May 10, 2007

Heavy rain since last week has inundated at least 3,600 houses and forced 14,400 people from 10 sub-districts in the Indonesian province of central Sulawesi to leave their homes.

The areas most heavily affected are along the banks of the Palu River. The situation worsened in recent days when a 150-meter dam located in the northern part of the area was destroyed. Rains are continuing and those affected remain in temporary tents/shelters which have been erected by local authorities. Authorities have also provided food.

RESPONSE: Current needs for those affected include blankets, mats, food items and drinking water. In collaboration with long-time partner Persatuan Keluarga Berencana Indonesia ( PKBI - Palu), Church World Service has conducted assessments this week. As part of an initial response, CWS will distribute 500 blankets and 2,500 bottles of mineral water to 500 households in the most affected areas -- Talise (Palu Selatan), Kolaka (Palu Barat) and Maesa (Palu Utara) -- where water is now 10 feet above normal levels.

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