enough to destroy vehicles and houses, and to seriously injure or kill people.
Emergency workers tend to the injured. Over 100 people have lost their lives and hundreds more have been injured so far. There is still a high risk of further flooding.
The floodwater conceals hidden hazards, such as broken glass, sharp metal and other debris. There is also a high risk of infection if any cuts are exposed to the water.
1 January 2008
Solo Flood Damage Assessment Report
INTRODUCTION
More than 100 people have been killed and hundreds of thousands have been affected in East and Central Java by the flooding and landslides, which began on Dec 25 2007 . Tens of thousands are now living in temporary accommodation, and although there are currently sufficient supplies of fresh water, food and medicine in the areas assessment by AAI, there will most likely be a need for emergency relief supplies that will continue throughout January and February and then lead into a longer term reconstruction and recovery program.
On Jan 1, AAI's Site Manager in Yogyakarta , Joe Litobarski, and AAI's Community Engagement Coordinator, Daniel Pongsama, conducted a rapid assessment in the Solo District of Central Java Province to assess the damage from the flooding, and to evaluate possible humanitarian needs and issues. AAI were joined by, staff from the Indonesian NGO Cindelaras. Together, the team traveled to Karanganyar Sub-District , the area which has suffered the majority of the casualties (over 60 dead). AAI also visited the area surrounding the Bengawan Solo river.
There has been a series of three floods in Solo; after the initial flood (approx. 1.5 meters of floodwater), residents returned to their homes quickly to assess damage and prevent looting. There was then a second flood (approx. 2 meters, and 3 meters in places), which has been the worst so far. Residents were forced to shelter on rooftops until the floodwater receded. A third flood followed, and now many residents are unsure whether or not they should return to their homes, because they fear future floods.
Near Karanganyar, AAI met with a director of the Public Institutions Monitoring & Empowerment Consortium (KOMPIP), a local Indonesian NGO. There the AAI team received a short presentation on the floods and shared pictures and data of the flooding. The team then visited the worst affected areas.
Of further note there is currently a storm off the coast of Australia which is affecting the weather in Indonesia , and the BGM is predicting more rain next week. There was very heavy rain in Solo last night.
PERCEIVED RELIEF NEEDS
It has been unclear whether the local government has asked the provincial and central governments for assistance. There was also information that the local government is currently in discussions with the head of the Solo military to plan for the evacuation of approx. 30'000 people from high-risk flood areas (although this has not yet been formally announced). Concerns were raised to the AAI team about any possible evacuation, which would increase the strain on resources.
From discussion with local groups and the results of the rapid assessment AAI have ranked in order of priority the needs for Solo.
Firstly: clean drinking water. Water purification tablets have been distributed by the humanitarian community in sufficient numbers, however because of the importance of clean drinking water, this will be an ongoing need.
Secondly: Repair and provision of temporary latrines either within the affected villages or within any IDP settlements. This will be an important component in alleviating serious public health risks due to the disposal of human excreta.
Thirdly: hygiene supplies. Soap, detergent, mosquito repellent, sanitary towels, toothbrushes, diapers, dishwashing liquid, etc. with an associated hygiene promotion campaign targeting poor behaviours that are prevalent during this emergency period.
Further perceived needs included medical supplies, mosquito nets and food logistics (Food supply is sufficient at the moment, but there is likely to be a long term need and there is no clear idea where that provision will come from. Over 270'000 acres of agricultural land has been flooded, ruining crops and washing off layers of fertilizer. Rural farming communities may be especially at risk).
AAI is currently co-coordinating with local NGOs to ascertain exact beneficiary numbers of the above needed, and data is still being gathered on the ground.
Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) ASSESSMENT
From discussions with local organisations and with flood survivors, it has become apparent that residents have had no training in how to behave during or after a flood, and are receiving most of their information about what is happening and what they should do through word of mouth within and between communities (there is very little access to radio or television media).
CLEAR-UP OPERATION
The flood has displaced a large amount of mud and debris, containing hazardous material (broken glass, sharp metal, waste, etc), across roads and into people's houses. At the time of AAI's assessment, the majority of this had been cleared from roads by the community, who received no training in how to handle hazardous materials, nor any safety equipment. When AAI visited, street collectors were sifting through the piles of rubbish on either side of the roads, looking for coloured plastic or other items of value which they might be able to sell.
PROVISION OF TEMPORARY SHELTER
AAI visited some temporary accommodation provided by the Klaten District Government, including a children's shelter. The accommodation is comprised of "roof first" bamboo shelters. The people there told the AAI team they had enough access to drinking water, but needed baby-food, diapers, etc, to look after the children.
The shelter is of a very temporary nature, and conditions are crowded. Families have so far been living in the shelters for ten days, but if there is repeated flooding then there may be a need for more durable temporary shelter.
DAMAGE TO HOUSES
The majority of houses in flooded areas have suffered only moderate visible structural damage, but possessions within the houses have often been swept away or destroyed. The worst damage from flooding has occurred in the poorest areas, where houses are often constructed from cheap materials such as corrugated iron or wood paneling.
The worst cases of damage overall have been in connection with the landslides (also responsible for the majority of the fatalities). 64 people died in the landslide in Karanganyar, which means this incident accounts for over half of the fatalities so far.
INFRASTRUCTURE DAMAGE
Long term infrastructure damaged has yet to be fully assessed (especially considering that the rainy season is not yet over). Schools and clinics have been flooded, and desks, chairs, office supplies, etc, have been destroyed. Most roads in Solo, which were previously blocked by flooding and debris, have now been cleared. Power and water systems have been totally disrupted in the worst affected areas, but the network remains operational overall.
FURTHER FLOOD RISK
Local groups believe there is a high risk of further floods and landslides at least until the end of the rainy season (Feb/March 2008). This is supported by predictions from the Indonesian Meteorology and Geophysics Agency (BMG), who have stated that they believe the heavy rainfall will continue into February 1. BMG has stated that they believe the rainy season has not yet peaked, and that January and February will see the heaviest rainfalls in Indonesia in 30 years. 2. Indonesia 's State Minister for the Environment, Rachmat Witoelar, has stated that the government predicts "worse disasters in the next two months". 3. There have also been concerns, in the last few days, that the Gajah Mungkur dam may collapse if the rains don't stop, putting several towns at risk. 4.
Before the AAI team left Solo, heavy rainfall had begun again and the Bengawan Solo river threatened to burst its banks. Further disasters and relief needs should therefore be expected throughout January and February, potentially worse than the current series of flooding.
Report Prepared by;
Joe Litobarski
AAI ( Yogyakarta Site Manager)
1. http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/YSAR-7AHML2?OpenDocument
2. http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/EMAE-7AHNHW?OpenDocument
3. http://www.thejakartapost.com/detailheadlines.asp?fileid=20080104.A05&irec=4
4. http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/EMAE-7AHNHW?OpenDocument
22 December 2007
December Construction Report
Today, the AAI staff will break for their Christmas holidays - but work will continue on the clinics. Construction supervisor, Niko Herlambang, now feels confident that the clinics will be completed by Christmas day. Despite being well ahead of schedule, quality is still a priority now the work is focusing on the finishing touches. Painting of the top coats began a few days ago, and extra care is being taken to ensure a smooth finish.
Top-coats being carefully applied to the outside walls of a clinic.
At all three sites, most of the electrics have been fitted, and the ceiling fans are in place and working; ready to provide a much needed breeze to counter the humid weather of the Indonesian rainy season. Work is underway outside the clinics, laying floor tiles and planting decorative foliage. Doors and window panes have been fitted into their frames, and the three roofs have been completed.
Inside the clinics, ceramic wall and floor tiles have all be laid.
All that remains to be done inside the clinics is to finish painting the interior walls, connect the sinks and toilets, sweep away the dust from construction, and start moving in the furniture. Painting the two top-coats is considered a very important part of the process by AAI. The paint will help protect the walls, and has to come straight from the tin, without dilution, or any future building maintenance will be made more difficult. The communities will all be given full building maintenance training to help them care for the buildings and ensure they don't suffer unnecessary wear and tear.
View inside a clinic bathroom, complete with traditional Indonesian mandi washbasin
Sinks and washbasins are now in place, waiting to be connected to the water supply.
Soon, the clinic project will be complete. The local communities will then evaluate the work, and there will be a period during which they will try out the buildings and look for anything which could be improved. A formal opening ceremony is being planned for January, when the clinics will be officially handed over. It will be the culmination of several months of hard work, and will be a real celebration for everyone involved. With the possibility the clinics might be completed on December 25th, AAI has every reason to feel in a festive mood this Christmas.
Construction will hopefully be completed by the end of the month.
Joe Litobarski (Yogjakarta Site Manager)
21 December 2007
Community Engagement Report
The past month has seen the culmination of the AAI's community engagement work in the Klaten district of Yogyakarta, and the year draws to a close with the vast majority of AAI's training completed. Both the construction and disaster risk reduction programmes have been concluded, and only a training session on maintenance of AAI's clinics remains.
Initial trainings in basic disaster awareness were completed in November, and each of the three villages with which AAI works has now received at least four such trainings. These introduced members of the community to the project, trained participants in earthquake preparedness and response, and stressed the importance of community-wide communication and cooperation in planning for and responding to disasters. Women's groups, farmers' groups, youth groups, micro-loan cooperatives and social organisations were some of the interest groups AAI was able to meet with in this phase.
In December, the trainings became more advanced as the most active and enthusiastic participants thus far were invited to this month's Community-Based Disaster Management (CBDM) teambuilding sessions. These full day trainings aimed at facilitating the establishment of a CBDM team in each village, to drive all future disaster preparedness, response and recovery efforts in the community. Each team comprises 20 to 30 members, divided into various subcommittees whose functions range from trauma counseling to liaising with the media to planning for evacuation. Each member took a pledge, written by the community itself, to uphold and contribute to the work of the group.
Participants from Jambakan village creating an evacuation plan.
The advanced trainings, held on the 9th, 15th and 16th of December, also equipped participants with information on the causes and warning signs of a wider range of disasters. The training team shared the necessary precautions which could be taken when facing tornadoes, landslides, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
Creating a CBDM group in Beluk village.
An important goal of these sessions was to introduce the new CBDM to hazard mapping, in order to allow the community to become aware of assets and potential risks in its area. Hazard mapping is the first step towards planning for evacuation and other contingencies, and participants showed great enthusiasm and ingenuity in transforming the blank maps provided by AAI.
A participant adding to the hazard map of Ngerangan village.
The training also benefited greatly from the presence of Paling Merah Indonesia (PMI), the Indonesian Red Cross, who provided first aid training that was interactive and focused on situations likely to occur during natural disasters. AAI was able to provide each village with a first aid kit, and each participant with a certificate and community-based disaster management manual. The latter, developed by local organization Yayasan in collaboration with UNESCO, USAID and the Indonesian government for use throughout the country, has been a particularly useful resource for AAI's training team as well.
One additional event that deserves mention is an evaluation meeting held at the commencement of the project in Beluk village. The first of two such planned meetings, it brought together community leaders from all three villages, as well as prospective staff of the clinics being built by AAI. The aim of the event was to enable the community to set its own criteria for final evaluation of the project and thereby give it a sense of ownership over the end product. Participants named better earthquake preparedness and general disaster preparedness as the two most important project outcomes respectively, with knowledge of safe construction techniques a third priority. It was interesting, thus, to see how highly training featured on leaders' lists of priorities.
A second such meeting will be conducted in mid-January, and will give community leaders the chance to evaluate to what extent AAI delivered on the criteria decided upon. Leaders will also have a chance to provide detailed evaluations, through site visits, of the quality of the completed clinics. This will help AAI in its monitoring and evaluation process, and be reflected in the final report. This, along with a training session on building maintenance and a handover ceremony to formally present the finished buildings to the community, will be the main tasks of the community engagement team until the conclusion of the project in late January.
Jambakan's CBDM Team
By Elsje Fourie, Community Engagement Manager
30 November 2007
November construction report
Exterior view of the Ngerangan clinic. The roof consists of light weight metal sheeting, which reduces the likelihood of injury in the event of an earthquake
As November draws to a close, construction of AAI's three health clinics is proceeding smoothly. Work is on schedule, within budget, and has passed the important 50 percent milestone. The walls have been completed and the trussed steel roof is anchored in place at all three clinics. Final work on the roof takes place next week, with the guttering being installed and the roof sheeting being fixed into place.
One of the main dangers during an earthquake is from falling roof tiles. They are easily shaken loose and can seriously injure, or even kill, anyone they hit. The roof sheeting used in the construction of the three clinics, however, is less likely to come loose and is much lighter than traditional tiles.
The roof is supported inside by a steel truss system, which is anchored deep into the walls. This technique makes the roof far less likely to separate from the main structure in the event of an earthquake and makes it more resistant to uplift from tornadoes.
Inside the clinics, a steel trussed roof is anchored into the reinforced concrete walls.
The two smaller clinics are now being painted outside. Two undercoats have been applied so far, and two further coats will be painted in a color scheme chosen by the community. One of the undercoats contains anti-mold, which will protect the paint and walls from the humid Indonesian climate. Inside the clinics, ceramic tiles are being fixed to the floor and walls.
Ceramic tiles being attached inside a clinic. Everything has been designed in consultation with the community, including the color schemes used.
When the clinics are opened in January, they will be among the most structurally sound buildings in the whole of Yogyjakarta province. They have large foundations, supporting hollow-block, concrete filled walls that are reinforced with steel rods linking the footings to the roof for structurally engineered earthquake resistant building.
Throughout construction, the local community has been involved and trained in the earthquake resistant techniques being used, and as many local laborers as possible have been employed in the construction. AAI's philosophy is that the capacity of local communities themselves to construct earthquake resistant buildings should be developed. Some of the techniques used in the construction of the health clinics can be applied on a smaller scale to people's houses without being prohibitively expensive, which has been one of the emphasizes of the community.
The importance and correct use of safety equipment is demonstrated to local laborers.
AAI is working to engage the community in the whole process. On the 27 th November, AAI held a meeting with all the local lura (community leaders), AAI's construction contractors and local health workers who will be using the new clinics. The meeting was an opportunity for the community to raise further questions or concerns they may have with the program, and to foster a good relationship between AAI and the community. These meetings will continue to be held regularly over the next two months.
A strong relationship with the community is considered vital, and AAI works to involve them in every stage of the program.
As construction passes the half-way mark, the construction sites now resemble the clinics they will soon become. With the walls and the roof up, and work progressing fast on the interiors of the clinics, AAI moves forward into December in high spirits.
Only the guttering and the last few tiles have to be added before the clinic's roof is complete.
Joe Litobarski
Yogjakarta Site Manager
18 November 2007
Yogyakarta Clinic Upgrade Project: October/November Community Engagement Report
Construction training participants were encouraged to identify and record
structural risks near their homes.
The past month has seen AAI's Community Engagement Team resume its training programme after the Idul Fitri holiday period. The first half of the six-month project, which aims to use AAI's construction of clinics in three villages near Yogyakarta as an opportunity to train the stakeholder community in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and earthquake-resistant construction techniques, has proved highly successful.
The approach throughout has been participatory. Community Engagement Coordinator Daniel Pongsamma has been the key bridge between AAI and the local communities, making use of cooperation with local leaders to ascertain the needs of each village and the best method for addressing these needs. This, it was decided, would be to conduct initial sessions with each of the several interest groups, or kelompoks , in each village. In September and early October, AAI was thus able to hold DRR trainings with the women's and youth kelompoks of each village. It also conducted three construction trainings for labourers involved in the building of each clinic.
AAI training and construction staff in front
of the clinic being built in Beluk village
Recent activities have continued to build on these dual strands of training:
Construction
Construction training has been extended to the entire community, with two-day workshops conducted for residents of each village who are involved or interested in construction. Training Facilitator Edhi Dwi Hartanto presented material in an easy-to-understand, step-by-step format which included team activities and simulations. Topics covered included techniques for building earthquake-resistant buildings, the correct use of safety equipment and the management of risks on construction sites. A visit to the local clinic construction site provided an excellent opportunity to see the practical applications of the theory covered, and a price comparison illustrated to participants that disaster-resistant buildings need not be prohibitively expensive.
These trainings have been very well received; 100% of participants questioned felt that the training had delivered the information they required, and 94% expressed a desire to share the knowledge gained with others in their community. Participants have particularly enjoyed seeing, first-hand, how the clinics are being constructed and how to adopt these techniques to future construction in the village.
Participants from Beluk putting earthquake-resistant construction
theory into practice
Disaster Risk Reduction
The Community Engagement Team is currently running training with the remaining kolompoks in order to introduce members of the community to the project, equip participants with basic DRR awareness and identify potential participants for more advanced training sessions in December. The coming weeks will see training for micro-loan collectives, social organisations, community councils and farmers' groups.
Each session thus far has been highly successful. Training Design and Development Coordinator Ellena Ashanty has designed a programme that combines guidance on specific steps to take during, before and after a disaster with teambuilding exercises to underline the importance of community-wide communication and cooperation in coping with a disaster. During the most recent such training in Ngerangan village on 14 November, participants were eager to learn how they could continue learning about and implementing DRR steps after the conclusion of the project in January. This critical engagement with AAI on the subject of project sustainability illustrates that the communities are willing to continue the work begun by this project and take very seriously the risks facing them.
The more advanced trainings next month will help them to do just this by facilitating the creation of permanent DRR committees in each village. With the help of the training team, the committee will begin the tasks of risk mapping and creating plans for evacuation and other contingencies. Laying the groundwork for this key outcome is thus AAI's primary task during the busy month of November.
Participants from Jambakan visiting the site of their prospective clinic in
order to observe construction methods
- Elsje Fourie (Community Engagement Manager)-
25 October 2007
Health Facility Reconstruction and Disaster Risk Reduction Project Oct 07
October marks a few milestones in the AAI Indonesia Program both project and personnel wise not to mention the Muslim community of Indonesia who conclude their one month long fasting tradition known as Ramadan celebrating with numerous parties and a two week long holiday. AAI winds down its training schedule to respect the holiday tradition which also marks the departure of Corie Waddell as the Community Engagement Manager and the arrival of Elsja Fourie to take the training team through until the end of the project.
Michael Gloeckle, Construction Manager, also returned to Australia after a three month contract with AAI. For many, a sad occasion as Michael's contribution was not limited to technical expertise in methods of construction but in addition, he provided the required support that empowered the local team with the skills required to run a complete program and an understanding of the importance of organisation and communications.
There have also been additions to the AAI local team which include Shanty, the Training & Development Coordinator, Wuluh, a Javanese expert and Edi Dwi Hartanto, a Construction Training Facilitator. Each contributing expertise to boost the training teams ability to deliver quality training.
Disaster Preparedness & Prevention Training Team, from left: Wuluh, our Ngerangan Community Host, Edhi, Shanty, Corie & Daniel
After months of engaging with the community to find ways to best deliver the information AAI wanted to share, the community and the AAI team came up with an action plan and schedule for the implementing the training sessions which was well received by each of the communities benefiting from the opportunity. Limited resources and large number of beneficiaries provided challengers to effectively reach the entire community, therefore the focus of the training was to deliver information to a select group of community members that were enthusiastic and pro-active who in turn would continue delivering their new found knowledge to the rest of the community. Any development project implemented today has the additional component for measuring success through sustainability. The expectation is that development projects of this nature can always evolve but never truly cease and therefore it became AAI's objective to provide both knowledge and incentive to see this knowledge sharing exercise extend well beyond our initial 6 month contract.
It was decided that in order to attract the right kind of people that we felt could engage the level of enthusiasm needed while still ensuring that the community themselves remained in control of the direction the training would take. AAI would offer shorter, less detailed training workshops introducing the community to the project, its key stakeholders, the objectives and desired outcomes. AAI would conduct each session based on the individual community groups within each Village addressing and respecting the complex hierarchy established within the communities. These sessions work more like information sessions that AAI then use to evaluate both content and level of participation in order to structure the more detailed training workshops with the community selected Disaster Risk Reduction team scheduled for December.
The training workshops to date have been a huge success with the approach that is both theoretical and practical to ensure AAI sustain the level of interest throughout the sessions. Each session also has a level of flexibility to adapt to the audience be that through the kind of interactive games played to the structure of the session and timing within the day. As all sessions to date have been conducted during the Ramadan period, therefore the schedule was limited and many of the sessions coincided with the breaking of the fast from about 4pm onwards and on weekends. With the exception of only two sessions to date, the women's group from Jambakan and Beluk villages were held in the morning. The evening sessions became a blessing in disguise as the weather has been changing to become a more humid. Combined with the fasting, attention and energy levels were challenged. Seven more similar sessions for the social organisations and the farmers of each of the villages will round up the informal sessions whereby the final training workshops can also be finalised ensuring that it captures the needs of the community as a priority and the information shared is relevant and embraced by the community volunteers.
Impromptu Session with the kids from Jambakan prior to the Women's Group Training
Teenager's Group at Jambakan village at the start of one of the AAI activities
Daniel presenting to the Teenager's Group at Beluk village
The women's group of Ngerangan village
Evaluations conducted from each workshop revealed that most if not all of the participants want to attend the main workshops in December. While the attention from the community highlights the success of the community engagement process to date, it poses the next challenge of selecting the 30 people to represent each village. It is likely that that decision will remain with the village head and other community leaders however, it is expected AAI will submit a recommendation list based on observations made during the informal sessions of those participants who engaged so effectively during those informal sessions.
Construction training for the labourers constructing the three health facilities in each of the villages along with Community and local worker training for interested parties also falls under the training umbrella of Disaster Risk Reduction Project. This particular training uses a practical approach as each member of the AAI team contributes a level of expertise towards its success. AAI Construction Engineer, Nikko has designed most of the content while the Community Engagement Team of Daniel and Shanty together formulated the schedule and delivery of each of the sessions. The Construction Introduction Training has now been completed as construction has begun on all the three Health Facilities and it was important to address some of the key components of construction prior to commencement. This included, but was not limited to, a renewed emphasis on Occupational Health & Safety and the distribution of safety equipment to all of the construction workers.
Construction Training for the laborers working on the Health Facilities in all three Villages.
Sample of safety equipment that AAI provided each of the laborers working on the Health Facility sites
The start of October sees the completion of approximately 25% of the training program and 15% of Health Facility Construction and while almost half way through the contract, much of the time has been spent on community engagement and the development of the project. November will see the momentum shift again as it becomes the busiest month of the training calendar for both Disaster Preparedness and Construction training. December will be the main workshops and January will see training for the Health Facilities staff aligned with the completion of the Health Facilities and evaluation of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Community Construction project as a whole.
The evaluation of the first phase plays a significant role in the development of the project and learning to date provide the catalyst for the direction the training project will take in the next few months. While the team may change slightly, the momentum is strong despite the impending holiday season. November is set to be a busy month.
Construction of the Health Facility footings systems
17 October 2007
AAI disaster assessment response team (DART) alerted to imminent disaster on island of java
DART now preparing to respond to disaster
One of Indonesia's most deadly volcanoes, Mount Kelud, located on the island of Java, is likely to erupt. The Government of Indonesia (GoI) has ordered the evacuation of over 30,000 local inhabitants from over 100 nearby villages. Mount Kelud is only 90 km from Indonesia's second largest city, Surabaya with a population of approximately 3 million people.
Mount Kelud has been threatening for weeks to erupt, but with over 300 small earthquakes measured in recent days, scientists now believe an eruption is imminent. The head of Indonesia's Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation said on Saturday that, ""Kelud is now on the point of no return."
This volcano, with a height of nearly 2,000 meters, is best known for its eruption at the beginning of the twentieth century, when over 5,000 people were killed. It has however also erupted in 1951, 1966 and 1990 when 30 people were killed from resulting mudslides. The last time the GoI issued the highest alert level for a volcano was in 2006 when AAI responded to the threat of an eruption from Mount Merapi, also located on the Island of Java.
AAI disaster and emergency response teams are currently on stand-by to respond to any emerging disaster. AAI's Director of Operations Frank Tyler, was quoted yesterday during an interview as saying, "this new disaster has the potential of again devastating this peaceful community who is still recovering from the terrible tsunami and earthquake disasters of mid 2006."
12 Sepetember 2007
Earthquake hits Bengkulu, Sumatra, Indonesia
AAI has had permanent operations in Indonesia since May 2006. Since then AAI has provided emergency and rehabilitative assistance via various programs including emergency disaster response, construction and community health development.
Topography
The Island of Sumatra is located in close proximity to the Sundra Fault Line, which has been responsible for numerous earthquakes including one that measured 6.3 and resulted in the deaths of 70 people in Padang in March of this year.
In late 2004 and early 2005, Indonesia suffered from the devastating earthquakes and subsequent tsunamis that again originated along the same fault lines off the coast of Sumatra. More than 220,000 human deaths were attributed to this event.
Current Situation
At approximately 6.10pm (local time) an earthquake measuring 8.4 on the Richter scale affected the Indonesian Island of Sumatra. The earthquake's epicenter was 100 kilometers off the coast. There have been 18 recorded aftershocks, measuring between 4.9 and 6.6 since last night.
After the first earthquake, the Indonesian Government issued four separate tsunami alerts that were all subsequently cancelled. India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore and Australia also issued tsunami warnings in the wake of the first earthquake, which was felt in Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia. Electricity and telephone services have been disrupted in the areas of Bengkulu, Padang and the Menawai Islands.
Bengkulu, which is the city located closest to the quake's epicenter, sits on the western coast of Sumatra and has a population of 300,000 people. At least seven people have been reported killed in the areas of Bengkulu and Padang. The Ministry of Health in Jakarta has reported that many Government buildings in Bengkulu, including the hospital have been destroyed. Padang has also been affected by the recent disaster, with many buildings reported to have collapsed, including the city's main hospital, with scores of others damaged. More casualties are expected to be located in the coming days as collapsed buildings are searched and rubble removed.
The Mentawai Islands are a chain of about 70 islands located 150km of the western coast of Sumatra. While communication with the islands has been difficult, it is believed that there has been major damage caused to much of the road system and many of the houses, although no casualties have been reported.
The Indonesian Government is currently preparing both military and Ministry of Health response teams to respond to the disaster. Several Ministers are due to arrive in the area in the next day with medical supplies, blankets, tents and baby formula. Meanwhile, the UN OCHA is liaising with the Indonesian Ministry of Health to determine what, if any support is required. The Indonesian Government has not yet made any public calls for assistance.
AAIs Indonesian Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) is standing by in Jogjakarta with medical personnel and supplies. The immediate concern of the DART is displaced persons who are either too afraid to return to their homes or who cannot return because of destruction. Many rural villages along the western coast of Sumatra have modest infrastructure that contains no redundancy or back up if destroyed. Detailed assessments of remote area community's water and sanitation, shelter and community health programs will need to be conducted once the initial emergency phase has been completed.
Prepared by:
Dominic Bowen
Information and Security Manager
3 September 2007
Disaster preparedness training as an extension of AAI's community engagement program.
1st September marks an increase in the momentum on AAI's Community Disaster Preparedness & Prevention Training from developing firm relationships with key leaders within the same three communities that are aligned with the current re-construction of clinics project. The objective being to actively and formally engage with these communities and source the feedback we seek on existing knowledge regarding disaster preparedness and/or prevention and how to develop the relevant training module based on the gaps that this initial interaction may highlight. The communities, Beluk, Jambakan and Ngerangan, in the sub-district of Bayat and district of Klaten in Central Java, are enthusiastic about AAI's presence thus ensuring what we expect to be an attentive audience however, this will only remain so with a training module that is customised in a fashion that will not only appeal to the individual communities but is ultimately driven by the communities themselves.
Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are understood to be the most prevalent of the disasters existing in this area of Java however, it is also expected that the community may highlight other disasters or additional impacts of those mentioned that could be considered secondary to the visual impacts clearly evident, yet equally as important, to the communities ability to recover from such events. It is this feedback and these impacts that will dictate the mood of the training. AAI needs to be sympathetic to the nature of this training and that many if not all have been negatively affected by any one of these disasters in some form or another. We cannot begin to understand or underestimate the emotional component associated with Disaster Preparedness hence why it is imperative to ensure that it is the community that will benefit from this training. This will also broaden AAI's own understanding of the needs of those we endeavour to assist.
AAI's presence in Yogyakarta came about after an earthquake measuring 6.2 on the richter scale hit southern Yogyarkata , Indonesia on May 26th 2006 . While not considered significant in a global context, the destruction was widespread and the population affected was significant. Some eighteen months later and the successful completion of projects in the south of the region, AAI have relocated attention further north to the district of Klaten. The total number of people benefiting from the AAI program is estimated to be 14,200. Hence, we hope to develop a training module to incorporate a 'train the trainer' approach whereby AAI facilitators train a community selected group of participants with the potential to go on and be facilitators themselves and share their new skills with the rest of their community.
One of the main challenges of the Disaster Preparedness Project is grasping the complex breakdown of the communities themselves. And even now, we cannot be sure exactly how each one works. It is understood though that each community, or Desa, has a leader, otherwise known as a Lurah. Hence we have three Lurah's in total representing the three communities that we will be conducting the training. Within each Desa, we can have anywhere up to 18 separate Dusuns (sub-communities) and within that again there can be another 7 Rukun Tangga (RT) which are responsible for the individual groups within the Dusuns. For example, there can be RT's representing the women & children, another for teenagers and another responsible for the religious or cultural belief systems within a community.
There are two distinct parts to this program. The first is to collate the necessary information from the communities that will help us develop training modules that best serve the needs of each community. We acknowledge that the needs may vary slightly within each community however, the module chosen will have the flexibility to adapt to those needs while still delivering a consistent approach across all three communities. It is this stage that will perhaps be the most important part of the process simply because the work done now on the training module could then be used to address any new needs that may arise from the engagement process and worth considering for future programs. It is already intended that the Health Care Staff working in AAI's newly constructed clinics will also be trained in Disaster Preparedness and will assume leadership roles in providing the required information to the communities they serve.
This Saturday will see us attend the first of three regular community meetings, conducted by the leaders and formally introduce AAI, outlining the project and what we need from the community in order for it to be successful. For many attending this meeting, this information will not be new. AAI staff member Daniel, the Training and Community Engagement Supervisor has already spoken to many of them informally and as leaders and/or influential members within the community, we anticipate that this part of the process will be relatively short. We have put together a questionnaire that we will leave with the community members attending this meeting. This questionnaire details our expectations of the project, our scope and most importantly, what information we need from them in order to customise the training to suit their needs. While waiting for the feedback, we will make ourselves available for questions and provide clarity where and as required.
Once we have collected all the information required by each of the communities the second phase of the project will begin and that involves the development of a relevant training module taking all the feedback into account. This will be quite an intense time as we attempt to blend the ideas from the communities with the parameters of our project and may require regular communication with the communities to sort out some of the finer details.
Initially, our program was designed to provide training in each community to members in the immediate vicinity of the main Desa and use a flow on effect. However, on reflection, the most important component to running this kind of training program is to have participants who actually want to be there and as a result we have decided for each community to designate the people they would like to participate in the training on the basis that they will then disseminate this new found knowledge to their communities. We felt it was important to select representatives from the most 'active' or influential Dusuns who already possess the required energy it will take to continue this program long after AAI is no longer involved.
This change in direction was driven by a re-evaluation of the capacity for AAI to facilitate effective training workshops within our limited timeframe to complete the project. Currently, we have only one training facilitator, that being Daniel however, as of Monday 3 rd September, we welcome a second member to the Community Engagement team, Ellena Ashanty It is important to not overestimate our ability to deliver quality training so by capping the number of participants based on the ratio of facilitators we can then allow the community to decide who will attend. We much prefer to deliver quality training to a select few than poor quality training to the masses. However, we also understand that flexibility is and will be the key to success.
AAI's Disaster Preparedness Training has been identified and designed in partnership with RHK Project Management and developed through the Australia and Indonesia Partnership which is funded by AusAID, the Australian government aid agency. It is partnerships like this that makes these programs possible.
Corie Waddell - Community Engagement and Training Coordinator
31 July 2007
AUSTRALIAN AID INTERNATIONAL'S PROGRESS ON REHABILITATION PROJECTS IN JAVA.
July saw AAI undertake our community consultation and building design phase for the reconstruction of three healthcare facilities in the Klaten District of the Central Java Province . The Clinic Upgrade Project is anticipated to continue for the remainder of 2007 at a total cost of AUD $250,000. During this phase AAI has conducted rigorous planning with government departments, the District Health Office, and importantly, the local community.
Using a community engagement model, AAI have performed district assessments, held community information sessions, and together with leaders of local groups and residents developed a collective action plan.
One year after the devastating Java Earthquake, many healthcare facilities still remain destroyed or structurally damaged to the extent that they are too dangerous to use. The Government and community have been unable to raise the necessary funds to reconstruct the buildings and are grateful for the contribution of the Australian-Indonesian Partnership for funding and supporting the project.
Along with reconstruction activities, AAI will assist the community in developing one of their key identified needs, disaster preparedness. Training workshops in community disaster preparedness will be held, while the construction of the clinics with local labour, using earthquake resistant techniques previously not used, will provide better knowledge and experience. The local community suffered the brunt of the earthquake, with 70% of homes severely damaged in some areas. These new skills can then be transferred to the construction of all new buildings.
New healthcare facilities will include upgraded water and sanitation facilities, furniture, basic equipment, and infectious waste incinerators. The assistance also includes, building maintenance training for healthcare facility staff and disaster preparedness training focusing on the healthcare facility. Healthcare staff will be trained as disaster response leaders.
AAI's Indonesian Program Office is managed by Frank Tyler. Frank is supported by, Eva Pitaloka, Executive Officer; Michael Gloeckle, Construction Manager; Daniel Pongsamma, Community Engagement Coordinator; Niko Herlambang, Engineering Supervisor; and shortly Corie Waddell, Training Manager. With such a strong project team and excellent support from our partner - Community Based Assistance Provider (RHK Project Management), AAI is confident that we will continue to provide quality assistance to the earthquake affected populations of Java.
4 July 2007
AAI COMMENCES NEW PROJECTS IN JAVA, INDONESIA
In June this year, AAI was awarded the tender to commence a community based rehabilitation program funded by the Yogyakarta - Central Java Community-Based Assistance Program (CBAP). CPAB, an Australian and Indonesia initiative, was founded to manage small scall community rehabilitation projects after last year's May earthquake that resulted in major devastation throughout the Central Java Province.
The aim of this project is to rebuild earthquake affected medical clinics, using best practice construction techniques and material. In addition, the project aims to train and build disaster-resilient communities through a process of self-help, cooperation and on the job training of local builders, architects, practitioners, clinic staff and community groups. Making clinics safer against earthquakes not only protects building occupants but also educates community participants during the construction process.
A participatory approach that includes all stakeholders will be used during the project. On the job training during the construction phase will provide a great opportunity for technology transfer.
AAI anticipates commencing construction in August after completing the community consultation phase.
20 February 2007
AAI Watsan Program in Central Java achieves all major milestones!
AAI has now achieved all of its major goals in its Water & Sanitation program in Central Java including the cleaning of 1000 wells, deepening 62 wells, constructing 40 sample septic systems, delivering 460 septic system kits, constructing 50 latrine sample systems and delivering 270 latrine kits. Details of this project are described below.
1. Situation Analysis
The Java earthquake that occurred on the 27 May 2005 severely affected both drinking water supply and sanitation systems in the Jogjakarta and Central Java Provinces . In many areas this resulted in wells collapsing, water sources degrading or being contaminated from adjacent effluent systems. The extent of this damage, along with the existing poor state of water and sanitation in the region, had the potential to contribute to a significant long term impact on the health and hygiene of the community.
AAI had already assisted with the implementation of the District Water Department (PDMA) program which aimed at rehabilitating water supply and sanitation systems to at least pre-earthquake standards, by conducting rehabilitation and repair operations on household water supply and sanitation.
AAI have already built in excess of 2,000 temporary latrines and cleaned and repaired 850 wells in the Pandak Sub-District . Although the emergency phase of the humanitarian relief effort has past and efforts have moved into early recovery, there was an urgent need for permanent works to be commenced so that the earthquake affected population could return to their normal daily routines.
In the early recovery phase AAI already considered longer term sustainable solutions. The rehabilitation of permanent latrine structures and low cost septic systems meet the requirements of sustainability. It was acknowledged however, that although the repair of current well water systems would not meet international standards in regards to safe drinking water, rehabilitation and repair works of wells would have a significant positive impact on providing access to sufficient quantities of water which is vital in the reduction of infectious water borne diseases.
2. Project Description
There are a total of 54,103 people in Pandak and 30,040 in Kretek Sub-Districts of Bantul where AAI conducted its water and sanitation operations. Much of the community was suffering from inadequate water supply and poor sanitation resulting in a further decrease in the overall health and hygiene of the target population. This is a major public health concern during the post disaster period which particularly impacts upon vulnerable groups in the community.
AAI's proposed integrated water and sanitation project included the continuation of AAI 's water and sanitation works in the Bantul District. However, the focus in this program was on a longer term sustainable solution whilst still providing the necessary temporary access to water and sanitation systems through the distribution of family water and sanitation incentive packages.
Sanitation was addressed through the rehabilitation of latrine structures and the installation of low cost septic systems. Families with damaged latrines were provided with an incentive package which includes the materials to ensure suitable permanent framing for walls and roofing, know as the core building structure. In collaboration with community, the community was provided the necessary materials and labour for the cladding of the walls and roof covering for beneficiary privacy and protection. It is anticipated that families who do not have the resources to finish the works permanently could use temporary cladding materials until such time as they were provided with permanent cladding, as the structure to be constructed would have a permanent core frame work.
Additionally, family groups eligible for septic systems have received an incentive package including materials, technical advice, training, and support for the building of low cost septic systems.
The water component of the project was addressed by the temporary cleaning of well water supply systems, and repair to lightly damaged well structures. Additionally, those wells selected for deepening works were deepened to provide sufficient water capacity by experience well deepening teams.
3. Well Cleaning Activities
Well cleaning activities commenced on Monday 4 th December 2006 . The purpose of well cleaning activities was to provide the community with improved water quality as well as with an increase in the quantities of water produced from the wells in order to cater for families' daily needs.
AAI has now achieved its target of cleaning and provide minor repairs to 1000 wells.
4. Well Deepening Activities
AAI identified a minimum of 62 wells within the affected communities that required deepening in order to provide sufficient quantities of water for families which did not have sufficient access to water within their communities. AAI completed the target of 62 wells within 16 days of commencing the well deepening activities. Wells were deepened to an average of 4m to produce water at the lowest dry season levels.
5. Septic Systems
Low cost septic system family incentive packages were provided to identified families who had damaged and ineffective septic systems as a result of the earthquake. AAI commenced the construction of sample septic systems as part of the training for standards of construction. AAI have now distributed 460 complete kits and built 40 sample septic systems.
6. Latrine Structures
The provision of permanent core latrine structure incentive packages with temporary wall cladding has commenced with procurement of all materials and the sub-contracting for columns and roof framing. AAI distributed 270 latrine structure incentive packages to those families identified as requiring latrine structures and built 50 sample systems.
7. Community Meetings
Four community meetings were held in order to follow up socialisation of the WATSAN program in Kecamatan at the Desa level. This enabled AAI to provide more information about the WATSAN program and to organise the time for training and workshops at the Dusun level. These meetings have enabled free exchange of information and discussion about local existing and emerging issues.
Training & Workshops
Training and Workshops were conducted and were an effective means of enhancing the socialisation of the WATSAN program. These enable AAI to communicate directly with the community and in particular with beneficiaries.
At the training sessions and workshops members of the community who were to receive packages met in a central location (generally the house of the headman). During the training the headman was present to offer assistance, which included the provision of more information, technical assistance for the field, explaining the criteria for beneficiaries, explaining what materials will be distributed, timings for distribution and the timings for working and undertaking this program. Again, the community participation in the program enhances the acceptance of the program throughout the community.
9. Conclusion
AAI have been working in close collaboration with all key stakeholders including, Jogjakarta-Central Java Community Assistance Program (J-CJCAP) , UNICEF, the PDMA, as well as the community to identify and prioritise those areas that have suffered the most as a result of the May earthquake.
The AAI Water & Sanitation has made a distinct and measurable difference to the earthquake affected population in the Central Java Provinces. AAI is continuing to monitor the community construction of the systems and will be providing physical assistance and incentives over the forthcoming months.
14 December 2006
AAI expands it's role in Bantul, Central Java
Since the last Situation Report AAI has expanded it's work in Central Java to include the continuation and extension of the Temporary School Construction Program as well as a multi-faceted Water and Sanitation Program. The AAI Team in Indonesia now numbers 64 in total, with all but one being local.
The construction of temporary schooling in Bantul was so successful that it has continued into a second phase. This second phase will see a further 16 Traditional Schools completed by the end of December 2006. The first phase was completed in mid November ahead of schedule.
Joko and his new Technical Supervisor Fery will work together to ensure that the AAI reputation as a professional and high quality organisation is maintained.
December has seen the commencement of the Water and Sanitation Program. Daniel Pongsamma, the Program Coordinator and Niko Herlambang, the Assistant Program Coordinator are leading a high quality Watsan Team to deliver four objectives. These are: the deepening of existing wells, the cleaning of existing wells, the construction of latrines and the construction of septic systems. All of this is being augmented by a community participation and training program led by AAI, in partnership with Bina Swadya (BS), a local NGO.
The AAI Headquarter Team have also managed a smooth transition between Frank Tyler, Director of Operations and his temporary replacement James Judge, Deputy Director of Operations. Frank is currently leading a Disaster Assessment Response Team deployment in the Philippines . With very little time available to prepare for the deployment and conduct a hand-over, the team have worked well to integrate James into his new role in Indonesia .
James arrived just in time to represent AAI at the hand over ceremony for the recently completed Community Health Clinic (Pustu) at Mangunan located one hour away from Jogjakarta . The Indonesian Government was represented by Bupati Bantul (Mayor of Bantul) who, along with his wife, accepted the keys to the Pustu from AAI. It was a rare honour to have such a senior dignitary take the time to support this important event.
James Judge
Deputy Director of Operations
Australian Aid International
1 October 2006
AAI building 15 Traditional Schools in Bantul, Central Java
The earthquake that occurred on the 27 th May 2006 severely affected Central Java and in particular the Bantul District. One of the many areas that suffered the brunt of the destruction has been the education system, with many schools left damaged to the point of inhabitability.
Australian Aid International ( AAI ) is providing relief assistance by rehabilitating schools with transitional facilities for primary school aged children within the Pandak and Pundong Sub-Districts of Bantul.
Currently, children attending school are being taught in emergency tent facilities. AAI in partnership with UNICEF will implement the Transitional Schools Construction Project to ensure that children can continue to attend school in a manner which is not disadvantageous to them and that provides appropriate educational amenities.
AAI is constructing 15 traditional bamboo buildings with a life expectancy between two and three years. To complement these works, and in collaboration with UNICEF, AAI have planned a program of community sensitisation will be conducted throughout the serviced communities to promote community participation in the project.
The AAI team is being ably led by its local staff Joko Sutrisno (Contracts Administrator) and "Nanang" (Technical Supervisor) to ensure a quality deliverable and the completion of the project by end of November 2006.
12 September 2006
AAI now employs 52 national staff that are assisting with five different projects aimed at supporting the long term recovery of the Javanese population. All of the programs implemented by AAI are aimed at improving long-term community health and education.
AAI's three distribution teams have delivered over 900 latrine construction kits to the community within the Bantul Sub-District . Each construction kit contains all the material required to construct a transitional latrine shelter. So far, the community with assistance from AAI's seven construction teams have constructed over 150 transitional latrine structures using material and technical support from AAI. The distribution of the remaining 1,000 latrine construction kits is expected to be completed within the next two weeks. Another two construction teams and two kit assembly teams will be employed within the next week to increase latrine construction.
While 44% of the United Nations revised emergency recovery phase targets for well-cleaning have been met, AAI has completed 110% of its initial targets for well rehabilitation, with over 550 wells now cleaned and have also received chlorination treatment. The chlorination treatment destroys 99% of Escherichia Coli and bacteria's.
An integral part of AAI 's community healthcare program is the rehabilitation and reestablishment of services at the Sub-District and Desa levels, which include continued support and capacity building after reconstruction or rehabilitation. AAI has worked in close collaboration with the district health authorities and local communities to conduct detailed assessments in the Bantul, Kretek, Trihajo and Dlingo Sub-Districts to ascertain which areas require support.
The Pundong medical clinic that AAI is constructing in partnership with OpUSA has now reached “lock up” stage (80% complete) and construction of the clinic is expected to be completed within the next two weeks. Medical equipment supplied by Direct Relief International has now arrived in Jakarta and will be released by customs within the next week. AAI is now searching for new furniture for the Pundong Pustu.
AAI determined, in consultation with the Department of Health and local government authorities that the Dlingo Sub-District's Mangunan Desa's Pustu (medical clinic) was the most urgently needed pustu to be replaced after being destroyed by the May earthquake. This priority medical clinic serves a population of 5,000 people including more than 1,000 children under the age of five years. The consultation rate at the Pustu before the earthquake was 15 to 30 patients per day. The Pustu currently has three doctors allocated to it, who consult three days per week including a mobile medical clinic on Mondays. A dentist also visits once per week, in addition to three midwives who work at the Pustu from Monday to Friday between 8am and 12pm .
As clean water and effective sanitation is a vital aspect of community health, AAI will install these facilities at each of the two pustu's it is building. Existing water supply systems will be rehabilitated and enhanced and hand washing amenities installed in each consulting room and bathroom.
AAI will continue other health programs within the Bantul District, whilst implementing this construction program. Current expatriate and local field staff that are already assisting with other projects are being used to design and manage the Mangunan Pustu construction program.
The DHO, with the support of the Yogyakarta Provincial Health Office, have guaranteed continued staffing and supplies at the Mangunan Pustu after construction is completed. The Puskesmus (Sub-District Health) Coordinator has assured AAI that both a Doctor and Dentist will be in attendance at the Pustu between two and three days per week and atleast one midwife will be working at the Pustu four to five times per week.
Meanwhile, AAI's Community Development Officer has been continuing her liaison with other NGO's and UNICEF regarding the construction of transitional bamboo schools throughout the Bantal District. AAI has completed the designs and site inspections for 15 elementary (primary) schools. AAI is now waiting on partnership approval from UNICEF to start construction.
Report Prepared by:
Dominic Bowen
Country Coordinator, Indonesia
International Information and Security Manager
20 August 2006
AAI now has 42 national staff working alongside four expatriate staff who are assisting with six different projects aimed at supporting the long term recovery of the affected population.
The Water and Sanitation Programs are achieving notable results with 86 sample temporary latrines constructed and 174 wells rehabilitated in areas that are still suffering from the effects of the May earthquake. Four more local construction staff and one new supervisor will be hired within the next few days. The new staff will boost our capacity to give out latrine building materialto the community as the distribution phase commences.
As part of the Malaria control program in the Ciamis District, Environmental Residual Spraying has been completed in all six Sub-Districts, covering 96 hectares. The living conditions for approximately 5,000 Internally Displaced People (IDP) within the Ciamis District has improved with 21 out of 23 IDP camps being disinfected with Virkon. The disinfection of rubbish-dumps, temporary latrines and living areas will greatly reduce the spread of communicable diseases within these IDP camps. 500 bed-nets that are designed to prevent mosquitos from biting people are being shipped to Pangandaran and expected to arrive early next week.
The medical clinic construction project at Pundong is moving ahead steadily. Last week, AAI's construction team met on site and completed a full inspection, discussing possible improvements in the method of building, and ways of ensuring greater levels of quality and safety of the structure. The clinic construction is expected to be completed by 7 September 2006 .
AAI is conducting area assessments throughout the Bantal District to ascertain what other medical clinics still need to be reconstructed. As soon as an area is located where the medical clinic is no longer functioning as a result of earthquake damage, AAI, in consultation with local authorities, will commence construction with assistance from OpUSA.
Our Community Development Officer has had several meetings with other NGO's and UNICEF who are interested in either funding or constructing transitional schools throughout the Bantal District. Since the earthquake, most children have been attending tented schools. AAI along with other partners are keen to build transitional schools that provide children a more positive learning environment to study in.
Our Community Development Officer is continuing to conduct site inspections and complete area assessments in order to determine what areas have the most urgent need. AAI intends on constructing 15 bamboo transitional primary schools by the end of the year.
Report Prepared by:
Dominic Bowen
Country Coordinator, Indonesia
International Information and Security Manager
13 August 2006
The Water and Sanitation Program, which AAI is completing in partnership with UNICEF, commenced on the Tuesday the 1st of August 2006. The program started with the education and training of 49 local Posyendu's (local medical staff) in sanitation, personal and family hygiene, disease recognition and treatment. Before the end of September, the program aims to construct 2000 temporary latrines, clean and repair 500 wells and distribute 1500 hygiene packs for people most sceptical to disease and illness.
In the first week of program while the Posyendu training was being completed, our local staff commenced data collection and validation. The locations, state-of-repair and cleanliness of the latrines and wells, which service over 47,000 people were confirmed.
Week two of the WATSAN program marked the commencement of latrine construction and well rehabilitation. Our local staff were organised into ten latrine construction teams and two well rehabilitation teams. Each team has an Engineering Supervisor and a Project Manager supervising the Engineers.
At the conclusion of the second week, 44 latrines had been constructed and 93 wells rehabilitated. Each team can construct approximately one latrine each day. One of the aims of the latrine construction project is to train the local community in the latrine construction and to then provide them with all the material they need to build or reconstruct their own.
At the moment, all able-bodied men are repairing or rebuilding their houses. Our latrine project manager has expressed concerns that the community will not get involved in latrine construction until their houses are complete. AAI have had meetings with the village leaders to emphasis the importance of the latrine project and the community's involvement.
Next Sunday, the Chumut (village leader) of eight Dusuns will distribute building material for latrine construction, along with posters explaining the construction methods, in his area of Gilangharjo.
Construction of the Pundong medical clinic is proceeding in line with revised expectations and is due to be completed by the 7th of September 2006. All external walls have been constructed and the roof construction should be completed by next Wednesday.
AAI has distributed 400 mosquito repellent bed nets and education on how to use them throughout the Pangandaran Sub-District as part of our Malaria Control Program in that area. Along with bed nets, AAI is also conducting indoor residual spraying of existing homes and environmental spraying of the surrounding area. So far, approximately 45 hectares have been treated as part of our environmental spraying program.
The village of Madassari , which has been severely affected by the tsunami, had 75 cases of Malaria last year. Once the Malaria Control Program is complete, the number of new cases of Malaria is expected to lower dramatically.
AAI have now completed the hygiene promotion campaign within the IDP settlements throughout the Pangandaran Sub-District . More than 1000 hygiene kits along with simple hygiene sensitisation messages have been distributed. AAI has distributed 100 plastic tarpaulins to families within the IDP camps who have no alternative housing.
Dominic Bowen
Country Coordinator, Indonesia
International Information and Security Manager
22 July 2006
Program Name Java Earthquake Emergency Watsan Project
Project Duration -22 July 2006 - 22 August 2006 1 Month
Project Goal and Objectives:
To provide humanitarian assistance and direct relief to those populations affected by the Java earthquake and the West Java tsunami.
Preparing the area for construction of the new Pundung Medical Clinic
Objectives:
1. Provide an effective humanitarian response to the population of Pundung Sub-District, Bantul district, D. I Jogjakarta Province , who were affected by the Java earthquake.
AAI provided medical personnel to enhance the capacity of the under-resourced local health facility that was totally destroyed by the earthquake. AAI assisted in enhancing the clinic's capacity through the provision of human resources and medical supplies from DRI. Essential medicines, fluids, vaccines, malnutrition treatments and wound dressing products which were supplied to local clinics have assisted in minimising the chance of infection outbreak while increasing the levels of patient care and community health.
AAI medical staff also assisted the Pundong Sub-District's three midwives with the daily running of the midwifery clinic and patient care through a mentoring and training system. The midwives receiving training in disease recognition and surveillance, prevention and recognition, trauma management and spinal injury care.
In an effort to provide rapid long-term recovery, AAI were able to negotiate the rebuilding of the medical clinic and initial medical supplies and equipment once it is complete. The medical clinic is now 50% complete.
Early Progress at Pundung Clinic
2. Provide an effective humanitarian response to the population affected by the West Java tsunami.
In the small rice-farming village of Madasari in the Ciamis District of Central South Java, over 90% of the homes and public buildings were destroyed, including the Pustu, the local medical clinic. The isolated beachfront village has a population of about 1000 people. 45 Villagers died when the tsunami struck. Almost 75% of the village are still living in temporary shelters and are afraid of returning home in fear of another tsunami.
AAI went to work immediately upon arrival: providing food, blankets, hygiene kits, and temporary shelters to the victims. After coordinating with village leaders and other NGOs, AAI delivered and erected two 72 square meter tents that are being utilised as emergency schools while transitional buildings are being constructed.
In partnership with other organisations, AAI has distributed 400 mosquito repellent bed nets and education on how to use them throughout the Pangandaran Sub-District . Along with bed nets AAI is also conducting indoor residual spraying of existing homes and environmental spraying of the surrounding area. So far, approximately 45 hectares have been treated as part of the environmental spraying program. Last year the village of Madassari had 75 cases of Malaria. Once the Malaria Control Program is complete, the number of new cases of Malaria is expected to lower dramatically.
AAI have completed a hygiene promotion campaign within the IDP settlements throughout the Pangandaran Sub-District . More than 1000 hygiene kits along with simple hygiene sensitisation messages have been distributed. 100 plastic tarps, which are being used as emergency shelters, have been distributed to families with no alternative housing.
Deserted Sea-Side Village 10 August 2006
For more information on other programs being completed by AAI in Indonesia , please contact Dominic Bowen.
Report Prepared by:
Dominic Bowen
Country Coordinator
Indonesia
Post Tsunami IDP camps in Cimerak District, West Java .
Thousands of refugees displaced after the July 17 th tsunami in southern Java have settled into 16 IDP (Internally Displaced People) camps dispersed throughout the hills of the Cimerak District. The standards are very basic at most camps; in many cases there are two families living in one tent; left over food, trash, (sometimes feces and dead animals) are thrown into a pile not far from living areas before being eventually burned. In the Cimerak District, it rains about every three days and these trash pits become a festering pit of bacteria and incubating mosquitoes.
“When assessing and inspecting the IDP camps we found a problem and immediately went to work to find the solution,” said Ucoh, a recently hired local in charge procurement and distribution of goods and services.
The AAI team disinfected the worse trash piles and areas around the temporary latrines. The team then commenced spraying stagnant water around the camps that left over by the three-meter tsunami, with insecticide.
Along with educating IDPs about proper hygiene, AAI also provides an evening mobile medical clinic at the IDP camps. “When we were delivering food and hygiene kits, we noticed a need for medical assistance. Many of the IDPs work in the day, but need bandages changed and old stitches removed”, said Donald, the Medical Director for AAI in Pangandaran, the site of the most fatalities from the tsunami. “We just grab our medical gear and jump on our motorbikes when the sun sets and find refugees that have been overlooked,” said Donald. “That's the way AAI works: identify the problem, find the solution, and fix it. We get immediate results with positive long term effects.”
Donald Fontenot - Project Assistance - Java August 2006
16 June 2006
Current Situation
The official death toll reportedly provided by SATKORLAK on June 7 stood at 5,865, and the number of injured at 37,921. According to SATKORLAK, 398,548 homes have been either damaged or destroyed. Per OCHA, GOI has issued a deadline for its staff to reconcile and finalize its figures for dead, injured, hospitalized, displaced, as well as figures on damage to housing and infrastructure by June 14.
Yesterday (Wednesday, June 14), Indonesia's largest group of donors--the Consultative Group of Indonesia (CGI), led by the World Bank - announced a US$5.4 billion aid package comprising loans and grants to support the government's medium-term development and reconstruction of disaster stricken areas. Some US$1.5 billion in grants to be disbursed directly to the public, outside of the country's fiscal budget, will be for rehabilitation and reconstruction of quake-affected Yogyakarta and Central Java . (JP, June 15)
BAKORNAS is coordinating international relief assistance at the country level, while the provincial-level Disaster Management Board (SATKORLAK) is working at the provincial level. A 7-member United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team is divided into 3 sub-teams under the leadership of Rajan Gengaje. The United Nations on Friday, (June 2) launched a US$103 million Emergency Response Action Plan for the earthquake-affected areas to cover the immediate needs for the next six months. According to the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), half of the funds should go toward emergency shelter. More than 50 international and indigenous relief NGOs are on the ground. At least 22 governments have responded with financial assistance, in-kind material assistance and relief personnel.
Aid workers say a major eruption of Mount Merapi as result of recent activity could possibly displace one million people. Merapi has shown increased activity since the quake. Dome of volcano has now swelled to 330 feet (100m), raising fears that it might collapse and could send searing-hot clouds of gas and debris pouring down the slopes into inhabited areas. The lava dome, which currently stands at about 3 million cubic meters (3.92 million cubic yards), is growing more than 100,000 cubic meters (130,000 cubic yards) a day. Center of Volcanology and Geological Hazard has raised the alert level for Merapi to the highest level a day after lowering it to the second highest level, due to an increase in volcanic activity. (CNN, JP, AFP, Reuters, June 14)
Overall relief operations continue in full swing in all areas—food, shelter, sanitation, water etc. Developments on Mount Merapi were being considered as part of the overall emergency response plan in the quake-affected region by UN agencies and other humanitarian actors.
Current AAI Ops
AAI has established a tent clinic at Desa Seloharjo in Pundong Bantul which is now operating as the Puskesmas that was completely destroyed.
The AAI medical team is attending to 40 patients a day on average with the presentations being generally either:
- Acute Respiratory Illnesses
- Non specific eye complaints
- Acute tetanus prone wounds
- Non specific skin conditions
AAI has now obtained 100 hygiene kits and 200 water jerrys and will co-ordinate with the Kepala Desa to prioritise the distribution to those with greatest need.
AAI manning of the replacement Puskesmas has freed local health staff to concentrate on the Provincial blanket tetanus immunization campaign over the next week. After completion of the tetanus campaign AAI will commence capacity building and nationalization in anticipation of an end of June handover.
Health Cluster
The Health Cluster continues to meet on Mon/Wed/Fri nights and is attended by an AAI Representative. The focus is and has been on the Tetanus campaign as there have been in excess of 50 cases (19 deaths) in Java to date.
9 June 2006
Today was another busy day for the AAI team. An early start saw the convoy of AAI cars and motorbikes winding its way through the devastated towns of Bantul towards the AAI Puskesmas at Seloharjo. Word is now around the District that the AAI teams are dispensing expert medical care which has resulted in a dramatic increase in the number of presentations.
Dr Dennis Stempler who is ably supported by our nurses Sasha, Will and Don dispense much needed treatment and often counseling to the large catchment which is now the AAI AO. Injuries and illnesses very with the majority being follow ups from injuries sustained in the earthquake.
Because of the oppressive heat just about all the patients are seen under the “Wellness Tree” which is situated near the main AAI tent. Benches and tables have been setup for people to simply come and sit and be treated by the team. Dr Dennis holds court patiently giving each person the same concern and detailed treatment. A lot of laughing is heard as jokes are made and everybody participates in the theatre. “Lucky” our interpreter comments on how good it is to see the people smiling.
During the day a quake is felt by the team causing the tent to shudder. Not reports of damage or injury so all is good.
The AAI team work all day with no break and are supported by Nani and Dewi as administrative co-ordinators who take down patient data and also assist in the interpretation of symptoms. All in all over 70 patients are seen by the clinic team.
Just as the AAI team are packing to leave at around 8pm , word is given that the wife of the Village Chief is dangerously ill. Without hesitation Dr Dennis and Sasha hop on the back of two bikes and head into the night to see the stricken woman. The patients condition is a concern and Dennis stays with her to stabilize her condition before determining that it she is safe to leave until tomorrow for a possible evacuation.
By the time the team is finished it's another 11pm day and a quick co-ordination meeting before heading back to the house.
Basic Data :
- District: Pundong Kecamatan (Bantul Kabupatan)
- Sub-District: Seloharjo Desa
- Total population: 10,784
- No. of families: 2,817
- Children under 5 years of age: 776
- Unaccompanied minors: 120
- Unaccompanied elders: 250
- Pregnant women: 69
- Local Health Providers supported: 5
- No of homes destroyed: 1,533
8 June 2006
Today the entire AAI team proceeded by vehicle convoy with the Tigers Motorcycle Club to the Seloharjo Desa in Bantul Province to re-establish the Puskesmas (main health facility) that had been completely destroyed by the earthquake.
AAI's mission is to re-establish the Puskesmas and capacity build the local health system to conduct the operation.
On the road to the clinic AAI witnessed massive devastation to the housing and infrastructure. Over 1,500 houses had been demolished by the earthquake in the area of operation (AO).
On arriving at the site the AAI team immediately commenced establishment of the site. Within 4 hrs the team had established a working clinic and immediately began consulting patients. Many local villagers visited the clinic during the day keeping Dr Dennis, Will and Don very busy while David and Marc setup the isolation tent and medical waste incinerator. The bikers from the Tigers Motorcycle Club were of immense assistance and quickly erected tentage and thoroughly cleaned the area as well as acted as interpreters.
In addition our local volunteers Nani, Dewi and Lucky acted as med assistants.
Notwithstanding the busy day, some of the AAI team assisted with food distributions that occurred near the Puskesmas.
During the day the team also felt a severe aftershook which caused many people to run from their houses back in Yogyakarta . In addition Mt Merapi continued to spew lava into the Klaton area causing concern with many members of the Tigers club whose familes were in the area.
The team worked through the heat of the day and saw their last patient by 7pm making it a long day before the journey back to the house in Sleman and further planning ready for another day.
In conjunction with these efforts AAI medical director who attends all UN, WHO and partner emergency meeting has been lobbying for data management and centralization of information relating to patients who have been treated and discharged from the hospital, most of whom will need follow up care. The idea proposed was much appreciated by the coordinating bodies and the Provincial health authorities are looking into such possibilities. AAI offered the rational that if teams such as AAI where made aware of patients needing follow up, and more importantly, knew where to find them, information systems could be arranged to facilitate sharing such information with the appropriate village based health teams. The teams could then provide the essential follow-up so as these patience would continue receiving adequate care and support for successful healing and general health improvement.
As the direct emergency phase rapidly came to a halt, NGO's began leaving Java as quickly as they arrived. In fact, this has created a new sort of “emergency” once again leaving the hospitals understaffed and overwhelmed. Reports from coordination meetings revealed that although thousands of fatally wounded have received surgical intervention, still hundreds of people remain on waiting lists. National and International surgeons continue working around the clock in every operating theatre available. AAI was recognized for our efforts in following up with wound care and other injuries noting that with more continued efforts like ours, many problems will not progress to necessitating surgical intervention.
While AAI has continued it's mobile efforts, we have also solidified a relationship with the District health authorities in Pundong, and it just so happens that as the UN was telling all international mobile teams to halt, the AAI team was already quick at work setting up and settling into a tent based clinic. Here the AAI team will work with the 5 local providers. The District health employees will take over AAI field operations while AAI will equip and staff the clinic offering the tent facility as a referral and primary care centre until a more permanent facility becomes available.
AAI also will construct an incinerator at the clinic site to manage the medical waste of local mobile teams and the clinic. The following information offers a brief summary of AAI's new area of operation.