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Current Situation

Several days of torrential rain in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta caused rivers to overflow and burst their banks leaving more than 40 dead (according to the Indonesian Health Bureau) and 168,000 internally displaced people (IDP) residing in 525 evacuation sites.

The water in Jakarta is now stating to subside and the weather conditions have slightly improved. As a result, some people have started returning to their houses to clean and mop up the remnants of the flood waters. However, some parts of East and North Jakarta still remain under water. In some areas, flood waters have risen to over 13 feet in height.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported cases of tropical fever, respiratory infection, diarrhea, gastritis, leptospirosis, tetanus and fungus.

Some roads remain flooded, interrupting transportation in the west of Jakarta.

Up to 520 elementary schools have been affected and 120,000 communication lines damaged. Electricity is still turned off in some areas of Jakarta, especially those which witnessed the heaviest flooding to avoid further electricity shocks which caused the majority of fatalities. The areas hit particularly hard by the flood are east, west and central parts of Jakarta (see map above).

The government has deployed to its full capacity to respond to the flooding and to ensure the evacuation of thousands of families trapped in their homes.

Islamic Relief's Action

Islamic Relief's Indonesia office has deployed its staff to conduct an initial needs assessment in east and west Jakarta. Islamic Relief has already allocated funding for an emergency response.

Islamic Relief has been designated the responsibility of assisting those living in Klender village in the Duren Sawit sub-district of east Jakarta. Islamic Relief will focus its emergency activities in three sectors:
1. Distribution of food and non-food items such as blankets, hygiene kits, cooking utensils, rice, cooking oil, noodles, baby food, and more.
2. Health intervention to ensure safe return of displaced to their homes. IDPs will be given garbage bags, mops, brooms, disinfectants, gloves, masks, and more.
3. Community mobilization initiative that would assist in environmental/residential clean-up and the initiation of discussion forums on early warning systems and disaster alleviation.