ReliefWeb, 08 Feb 2007
Update on Flooding in Jakarta, Indonesia - 08 Feb 2007
Source: Church World Service (CWS)
The floods that affected large parts of Jakarta last week have started to recede,
although many parts of the city remained under heavily polluted water, especially in
low-lying areas close to rivers, which hampered clean-up efforts.
Authorities have continuously warned residents that heavy rains could cause new
floods and that people should stay alert. The Meteorology and Geophysics Agency
(BMG) informed that heavy rains will continue over the next few days, but that rainfall
will continue until the end of February 2007 in the areas of
Jakarta-Bogor-Depok-Tangerang-Bekasi. Landslides are possible in some areas due
to the heavy rains.
The Ministry of Health (MoH) held a Health Sector Coordination Meeting on February
7, in cooperation with the World Health Organization (WHO) and attended by Church
World Service. The MoH affirmed that the water level in five of 14 sluice gates (Angke
Hulu, Sunter Selatan, Sunter Utara, Karet and Pulogadung) had reached alert level 1;
water gates were released, causing more floods in other parts of the cities. According
to UNOCHA, the latest status of the 14 sluices gates in Jakarta and surrounding
areas are between level 4 - 3 (February 8), which means water levels are at a normal
to low possibility of overflow.
The Ministry of Health noted that the four major outbreaks which could be anticipated
are: diarrhea, ARI (acute respiratory infection), typhoid, and leptospirosis. Another
concern is that incidences of avian flu may increase in this current situation. The MoH
stated that the number of IDPs in Jakarta has reached 470,000 people (February 7,
noon), and that the death toll as a consequence of the floods is at 50 people.
Church World Service and ACT Forum Response
In response to the Jakarta floods, Church World Service has distributed mineral water
and instant noodles to approximately 125 households (500 persons) at Cipinang
Besar Utara. Tents and blankets have also been distributed by CWS to approximately
250 families in Koinonia Church, Jatinegara, in partnership with Yayasan Tanggul
Bencana Indonesia (YTBI), which had set up a public kitchen in the IDP post in
Koinonia church, operated by students of Theology College / Sekolah Tinggi Teologia
(STT) and YTBI. In addition, 50 families living in the vicinity of the CWS office have
received mineral water and blankets. CWS is planning to assist a further 5,596 flood
affected households with drinking water, food (instant noodles) and non food items
(hygiene kits, blankets, mattresses, mosquito nets, debris and mud cleaning tools),
first aid medical assistance, water storage (jerry cans and buckets), and disaster
preparedness activities to enhance peoples awareness.
In partnership with Yakkum Emergency Unit (YEU), medical assistance has also
been provided for 100 people per day in Cipinang Besar Utara. The IDPs (under fives,
children and youth up to 6-16 years old and adults) who received treatment
complained about coughing, diarrhea, common cold/influenza, fever, gastritis, allergic
symptoms, allergic skin diseases, athletes foot, asthma, and headaches.
YEU has furthermore started medical services in the following focussed areas where
YTBI works:
- Koinonia Church, Jatinegara, East Jakarta
- Kelurahan Manggarai
- Cileduk, Banten
- Cengkareng, Jakarta Barat
- GOR, Marunda, Kelapa Gading, Tanjung Priiuk, North Jakarta
- GKP Cawang, East Jakarta
- Pulo Gebang, Bekasi
Four command posts were served by YTBI, where Pelkesi provided health service in
Koinonia Church; the other 3 posts were served by YEUs team. On Wednesday,
February 7, YEUs health team served the area of GKI (Indonesian Church) in
Tangerang. Besides this, YEU will collaborate with DMGF Canada to install 2 units of
water filter providing clean water for affected people in those areas over the weekend
to prevent an outbreak of water born diseases. YEU is planning to operate its
humanitarian response for two to three weeks, depending on the needs and resources
available.
YTBI conducted a needs assessment during the first two days together with their
local implementing partners CCI Jakarta, CCI Banten and STT Jakarta. Based on this
YTBIs emergency response consisted of the following:
- Distribution of food items: rice (including ready to consume rice and side dishes,
instant noodles, drinking water, frying oil, coffee, tea, bread, eggs, baby food and
vegetables
- Distribution of non-food items: tents (CWS donated 2 tents), baby clothes, adult
clothes and underwear, health kits, baby kits, medicines, blankets (CWS donated
100 blankets) and mattresses.
- Psycho-social activities for children: puppet shows.
- Evacuation: using two rubber boats.
- Health services: YEU sent 1 ambulance, 2 medical doctors, and nurses.
Action by Churches Together is a global alliance of churches and related agencies
working to save lives and support communities in emergencies worldwide. Church
World Service is a member of the ACT coalition.
Media Contacts:
Lesley Crosson, CWS/New York, 212-870-2676; lcrosson@churchworldservice.org
Jan Dragin (24/7), 781-925-1526; jdragin@gis.net
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