Off to New Zealand today

I am flying out of Jakarta today,Wednesday 7 July for Christchurch, (pictured above) New Zealand and arrive the following day. I am looking forward to a break after completing a four year assignment in Indonesia. 

I have worked four years running the IFRC (Red Cross) Tsunami operation in Indonesia as well as the following.

• 2006 – Yogyakarta earthquake, Southern Aceh, North Sumatra and Riau floods, Avian Flu appeal, Mt. Merapi volcanic eruption, Sulawesi landslides and floods, West Java EQ and Tsunami, Nth Sumatra EQ,


• 2007– Jakarta floods, Benkulu earthquake, West Sumatra earthquake, Sumbawa Volcanic eruption, Mt. Kelud eruption, Mt. Gamkonara eruption, major Ferry accident

• 2008 - Central and East Java floods

• 2009– West Java earthquake, West Sumatra earthquake.

It's been a busy time

Christchurch is where I call home in New Zealand so it will be good to get back amongst friends, family, snow and mountains.

It has been quite emotional having a week of farewells, and reflecting on the work we have done in support of the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI). Last night I had a flick through some photos of our work here in Indonesia, and the one above is my favourite, as are some of the ones below.

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In the early days of the relief operation.

The communities the Red Cross built with houses, schools, water supplies, sanitation, livelihoods, community centres and clinics. It was a long haul, but we did it. 40,000 houses were built by the Red Cross in Aceh and Nias.Photo: Bob McKerrow

Two young girls I photographed in the village of Mate Ie.

The quality of the Red Cross houses was high. This is a house built by the German Red Cross in Calang. Photo: Bob McKerrow

So yesterday the Federation and PMI put on a farewell luncheon

Citra, Hesti and Lia, three of my best colleagues

Jusuf Kalla (l) and Amara Bains (r) join me for lunch. Jusuf Kalla is the former Vice President of indonesia and now the Chairman of the Indonesian Red Cross.

I plan to travel by train from Christchurch across the wintry Alps to the West Coast , via Arthur's Pass, pictured above, to visit family and enjoy the rugged landscape, the wine and food.
A view from my good friend's house, Robin (mad Dog) Judkin's , overlooking Sumner. I always pop into see Robin, his dogs and his latest paintings..Photo: Bob McKerrow

So much to reflect on, and so much to do on my holiday. I look forward with great anticipation to watching NZ play two rugby test against South Africa.

Thanks Indonesia for a memorable four years  !

Blood and floods - Indonesia

Sadly, we have floods again in Jakarta and late yesterday I visited thousands of homeless people sleeping in makeshift Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) camps, under bridges and on roadsides. The Indonesian Red Cross is out there helping with rescue, accommodation, food and clothing. It was a pleasure to accompany the recently elected Chairman of the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) Jusuf Kalla, and to see his commitment to strengthening the PMI nation-wide.



Families evacuated from flooded areas sheltering in an old warehouse in east Jakarta: Photo: Bob McKerrow

PMI volunteers from flood-affected areas of East Jakarta preparing food packages for distribution. Photo: Bob McKerrow

A mother and child who were rescued from the roof of a flooded house by young PMI volunteers (right) in an inflatable boat. Photo: Bob McKerrow



During the last 8 days I have travelled with Jusuf Kalla, new Chairman PMI, Pak Budi secretary general, and a number of board members and staff, to 8 provinces of Indonesia's 33 provinces, on four different islands. We visited Surabaya and Jakarta provinces on Java, Makassar, Mamuju and Kendari on Sulawesi, and Jambi and Riau on Sumatra and the Bangka and Belitung islands, off Sumatra.

Jusuf Kalla has a clear vision as Chairman PMI and that is one of expanding the quantity and quality of the PMI national blood programme and strengthening readiness for disaster response. Jusuf Kalla sees blood as a vital component of risk reduction.



Jusuf Kalla inspecting PMI blood bank in Pangkal Pinang. Photo: Bob McKerrow



He has set a target of 4 x 4 ? No it's not a Land cruiser, but it stands for reaching a target of having 4 million units of blood for four days at any one time, all the time, in Indonesia. Apart from servicing the growing day to day demand for blood, it will provide a huge buffer stock in times of emergencies, which asre frequent in this country which is a Supermarket of disasters.



Blood must be screened and tested with utmost accurancy. The Blood bank in Pangkal Pinang.



In this enormous island nation comprising 17,500 islands , and where it takes seven hours to fly from the eastern extremity to the remotest north western corner, the task ahead of the Chairman is daunting. During the past eight days in travelling with him, I have witnessed a strong compassionate man with a vision, a mission and an iron will to complete things quickly. Like Nelson Mandela, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and Sonia Gandhi, Jusuf Kalla has the walk about charisma. He loves people, he loves his country while keeping a global overview, and with his passion, contacts, networks and business acumen, he has the team to assist him to reshape the humanitarian landscape of Indonesia. Below I have posted a few photographs to illustrate some of the lighter moments of our trip in the past eight days.

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Young women greeted us in Bangka Belitung province by throwing flower petals over us and displaying traditional dance. Photo: Bob McKerrow

In Jambi we were welcomed by young dancers in traditional dress. Photo: Wayne Ulrich



On the trip to Sumatra, Jusuf Kalla travelled with his wife. To her surprise, someone produced a birthday cake and we celebrated her birthday. Photo: Bob McKerrow

One of Jusuf Kalla's great strengths is his ability to undertake arduous field trips to motivate Indonesian Red Cross volunteers and to share his vision. Photo: Bob McKerrow





The Mosque in Makassar.





The countryside in Sulawesi is green and fertile.



A small party on the plane for Ebu Jusuf Kalla's birthday. Photo: Bob McKerrow



With Jusuf Kalla, in the centre wearing a white shirt. The Ambulance behind, was donated by a local businessman in Pangkal Pinang.









I travelled with Pak Budi SG of the PMI (right) and Peder Damm from the Danish Red Cross (left) and on other trips, colleagues from the French and Canadian Red Cross joined us too.

Preparing for the floods in Jakarta in the coming weeks

It was an impressive day yesterday being with 1600 young Red Cross volunteers who were out on a disaster training day in Jakarta. With serious floods predicted for Jakarta in the coming month, the Indonesian Red Cross is in a high state of readiness. The new Chairman of PMI, Jusuf Kalla was there giving strong leadership and direction. Here are a few photos.



Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) tracked vehicles with rescue boats prepare for floods that can be expected in Jakarta in the next two months.

The PMI have highly trained helicopter rescue teams and a fleet of five helicopters.





The new Chairman of PMI, Jusuf Kalla





Bob (blue shirt) talking to young PMI volunteers at yesterday's practice.







Time for a snack and a bit of reflection.



Another rescue team resting.



The new secretary general of PMI, Budi Atmadi Adiputro (left) and myself. I look forward to working with Pak Budi. who has worked in disaster preparedness and response a long time.

One of eleven PMI water purification units. In times of flooding, clean water is essential for maintaining the health of affected people. At a Government disaster simulation ten days ago, with the President of Indonesia.

Meeting with SBY, the President of Indonesia today.

Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, or SBY, President of Indonesia (left) Wayne Ulrich (centre) and myself (right) discussing disaster response in Indonesia. After our meeting, the President announced he is sending a rescue and relief team to Haiti, along with relief supplies, to support the earthquake victims.Photo: Ahmad Husein


After being totally immersed in disaster response and recovery for the last three and a half years in Indonesia, it was such a joy today to spend half a day participating in a high level disaster simulation exercise at Halim airbase in Jakarta. Police, Army, Airforce, key Government disaster agencies, rescue services, Indonesian Red Cross, private communication companies and many others, were there to practice disaster response, rescue and health services.
I always enjoy spending time with the volunteers that are the backbone of Red Cross. I was a volunteer in New Zealand with the Red Cross, and find my motivation is rekindled after spending time with them. From a practical point of view, training days like this ramp up your coordination and delivery skills.

But while the simulation exercise was going on, I couldn't help but think of the hundreds of thousands of Haitians who are awaiting the start of a global rescue effort in the wake of the country's devastating earthquake.
On the BBC this morning, the correspondents say the situation is increasingly desperate, with no coordinated rescue plan so far and aid only trickling in.

The search for survivors continues but rescuers have little lifting equipment and are often using their bare hands.

Tens of thousands are feared dead and up to three million affected. How lucky Indonesia is to have a President who ran a highly successful Tsunami operation and is be preparing for the next big disaster. Preparedness, training and testing your systems regularly is the key to improved disaster response. My thoughts and prayers are going out to all those affected and grieving families. I had the opportunity today to spend 3 or 4 minutes chatting with the President of indonesia today and he thanked the Red Cross for its efforts in the past and hoped we would continue to support the PMI and Government in terms of response preparedness. He also announced later that Indonesia was sending a rescue and relief team to Haiti, along with relief supplies, to support the earthquake victims.

The airforce performed some stunning rescues, Photo: Ahmad Husein
Wayne Ulrich (l) and myself with PMI water and sanitation volunteers
. We worked with them 3 months ago in the West Sumatra earthquake where they were providing half a million litres of quality drinking water daily. A great team. Two new PMI amphibious vehicles that the PMI had on display.
Three days ago the Indonesian Red Cross Chairman, Jusuf Kalla, donated two helicopters to the PMI. This is brilliant as in a country where you have a disaster a day, helicopters give you immediate access and you can save so many lives. Photo: Ahmad Husein