Indonesia: Severe Floods Cripple Jakarta; WV Distributes Aid
“Floods inundate so many places,” Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo said Thursday morning. He cited Rawa Buaya, Kampung Pulo, Kampung Melayu, Bukit Duri, Tebet, Bidara Cina, Rawa Jati, Pasar Minggu and Cengkareng as among the worst-affected areas.
Neighboring city of Bekasi and Tangerang, at the east and west of Jakarta, have also been flooded.
Mr Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi and has only been installed as the Jakarta governor less than 100 days ago, has instructed his officials to provide support to thousands of people forced to abandon their houses.
Reports said two persons in western Jakarta have been killed by the floods and some 10,000 people have been displaced and temporarily stayed at safer public places or fields.
The traffic in and around Jakarta was in standstill on Thursday. So many people failed to reach their offices as they were trapped in the floods. The Jakarta’s main thoroughfares, such as the Thamrin highway and the Hotel Indonesia roundabout were flooded up to 50 centimeters. Some main train stations, such as Tanah Abang and Manggarai, were also flooded, failing train service to reach the stations.
“I have been stuck here for four hours,” said Hendi Julius, coordinator of World Vision’s programs in Jakarta. He was trapped at the toll road on the way to his office in Cawang in East Jakarta.
Billy Sumuan, World Vision Indonesia’s HEA Director, was also forced to get back to his house after being stuck at the traffic for hours. “The traffic was very bad… I could not get through to the office.”
Billy and Hendi explained that World Vision has started distributing emergency aid to the flood victims in Jatinegara and Cawang areas yesterday and would continue distributing more aid later today.
“We focus our support to the impacted community in our Area Development Programs,” Billy said.
Hendi explained some 1000 packages consisting of mattress and blankets were distributed in seven spots in Jatinegara and Cawang yesterday where displaced people taking temporary refuge. “We plan to distribute some 1000 packages of children kits today at the same places.”
World Vision, Billy added, would likely distribute hygiene kits soon to help the victims to clean their houses and their environment when the floods subside.
World Vision did not plan to distribute food aid as the Jakarta government, the Red Cross and scores of community groups have initiated such support. Jusuf Kalla, chairman of the Red Cross, said the organization was about to distribute 15,000 food packages to help the displaced people.
Jakarta also suffered from severe flooding in the year 2002 and 2007.
For further information, please contact:
Alfred Anakotta/ Regional Humanitarian Emergency Affairs Officer, Java and Nias Region , World Vision Indonesia
John Nelwan / Marketing PR Manager, World Vision Indonesia
About World Vision
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to create positive changes for children, families and communities living in poverty and injustice. As a humanitarian organization, we serve all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. World Vision's humanitarian work in Indonesia is only possible through cooperation with the Ministry of Social Affairs and partnerships with its local partner, Wahana Visi, that has been going on for 52 years. Our work covers 800 villages stretched from Aceh to Papua with more than 90,000 children supported through our programs. "Our vision for every child, life in all its fullness; our prayer for every heart, the will to make it so."