Internally Displaced Persons

The conflict in Maluku has caused massive internal displacement – some people have fled out of fear, others because their homes and villages have been burnt to the ground. As of December 2000, over five thousand people had been killed in the Maluku conflict, and 500,000 displaced – roughly a quarter of the overall population. There have been no major clashes since mid-2000 in North Maluku, however, there is still great distrust among the population and many are unwilling to return to their homes. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 166,000 people, primarily Muslims from the island of Halmahera, remain internally displaced in North Maluku. In the province of Maluku, however, the situation remains tense, particularly in Ambon, Buru, and Seram islands. There are more than 460,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Maluku, mostly from Ambon, who are sheltered in IDP camps, public buildings, or with local populations. Many have fled to North Maluku and Sulawesi. Many Muslims have relocated to Buton Island, off the southeast coast of Sulawesi. At present, their basic needs of food security, shelter, and basic health, are being met by international and local humanitarian organizations.
International outcry from Western leaders and the United Nations has inspired a coordinated campaign of humanitarian assistance by the World Health Organization, the World Food Program, the United Nations Development Program, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. The ICRC, Medicins Sans Frontieres and World Vision are also involved in Maluku. However, distribution of aid has proven difficult, due to roadblocks and security concerns. Government attempts to return people to their homes have been perfunctory and have not addressed the root of the problem. More often than not the displaced persons have had no choice but to resettle. The government recognizes the displacement problem in the Moluccas and has generally cooperated with NGOs.

Health

The conflicts in the Maluku islands have caused considerable destruction of infrastructure and widespread disruption of services. Due to the conflicts in North Maluku, it is estimated that 50% of hospital medical staff has fled, leaving hospitals understaffed. NGOs throughout the Malukus, and particularly in Ambon, have been active in providing sanitation and water services, supplying emergency drugs and equipment and providing major health services where there are no doctors available.

Education

The conflict has also greatly disrupted the educational system in the Moluccas, particularly among the displaced children. Students in Ambon have been forced to discontinue their studies because of the violence. On Buton Island, Save the Children reports that 24 percent of displaced children are not attending school and their dropout rate is 47 percent. Those who are attending school have placed a burden on the educational systems of the communities in which they are located.