ACT Alert-Update 1/07
Indonesia-Jakarta: Floods
Alert-Update from the ACT Forum in Indonesia, 4th February, 2007
Current Situation
The floods which hit various areas in Jakarta on 1 February 2007 were triggered by torrential rain from 31 January. Updated information from the National Coordination Board for Disaster Management and Internally Displaced People, Bakornas (3 February, 20:00 hrs), shows that the total number of IDPs is 189,665 persons/73,187 HH (Jakarta: 138,453 IDPs/61,134 HH; Bekasi 36,212 IDPs; Tangerang: 15,000 IDPs). Seven persons have reportedly died (four in Jakarta, one in Tangerang, and two in Bekasi). The estimated number of inundated houses: East Jakarta: 21,000, Bekasi: 9,000, West Jakarta: 7,500, Tangerang: 3,000, South Jakarta: 3,400, Central Jakarta: 1,000 and North Jakarta: 25,600.
The floods also caused a disruption of public facilities and transportation. Since several train tracks are inundated, many trains are not operating, many telecommunication facilities are down and most parts of Jakarta are experiencing power problems, since transmission points are under water. SATKORLAK (Provincial Body for Disaster Management and Internally Displaced People) in cooperation with related departments and offices (such as the Department of Health, Public Works, Social Affairs, PMI, Search and Rescue) continue evacuating affected people, providing basic supplies, emergency shelters, health clinics, mobile latrines and public kitchens.
A crucial decision will be the closing or opening of a key floodgate in East Jakarta, named Manggarai, which is at overflowing point, since water levels are far higher than the normal levels. When the gate would be opened, more parts of Jakarta will be inundated.
During a Bakornas meeting on 4 February 2007, the World Health Organization (WHO) mentioned that they in coordination with the Ministry of Health deployed mobile health units in 16 locations, equipped with water purification units. Furthermore, WHO recommended that hygiene kits and medicines need to be distributed to Internally Displaced People (IDPs). According to national television the relief items which are most needed in priority order are: cooked meals, drink water, evacuation, shelter, blankets, mats, clean water and sanitation facilities.
ACT Forum Response
CWS/ACT attended the meeting of Bakornas, on 4 February 2007, which was held with the international community to discuss coordination of the emergency response and update on the latest available information.
The three ACT Forum Indonesia members CWS, Yakkum Emergency Unit (YEU) and Yayasan Tanggul Bencana Indonesia (YTBI) are in continuous coordination with each other since the initial response.
On 4 February 2007 CWS distributed mineral water to 280 households in Cipinang (East Jakarta), which is CWS' coverage area.
Besides this, CWS will support public kitchens as well as coordination posts (posko)/ IDP camps of YTBI in Matraman (Central Jakarta) and Jatinegara (East Jakarta) by distributing tents and blankets. Medical assistance (first aid kits) will be delivered to Cipinang and preparation for hygiene kits is ongoing.
Meanwhile an assessment team of YEU, bringing medicines with the team, will join with YTBI's team for mobile clinic activities. YEU is currently also exploring the possibilities of providing water filters.
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ACT is a global alliance of churches and related agencies working to save lives and support communities in emergencies worldwide.
The ACT Coordinating Office is based with the World Council of Churches (WCC) and The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in Switzerland.
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
