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Country analysis

Indonesia


Conflict in West Papua territory (also known as Western New Guinea) drives the current humanitarian situation in Indonesia. The armed and political activity led by the Free Papua Movement has been calling for the independence of the region since the 1960s. It has resulted in low-intensity conflict with the country’s armed forces. The conflict has also led to reduced access to basic services, movement restrictions, reduced livelihood opportunities for the indigenous population, and displacements. Information on the region is scarce, but estimates suggest the number of IDPs to be from 75,000–100,000.

The Indonesian Government has been repeatedly accused of human rights violations and the violent suppression of the movement. IDPs need protection, shelter, food, NFIs, and health assistance. Some have been displaced to remote areas, such as forests, where access to basic services and humanitarian assistance is very limited.

Indonesia sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, making it prone to multiple natural hazards. This exposure to natural hazards, coupled with rapid urbanisation and low institutional and infrastructural coping capacity to shocks, leaves the population vulnerable to natural disasters.

(EC accessed 04/02/2024, UN 01/03/2022, EAF 11/06/2022, HRM accessed 04/02/2024, HRM 06/10/2023)

Conflict in West Papua territory (also known as Western New Guinea) drives the current humanitarian situation in Indonesia. The armed and political activity led by the Free Papua Movement has been calling for the independence of the region since the 1960s. It has resulted in low-intensity conflict with the country’s armed forces. The conflict has also led to reduced access to basic services, movement restrictions, reduced livelihood opportunities for the indigenous population, and displacements. Information on the region is scarce, but estimates suggest the number of IDPs to be from 75,000–100,000.

The Indonesian Government has been repeatedly accused of human rights violations and the violent suppression of the movement. IDPs need protection, shelter, food, NFIs, and health assistance. Some have been displaced to remote areas, such as forests, where access to basic services and humanitarian assistance is very limited.

Indonesia sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, making it prone to multiple natural hazards. This exposure to natural hazards, coupled with rapid urbanisation and low institutional and infrastructural coping capacity to shocks, leaves the population vulnerable to natural disasters.

(EC accessed 04/02/2024, UN 01/03/2022, EAF 11/06/2022, HRM accessed 04/02/2024, HRM 06/10/2023)

Latest updates on country situation

05 September 2023

A combination of hailstorms, frost, and drought, attributable to the global El Niño phenomenon, has destroyed crops and caused food shortages in Indonesia’s Central Papua province, affecting Puncak Regency the most. Around 8,000 people urgently need food assistance. Other needs include blankets, cold weather clothes, and medicine. (STC 05/09/2023, FAO/OCHA 31/08/2023)

current crises
in Indonesia


These crises have been identified through the INFORM Severity Index, a tool for measuring and comparing the severity of humanitarian crises globally.

Read more about the Index

IDN002 - Papua Conflict

Last updated 27/02/2024


Drivers

Socio-political
Violence

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

2.5 Medium

Access constraints

3.0

Analysis products
on Indonesia

Indonesia: Earthquake in West Java province

25 November 2022

Indonesia: Earthquake in West Java province

DOCUMENT / PDF / 319 KB

On 21 November 2022, an earthquake measuring 5.6 on the Ritcher scale occurred at a depth of 10km in the West Java province of Indonesia. The earthquake has damaged at least 56,300 houses and has displaced around 61,000 people. At least 58,000 people are living in shelters.

Natural hazards
Indonesia: Floods

10 January 2020

Indonesia: Floods

DOCUMENT / PDF / 465 KB

Between 31 December 2019 and 1 January 2020, the Northeast monsoon brought rainfall to Indonesia leading to heavy flooding across the Greater Jakarta area.14,000 people were reportedly displaced on the 8 January, down from previous days' estimates. The displaced are spread across 60 emergency shelters. 

Natural hazards
Indonesia: Earthquake and Tsunami Update

10 October 2018

Indonesia: Earthquake and Tsunami Update

DOCUMENT / PDF / 1 MB

Several earthquakes struck Central Sulawesi province from 28–29 September. Land liquefaction caused by the earthquake also had serious humanitarian consequences as the fate of two villages with approximately 5,000 residents remains uncertain. At least 74,000 people have been displaced and 2,010 people have died, and these numbers continue to rise. At least 616,000 people have been affected.

Natural hazards
Indonesia: Earthquake and Tsunami

01 October 2018

Indonesia: Earthquake and Tsunami

DOCUMENT / PDF / 1 MB

Several earthquakes struck Central Sulawesi province from 28–29 September. The strongest earthquake had a magnitude of 7.5 and triggered a tsunami that hit land at a speed of 800 kph with waves of up to 6m. Around 42,000 people have been displaced and 1,200 people killed, with these numbers expected to continue rising rapidly. At least, 300,000 people were exposed to category 5-8 shaking, while up to 1.5 million people who live in the area may be affected.

Natural hazards
Indonesia: Lombok Earthquake

09 August 2018

Indonesia: Lombok Earthquake

DOCUMENT / PDF / 555 KB

On 5 August, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the island of Lombok in Indonesia, with its epicentre located inland in North Lombok. The area had already been impacted by a 6.4 magnitude earthquake on 29 July. On 9 August, the island was again hit by a 6.2 magnitude earthquake, creating panic among the population and further hindering the rescue efforts. 

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