Baltimore, MD, Feb. 5, 2006 - Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is providing emergency assistance to flood victims in Jakarta after days of incessant rain swamped the Indonesian capital and forced more than 180,000 people from their homes.

Chest-high floodwaters closed thousands of schools and businesses and stranded many families on the second floors and rooftops of their homes. Other residents who sought dry ground are camped out in tents on city streets. Electricity and telephone lines are down in affected areas, and in most flooded neighborhoods transportation is only possible by boat.

CRS, in partnership with the Archdiocese of Jakarta, is already providing affected families with critical household supplies, such as food, tarps, blankets, clothing, soap, and pots and pans. Ultimately these relief efforts will support 6,000 flood victims.

"Everybody assumed the floodwaters would recede, and what happened over the course of the weekend was exactly the opposite," said Rich Balmadier, CRS Country Representative for Indonesia. "More rain fell, and flood waters increased."

Flash floods are typical during the rainy season, but this is the worst flooding Jakarta has suffered in five years. With more rain forecast for the next two weeks, there is concern the number of affected residents could increase.

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Catholic Relief Services (www.crs.org) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. The agency provides assistance to people in 99 countries and territories based on need, regardless of race, nationality or creed.

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