Pressure builds in Borneo camps

Some of the lucky evacuees reach safety in Surabaya

By Clive Myrie in Sampit

The evacuation of Madurese refugees is continuing from the port town of Sampit in Central Kalimantan, the scene of the worst violence involving Dayak gangs.

But there is growing concern that the evacuation of refugees is not proceeding fast enough.

The security forces have driven the Dayak gangs off the streets

The Indonesian Red Cross says around 4,800 people were evacuated by ship from Sampit on Tuesday.

Refugee numbers are continuing to swell as more and more Madurese men, women and children find their way to the refugee camps that have sprung up in the last few days.

The Indonesian military presence here has been considerably beefed up.

Living in fear

Vehicles going anywhere near the camps are rigorously searched.

The gangs of armed ethnic Dayak youths that we saw roaming the streets at will here two days ago have now disappeared.

Dayak children watch as Madurese property burns

A measure of law and order seems to have been achieved.

The refugee camps now play host to an estimated 30,000 people, according to one doctor we spoke to.

The conditions are terrible - sanitation is a major concern and there is a lack of fresh water.

Unless the ship evacuations pick up speed, things can only get worse.

Forest refuge

Madurese refugees are now beginning to leave their hiding places in the forest, making their way to the camps.

One man who spent two days on the run from Dayak gangs told us he and his family lived on roots and leaves and a small amount of water.

"We were living like animals," he said, "being hunted like animals by the Dayaks."

There were many, many more Madurese families still hiding out in the forest, he said.