Heavy Rains leave 300,000 homeless in Indonesia

Mercy Corps is working with USAID to distribute food to families in Jakarta, Indonesia made homeless by the worst floods the area has seen in more than a decade. (Photo: Mercy Corps)

Torrential monsoon rains have caused widespread flooding in Indonesia’s capital Jakarta this week, forcing more than 300,000 residents to flee their homes in search of shelter in mosques, churches and schools.

Reports say that floodwaters have reached up to six meters (20 feet) in several areas of the capital, leaving many homes without power and forcing local authorities to evacuate residents.

Mercy Corps and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) are assisting people displaced by the flooding.

USAID has thus far provided 39 tons of rice, wheat soy blend and oil. On Tuesday Mercy Corps distributed a three-day ration for 14,300 people in Prumpung, 480 people in Cengkareng Timur and 300 people in Kedaung kaliangke. On Wednesday Mercy Corps distributed a three-day ration to 4,500 people in Jelambar, 4,500 people in Kampung Pulo and 3,000 in Nurul Zahron.

USDA has also provided $10,000 for tarps, blankets, kerosene, cleaning tools and other items for flooded areas in West and East Jakarta. These goods are being procured today, with distribution planned to begin tomorrow. Mercy Corps is coordinating its efforts with those of the local government in Jakarta, the Indonesian Red Cross and Church World Service. Other international NGOs, local NGOs and businesses are contributing food, clothing and other goods needed by the victims of the flooding.

The heavy rains have destroyed thousands of acres of crops this year giving fear to lower than usual crop yields in a country that frequently experiences food shortages.

It has also been reported that 40 people have been killed by flooding and landslides throughout Indonesia which have been triggered by monsoon rains that forecasters predict will continue to inundate Jakarta until the middle of February.

The 216 million people living on the islands that make up the Indonesian archipelago frequently experience flooding during the nation’s wet season from October to April. This year’s flooding is the worst the country has seen in more than a decade.

Mercy Corps has had staff members in Jakarta since the Indonesian economic collapse in 1997-98. Through a USAID/Food For Peace-funded program, Mercy Corps programs focus on improving food security among vulnerable segments of the population, targeting the urban poor of Jakarta. Mercy Corps programs in Indonesia have also expanded to other parts of Java, as well as to Maluku and Sumatra.

During fiscal year 2001, Mercy Corps programs in Indonesia benefited approximately one million people.