As Jakarta Flooding Worsens; Uncertainty Looms
Pastor Dale Morgan
As Jakarta Flooding Worsens; Uncertainty Looms*
06 Feb 2007 16:43:00 GMT
Source: World Vision International
Andrea Russell, Regional Relief and Crisis Communications Manager
On February 6, five days after the worst flooding in Jakarta's modern
history, over half of the Indonesian capital remained under water. Heavy
rain at the early hours of Tuesday morning triggered another wave of
flooding in the places, which have been receding the day before. Between
300,000 and 325,000 people -- many of them from the lowest economic
strata -- remained stranded at various temporary shelters across the
five Jakarta municipalities.
An uncertain future looms large among many of the hardest hit victims
international aid and development agency World Vision is providing
relief assistance to, as they question when they can return to their
homes. Some of them have completely lost their houses, which were swept
away by raging waters pounding the riverbanks.
"I actually plan to take my family back home today because the flood
waters had been significantly receding yesterday," a resident in Cawang,
East Jakarta, said Tuesday. "But the heavy downpour has forced us to
cancel the plan. The flooding has jumped to about one meter high in my
home."
World Vision Indonesia National Director Trihadi Saptoadi also expressed
similar concerns. "Uncertainties are indeed our main problems," Trihadi
said Tuesday. "The flooding could turn even worse or to dry up in the
coming days. Nobody has the answer."
As reported earlier, the Meteorology and Geophysics Office predicted
heavy rains would continue pounding Jakarta and its greater areas up to
the next two weeks. Scores of Chinese people also believe that heavy
rains would continue until the Chinese New Year on February 18.
Trihadi, following his visit to flooded areas in East Jakarta, noted
that hygiene and sanitation in established temporary shelters were very
poor, among other reasons due to the lack of clean water supplies. "The
flood victims, particularly children, are very prone to flood-related
illnesses."
Reports have started surfacing of increasing numbers of children
suffering from dehydration, diarrhea, cold and skin irritation. Health
officers in Tangerang, west of Jakarta, for example, has initiated the
distribution of hundreds of kilograms of abate and chlorine to kill
germs in the water containers in flooded areas to prevent leptospirosis
and other related illnesses.
Charles Sinaga, World Vision's Jakarta programme coordinator said today,
that if the floods do not subside soon, many children might indeed
suffer from serious illnessess. He continued, "Many children sleep on
the floor with very thin plastic sheets and a number could not take a
bath or clean themselves due to limited water supplies. Many of them
also have no proper clothing."
World Vision, therefore, started distributing children clothes on
Tuesday to help protect the children from getting sick. "We also want to
distribute more proper mattresses. But, most suppliers have run out of
stocks right now. We will continue trying to get them soon, " Charles said.
World Vision relief teams have continued to distribute food, non-food
and common medicines to thousands of families in project areas in East
Jakarta and North Jakarta on February 6. The distribution was part of
the second batch of relief aid worth over US$190,000 that World Vision
is distributing this week. The aid would support a total of more than
7,300 families (around 25,000 people). In the first batch, over the
weekend, World Vision distributed US$45,000 worth food and non-food
relief goods to 3,000 families (over 10,000 people). World Vision plans
to have a total of US$350,000 program to help the flood victims.
Hanung Sutaryadi, one of the field coordinators, remained upbeat
although he was exhausted from long hours of work distributing the
relief goods. "It's a bit frustrating sometimes. But, we are grateful
that the victims have been very cooperative. They join hands to unload
the goods and to help organize the distribution."
"We are touched as some of the victims expressed their sincere gratitude
as they receive the relief aid," Hanung said.
The government made a rough estimate that the floods caused some 4.1
trillions of rupiah (almost USD 500 million) loss. Most business
activities in Jakarta have been suspended since Friday. Reports said at
least 36 people in Greater Jakarta have lost their lives in this disaster.