Day: December 8, 2021

Spokesperson for COVID-19 Vaccinations for the Ministry of Health Siti Nadia Tarmizi has said that a report on the detection of the Omicron (B.1.1.529) coronavirus variant in Bekasi District, West Java, is untrue.

“It is not true (the report on Omicron variant). Up until now, there is no case of Omicron (in Indonesia),” she stressed here on Wednesday.

Tarmizi informed that her office had checked the information with laboratory officers in the region after a report emerged of four residents getting infected with the new COVID-19 variant.

“The Ministry of Health continues to increase the coverage of genome sequencing from the patients that are infected by COVID-19 in a bid to anticipate early the (spread of) Omicron and new variants of SARS-CoV-2 in the country,” she said.

As of now, there are 11 units of the genome sequencing engine in Indonesia, which are expected to help accelerate the detection of new variants of COVID-19, including the Omicron variant, she added.

To bolster efforts to prevent the entry of new COVID-19 variants, the government is also tightening supervisions on international travelers, Tarmizi said.

Earlier, head of the Bekasi District Health Office, Sri Enny Mainiarti, had shared a report on online mass media stating that the Omicron variant had been detected in four Jakarta residents based on a sample examination at Farmalab Laboratory, West Cikarang, Bekasi District.

The first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Indonesia in March 2020. According to data provided by the COVID-19 Handling Task Force, as of December 7, 2021, at least 4,258,076 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in the country, while 4,108,717 people have recovered, and 143,893 people have succumbed to the deadly virus.

Source: Antara News

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) inspected the construction of a flood mitigation embankment constructed by using sand-filled geotextile tubes in Ladang Sub-district, Sintang District, West Kalimantan Province, on Wednesday.

Geotextile tubes are large tubular bags made of a porous and weather-resistant geotextile filled with sediment, such as sand, to form artificial dunes or embankments.

“We expect that the attempt can reduce flooding for the short term,” the president remarked.

He attributed the disaster to several factors, including extreme rainfall and damaged watersheds as well as water catchment areas.

Hence, he urged to conduct reforestation in the areas around Kapuas River and Melawi River.

“I am optimistic that it would improve the condition in the water catchment areas and watersheds, especially in the upstream regions,” Jokowi stated.

Furthermore, he urged the Environment and Forestry Ministry and large private companies in West Kalimantan Province to establish tree seedling nurseries.

“Thus, reforestation can run well,” he stated.

Meanwhile, in terms of the medium-term flood handling attempts, the Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Ministry will dredge the surrounding lakes, structure the drainage system in the Kapuas River, and create a major flood control plan.

For the long-term endeavors, the government will build the Pinoh River Dam and conduct periodic revitalization of rivers and lakes in the Kapuas River watersheds.

After inspecting the embankment, Jokowi headed to the Sintang Health Detachment and witnessed the handing of social assistance, public kitchen car, and rubber boat.

The disaster struck on October 21, 2021, and lasted for about a month after heavy rains caused the Kapuas River and Melawi River to overflow, thereby affecting over 124 thousand people.

During the visit, the head of state was accompanied by PUPR Minister Basuki Hadimuljono, State Secretary Minister Pratikno, Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharini, and Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi, as well as several related officials.

Source: Antara News

Governor of Central Java Ganjar Pranowo has urged the governments of three districts — Tegal, Brebes, and Pemalang — to accelerate COVID-19 vaccinations in a bid to achieve the 70-percent target in two weeks.

“I have contacted three district heads because the vaccination percentage is still low despite them having surpassed 50 percent. We want an average of 70 percent just like what the president has ordered,” he noted here, Wednesday.

Pranowo emphasized that the regional governments in those three districts must be able to expedite COVID-19 vaccinations, especially since the number of available vaccines has increased.

“The president has provided many facilities. Now, there is no excuse, as there are plenty of vaccines (available),” he remarked.

The governor stressed that President Joko Widodo’s order regarding vaccination coverage must be executed at the earliest. He affirmed that the provincial government of Central Java would help if the governments of those three districts were unable to expedite the vaccinations.

“I think what the president has conveyed must be executed by us. We will assist the three districts if they cannot (accelerate vaccinations),” he affirmed.

Pranowo noted that the three districts were given a target to accelerate their vaccinations for the next two weeks.

“I urge that vaccinations in these two weeks be accelerated. If they cannot do it, we will help the three regions, so that there is a significant increase,” he stated.

In a bid to boost immunity against COVID-19, the Indonesian government had launched a nationwide vaccination program on January 13, 2021.

According to data provided by the Health Ministry, as of December 8, 2021, nearly 143,794,042 citizens have received their first COVID-19 shot, while 100,459,272 have been fully vaccinated against the virus.

Source: Antara News

Jakarta Vice Governor Ahmad Riza Patria has said he will check the veracity of a recent report about four Jakarta residents being exposed to the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

“So, we will check and study the information. The health office has also followed up on it and we will make public the result later on,” he said here on Wednesday.

The vice governor said he will coordinate with the Jakarta Health Office to check the information.

Information on the spread of the coronavirus is very important for the Jakarta provincial government to prevent its transmission, he added.

“Such information is important for us to pass it on to the relevant agencies to respond to it,” he explained.

Earlier, chief of the Bekasi District Health Office, Sri Enny Mainiarti, had said that four Jakarta residents had been exposed to the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

It is believed they were exposed to the new variant of COVID-19 while traveling abroad, Mainiarti added.

They were confirmed positive for the new variant based on a sample test at a laboratory in West Cikarang, Bekasi district, the official said.

However, COVID-19 vaccination spokesperson for the Health Ministry Siti Nadia Tarmizi said the report on Omicron variant cases in Bekasi, West Java, was unfounded.

“That is not true. No Omicron variant case has been found in Indonesia so far,” she said on Wednesday.

She said the Health Ministry has verified the information with the laboratory in West Cikarang.

Source: Antara News

There is potential for coastal flooding in several regions of Indonesia from December 8–10, head of the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), Dwikorita Karnawati, informed at an online press conference on Wednesday.

“Maximum tidal height will likely increase, which could potentially lead to coastal flooding,” she said.

In addition to bad weather, high waves, and high-speed winds, the potential flooding will coincide with the new moon phase and the perigee, she added.

The Moon is closest to the Earth at perigee, when its gravitational pull on tides also increases, she said.

Coastal flooding is forecast to impact several regions, including Natuna Islands, Riau Islands, Bangka Belitung Islands, Ternate Island, and Halmahera Island, she added.

In addition, provinces, such as Lampung, Banten, Jakarta, West Java, Central Java, East Java, West Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, East Kalimantan, West Sulawesi, North Sulawesi, Gorontalo, West Papua, and Papua, will be affected by the phenomenon, Karnawati said.

Furthermore, it is possible that the phenomenon will also occur on December 18–22, 2021, due to the full moon phase, she added.

Coastal flooding could also be caused by the increasing intensity of extreme weather from December 2021 to February 2022 due to the Asian monsoon and the La Nina phenomenon, the BMKG head said.

The condition will become worse due to active cyclonic circulation and a cold surge in the South China Sea, which could increase wind speeds significantly to around 25 to 30 knots, she added.

It may cause wave height in the Natuna waters to reach four to six meters, she forecast.

Meanwhile, the rising wind speed in the Pacific Ocean will increase wave heights in the northern part of eastern Indonesia, she said.

“Hence, we advise the public to stay vigilant to anticipate the impact of the high waves and coastal flooding,” Karnawati added.

Source: Antara News

The Yogyakarta City Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) has sent humanitarian aid ranging from masks to boots for Lumajang district residents affected by the recent eruption of Mount Semeru.

“The assistance has been prepared according to the necessity of the Lumajang disaster mitigation agency. Thus hopefully it can be used immediately,” the agency’s head, Nur Hidayat, said here on Wednesday while dispatching the aid along with Yogyakarta Deputy Mayor Heroe Poerwadi.

The assistance comprised 20 thousand medical masks, four thousand hand sanitizers, 576 bath soaps, and 100 pairs of boots that were transported to Lumajang by using two cars of the Yogyakarta city disaster mitigation agency.

“We also sent four personnel to coordinate regarding which aids are still needed,” Hidayat said.

If it turns out that further assistance is required and the regional agency is able to fulfill it, the assistance will be included in the next delivery, he added.

“Furthermore, if Lumajang district BPBD still needs evacuation personnel, we will also coordinate about it,” Hidayat said.

However, Yogyakarta city BPBD will need some personnel to stay so that they can be deployed if a disaster occurs in the city, he added.

“It is highly possible for any disaster to happen amid this rainy season, thus, we still have to keep several personnel on standby in Yogyakarta city,” he explained.

Meanwhile, Yogyakarta Deputy Mayor Heroe Poerwadi said that the assistance showed the empathy and concern of Yogyakarta residents for Lumajang district residents.

“Hopefully, the assistance can ease the burden of Mount Semeru eruption victims,” he remarked.

The aid is also aimed at strengthening mutual solidarity as the disaster has occurred amid the COVID-19 pandemic, thus the victims’ burden has been heavier, he said.

The deputy mayor also asked the assistance delivery team to remain careful so that the aid can be disbursed well, he added. In addition, they should maintain the honor of Yogyakarta city, he remarked.

“If there is a request for additional assistance, we will do our best to fulfill it according to our ability,” he added.

Source: Antara News

Minister of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration, Abdul Halim Iskandar, has deemed the spirit of collectivism and mutual assistance among villagers as effective against the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It has been proven that villagers can handle the pandemic using a simple, effective, and large-scale method,” he said in a written statement issued here on Wednesday.

According to Iskandar, the majority of villagers in 74,961 villages in Indonesia have currently adapted to the new habit of wearing masks and maintaining distance during a gathering or a collective event.

The COVID-19 pandemic has made villagers realize the importance of reviving local customs, such as planting a variety of medicinal plants in their environment, he said..

While handling the COVID-19 in early 2020, the ministry instructed the formation of Village Volunteers Against COVID-19, spearheaded by village heads and their second-in-commands, the Village Deliberation Agency (BPD) heads, he said

As of December 7, 2021, the ministry has recorded at least 46,905 villages providing handwashing stations in public spaces and 45,081 villages distributing masks to residents, he informed.

Meanwhile, some 46,031 villages have carried out dissemination efforts concerning living with COVID-19, he said.

In addition, village governments have conducted a direct mandate concerning the COVID-19 pandemic, provided isolation spaces and 86,839 beds, and put up health protocol banners to adapt to new habits, he noted.

“The number of Village Volunteers Against COVID-19 in 2019 reached 1,628,787 people. They are in charge of disseminating information concerning the health protocols,” Iskandar informed.

Earlier, the COVID-19 Task Force reported that 100,459,272 Indonesians have received the complete COVID-19 vaccination dose.

According to the data received by ANTARA here on Wednesday, some 143,794,042 Indonesian citizens have received their first dose of the vaccine.

Source: Antara News

Appeal highlights

• Across the East Asia and Pacific region, the COVID-19 pandemic, compounded by disasters, continues to contribute to severe acute malnutrition (SAM) among children, unimmunized children and children without access to education. Girls and boys are exposed to heightened risks of physical, mental, and sexual violence and abuse. Millions of people lack access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene across the region.

• The UNICEF regional office will continue to support country offices, governments and partners by strengthening preparedness, enhancing systems and providing technical expertise for child-sensitive, gender-informed and disability-inclusive humanitarian action and risk-informed programming. UNICEF will also support in controlling the spread of COVID-19 and address the associated socioeconomic impacts.

• UNICEF is seeking US$118.8 million to respond to these critical needs, including US$99.6 million for the COVID-19 response and US$19.1 million to address non-COVID-related humanitarian needs. Twenty-four countries and territories are directly covered by this regional appeal.

IN NEED

1.7 million children affected by severe wasting in the region

7.4 million children miss first dose of measles vaccine

89 million people lack basic hygiene services at home

150 million children in psychosocial distress due to COVID-19

115 million children and adolescents lack access to education

HUMANITARIAN SITUATION

Natural hazards, civil unrest, displacement and protracted conflicts continue to impact the lives of children across East Asia and Pacific (EAP). Over 31 million people were affected by disasters triggered by natural hazards in EAP in 2020, more than any other region worldwide.

In January 2021, the West Sulawesi earthquake in Indonesia killed 107 people and affected 99,827 people.

The region is significantly affected by climate change, leading to more frequent and intense heatwaves, storms, floods and drought.

Tropical storms and cyclones affected children in the Pacific Islands, Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia and Viet Nam. In Viet Nam alone, 7.7 million people were affected in 2021, including 2.5 million children.

Heavy rains resulted in flash floods and landslides affecting households in China, Indonesia and TimorLeste.

In addition, chronic and protracted humanitarian situations due to unresolved conflict and political instability continue to affect millions of children and their families, including those at risk of security threats and protests. Moreover, a surge in COVID-19 cases further exacerbated existing vulnerabilities and impacted emergency response and recovery in the region. These conditions pose critical threats to children’s health, nutrition, education, protection and access to basic life-saving services, including water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), with profound impacts on the most vulnerable. An estimated 42.5 million children under 2 years of age in the region are not fed a diet diverse enough to grow well.

Furthermore, girls and boys, including those with disabilities, affected by disasters, conflict and migration, are exposed to heightened risks of physical and emotional violence, abuse and exploitation, including gender-based violence. Across the region, there are 19 million children living with disabilities,14 8 million child migrants,15 772,000 children in residential care, 16 24,000 children in detention, 17 and 25 million children in child labour, including hazardous labour. COVID-19 related school closures continue to disrupt access to education of 270 million children in the region.

Source: UN Children’s Fund