March 16, 2007

The worst flooding in at least a generation hit the Indonesian capital of Jakarta in February 2007, killing at least 94 people. Overall, swiftly rising waters affected 280,000 in the region, forcing at least 60,000 from their homes.

An estimated 140 million people live below the poverty level in Indonesia, a condition exacerbated by flooding. The cheapest land and shelter available to indigent populations in the region is often low-lying, or near a stream or tributary that can easily flood. Rising costs of fuel and other goods have launched an inflation boom of 18 percent (by last available measure) in Indonesia, matched by a rising poverty rate.

Floods are common in and around Jakarta but the February crisis damaged nearly three-quarters of the capital city. Rising waters have crippled infrastructure while apparent price gouging is adding to the cost of cleanup.

CWS RESPONSE: In concert with Action by Churches Together (ACT) members Yakkum Emergency Unit (YEU) and Yayasan Tanggul Bencana Indonesia (YBTI), and Church World Service received a $50,000 rapid response grant from ACT to provide immediate assistance to affected families following the February storm.

CWS has so far provided assistance in the area of Cipinang, helping affected people (including the children in the CWS street children program, their families and the community) in the form of medical assistance (first aid and provision of medical supplies), mineral water, instant noodles, hygiene kits and emergency lamps. CWS is providing first aid for those who are sick and whose access to assistance is limited. Many women and children are suffering from high fever, diarrhea and acute respiratory infections as a result of contact with polluted floodwaters.

Media Contacts: Lesley Crosson, CWS/New York, 212-870-2676; lcrosson@churchworldservice.org Jan Dragin (24/7), 781-925-1526; jdragin@gis.net