Below is an update from Charles Ham, the country director of Hope Indonesia, an NGO that helps disaster victims. Hope has done a greatjob in Aceh for the Tsunami and in Yogjakarta for the esrthquake. Now, the house of many of its staff and its own clinic is underwater but they are still forging ahead to help.
Charles has provided a quick assessment of what is eeded to help the flood victims. As I write this the skies are cloudy, it has been raining lightly but it may pour at any moment, even as the flood waters have yet to receede.
Dear all,
Greetings from the water world of Jakarta.
Jakarta has been under water for the past two days. Many predict up to 40% of areas are flooded, in the city of over 10 million. Its surrounding satellite city of Tangerang and Bekasi is also experiencing the disaster. The water varies from 1 foot to 10 feet high in several areas as of the reports on February 3, 2007.
HOPE worldwide Indonesia’s clinic is also under water just like the houses of many of our staffs and volunteers. It is estimated that in a few hours more water are coming down from the mountains of West Java to the metropolitan areas. Many roads are flooded, while the remaining roads are experiencing super traffic. Many were stuck for 5 to 10 hours on the road.
In 1996 & 2002, the big flood also poured into the capital of Indonesia, and it took almost 1 months to decrease. HOPE worldwide Indonesia is trying to organize a disaster relief efforts. Below is our rapid assessment of the need:
- Rubber Boats for evacuation to safer areas. Trucks are not able to access many areas. – Food & Water supplies. A big rush has taken place since yesterday in groceries stores, while the distribution channel will be cut off for at least another week.
- Medical supplies & services. Skin problems, diarrhea, typhoid, cholera outbreak are possible. Not to mention the Dengue Fever has been rampant in the last few weeks in the city.
- Home Repairs. As water to be reduced, there will be a need for home repairing for many families.
As for my family, we are lucky enough this year as our house is not flooded like in 2002. However, we are watchful for the possibilities of water to raise.
HOPE worldwide Indonesia has kept a small amount of medicines, food, and water while we are inventorying our capacity to act as many our staff and volunteers are in need of relief as well. Flooding presents a different challenge compared to earthquake and other natural disasters. Many volunteers have been active in helping their families and friends, but not enough at this point. Please pray for the rain to stop and we can start providing help.
Regards,
Charles M. Ham
Country Director
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HOPE worldwide – Indonesia Gedung Putera Lt 7, Jl. Gunung Sahari 39 Jakarta 10720 – Indonesia Telp: 62-21-600-9091, Fax: 62-21-601-0570, Cell: 62-816-183-4574 Email: Charles_Ham@hopeww.org, Website: Http://id.hopeww.org
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Unspun 
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