CERF responds to massive displacement caused by floods in Aceh in 2006

On 22 December 2006, due to persistent rains in many parts of Aceh, flash floods and mud slides occurred in its northern and eastern districts, mainly in Aceh Tamiang, Aceh Utara and Bireuen.

An estimated 300,000 people were temporarily with no access to food, shelter and health services. The death toll stands at 56 persons with hundreds still missing.

Many key roads were cut off by the flood waters, and a number of evacuation points were accessible only by air and boat. Against this backdrop, the Government of Indonesia requested UN support for the emergency relief activities, particularly in Aceh Tamiang.

The Central Emergency Response Fund immediately responded with a grant of USD 1.9 million to assist the Government of Indonesia and the UN Country Team with emergency life-saving activities.

With the CERF rapid response grant, UNICEF was able to reach out to provide emergency assistance in the form of non-food items to the most vulnerable people amongst the affected population in East, North and Central Aceh. These non-food items include, plastic sheeting, tarpaulins, family tents, school tents jerry cans, water purification, cooking sets, hygiene kits, water bladders and kerosene stoves.

Further, IOM, in cooperation with local NGO partners, provided shelter, food, and non-food items for 15,000 internally displaced persons in the Bener Meriah, Aceh Tengah and Gayo Lues districts of Aceh, IOM also provided relief items to affected communities in the isolated villages of the Central Highlands.

WFP provided emergency food assistance for one month in the form of ready to eat food for over 200,000 flood affected people in the seven affected districts of Nanggroeh Aceh Darussalam.

[Last update: 23 January 2007]

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