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Jakarta Floods Update

February 7, 2007

 

 

New information has been highlighted in red

 

Overview

 

Flood waters in many parts of the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, have reportedly begun to recede on Wednesday (February 7), and many residents have returned to their homes to begin the massive clean up at their homes and streets, which are caked with mud and littered with debris.  The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says that due to developments in the situation, a United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team will not be sent to Jakarta because it is not required.  Officials say that many roads that had been impassable were now reopened.  However, electricity to most of the city remained cut off.  OCHA says that the state electricity company will restore power in one week.  Although thousands are slowly returning home, Indonesia's Health Ministry says that some 260,000 people were still displaced and staying in temporary shelters across the city.  At the height of the floods, some 340,000 people had reportedly been displaced. The floods were described as the worst floods since 2002 when floods left some 40 people dead. The death toll from the flooding has risen to at least 50, with most of the deaths resulting from drownings or electrocutions, according to officials. Indonesia's meteorology office said that no substantial rains had fallen on the city since mid-Tuesday (February 6), but Jakarta governor Sutiyoso said that residents should remain cautious.  Officials have warned that more heavy rain over Jakarta and the hills to its south could trigger renewed floods, and other officials warn that more floods were possible because river levels were still high.  The flooding was triggered after seasonal rains burst river banks throughout the city of some 12 million last Thursday (February 1) and its surrounding towns. Eastern areas of Jakarta were reportedly the worst affected. Indonesia's Health Ministry's crisis center says that so far there have been no reports of serious diseases.  However, officials continue to warn about the risk of diseases such as cholera, dengue, typhoid, diarrhea and leptospirosis. The city was already dealing with a rise in dengue cases before the floods. The ministry says that the crisis center will fog and spray disinfectant in some areas of the city.  According to OCHA, following a coordination meeting at the Ministry of Health Wednesday (February 7), and after a request by the government, UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO) will support a measles vaccination campaign for displaced people beginning on February 13.  The Government of Indonesia (GOI) has also requested WFP to provide targeted food assistance. The GOI has mobilized more than 40,000 soldiers, police and volunteers to help evacuate people and deliver relief to victims of the flooding. Additionally, according to OCHA, the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) has deployed seven specialized rapid response teams (SATGANA) and some 470 volunteers to affected areas.  Many blame the annual floods on Jakarta’s poor drainage system and the government is facing criticism that it did not do enough to prepare for this disaster. Officials say that blocked drains had prevented waters from running off. Indonesia’s National Coordinating Board for the Management of Disaster (BAKORNAS PB) says that 38 out of 43 sub-districts in Jakarta Province were affected by the floods, while 11 sub-districts in Bekasi district, West Java and seven in Tangerang District in Banten Province have been affected. Paskah Suzzeta, the country's planning minister, said that the flooding is estimated to have cost the country some US$452 million.  However, Indonesia's chief economics minister Boediono said that he did not see a long-term impact from the floods.  The Indonesian government has so far not made a formal request for international assistance, however, foreign countries have responded with monetary and in-kind assistance. 

Background

 

Seasonal rains cause dozens of landslides and flash floods across the country each year.  Flooding is an annual problem in Jakarta, particularly during the peak of the rainy season.  The city is vulnerable to flooding because of a poor drainage system and because much of the city is located at or below sea level.  Environmentalists and critics blame the annual floods on clogged storm drains and rivers, poor urban planning and deforestation on the hillsides south of Jakarta. According to the official Antara news agency, flooding in the city is often sparked by heavy rains in the upper areas, such as Depok and Bogor, and water then flows to the rest of the city through the Ciliwung River.  Indonesia's present monsoon season runs from around November to March. Some 40 people were killed and some 300,000 forced to evacuate in the last major floods to hit Jakarta in 2002. In December, floods and landslides triggered by monsoons rains in Aceh and North Sumatra provinces on Sumatra Island, left at least 124 people dead.  Another 170 other people are missing and feared dead, and more than 300,000 people were displaced. 

 

Assessment

 

There has been no immediate formal request for international help by the Government of Indonesia (GOI) or emergency appeal for funds by the United Nations, often indicative of a need for a broader international response.

 

Despite high levels of displacement and increasing concerns of a secondary wave of disease, it is presently considered unlikely that there will be a request for DOD assistance – particularly given the optics and profile of the disaster in the country’s capital city.

 

In line with best practice during natural disasters, local purchase of required relief supplies through NGO partners is preferred. There is generally an abundance of material availably in-country further limiting the need for a US government airlift.

 

One notable exception could be a local request for support within the capabilities of Indonesia-based NAMRU-2. The Ministry of Health is convening a health sector coordination meeting Wednesday (Feb 7) in Jakarta to discuss potential post-flood disease outbreaks.

 

Should extreme rainfall continue for an extended period of time and cause further displacement and more extensive infrastructure damage, it is possible that the GOI might request international assistance. However, it is expected that even under this scenario the international response would be primarily civilian and take the form of financial donations and technical assistance.

 

Domestic Response

 

SATLAK PB, relevant government departments and communities continue to participate in evacuations. (Feb-06, OCHA) SATLAK PB has distributed food and non-food items across Jakarta. Reportedly, coverage of assistance has reached 80% in Central Jakarta, 40% in South Jakarta and 50% respectively in East, West and North Jakarta. (Feb-05, OCHA)

 

Indonesian military (TNI) mobilized 1,123 personnel, transportation fleet, 22 platoon tents, 22 boat engines and 7 units of diving equipment. Established two field kitchens. Distributed two trucks of food items to Bendungan Hilir area in central Jakarta. (Feb-06, OCHA)

 

Police have deployed 200 personnel with nine rubber boats for evacuations.

 

People’s Representative Council (DPR) distributed food, water and blankets to Petaburan area, central Jakarta. (Feb-06, OCHA)

 

BAKORNAS PB, in coordination with military area command (KODAM) of Great Jakarta (JAYA), is transporting 50 tons of rice. SATKORLAK PB DKI planning to distribute the rice to five Jakarta areas. (Feb-06, OCHA)

 

Navy in Surabaya offered helicopters now on standby in Pondok Cabe area. (Feb-06, OCHA)

 

Search and Rescue Team (SAR) in Jakarta has sent two teams to Karawand and Manggarai to evacuate affected communities. (Feb-06, OCHA)

 

Social Affairs Department has mobilized 110 personnel to help in the evacuation, establish public kitchens, and distribute 2,000 packages of ready-to-eat food to North and East Jakarta. 1,000 blankets and 1,000 sarongs have also been distributed to each of the five areas in Jakarta. (Feb-06, OCHA)

 

SATLAK PB Bekasi City has distributed 60 boxes of instant noodles, 10 boxes of canned fish, blankets and sarongs. (Feb-06, OCHA)

 

Ministry of Health and local health offices anticipate possible post-flood waterborne diseases. (Feb-06, OCHA) The Ministry met with donors, NGOs and UN agencies to a health sector coordination meeting on 7 February 2007.

 

Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) has deployed rapid response teams, known as SATGANA, and around 470 volunteers to affected areas with 12 rubber boats. Local Red Cross chapters providing meals to 35,000 people per day – targeting up to 9,500 families with supplementary food packets and hygiene items. International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) transferred 2,500 hygiene kits from Yogyakarta to Jakarta. (Feb-06, IFRC) A drinking water distribution operation is also planned as well as the mobilization of five medical action teams. (Feb-07, OCHA)

 

In anticipation of possible future floods, local media reports that the provincial government of Jakarta is preparing six large evacuation POSKOs (temporary coordination posts) in Parkir Timur Senayan - Central Jakarta; Tebet Sub-district Office and Police Advance Academy in South Jakarta; Gen. Urip Square in East Jakarta; Cilincing Sub-district Office in North Jakarta and Daan Mogot Baru Square in West Jakarta. POSKOs will be complemented with emergency tents, public kitchens and health posts. (Feb-07, OCHA)

 

International Response

 

To date, no formal request for international assistance has been issued by the government, however, the GOI has asked UNICEF, WHO and WFP for targeted assistance.

 

United Nations

 

UNICEF, WHO and FAO attended a coordination meeting at the Ministry of Health on February 7. As a response to a formal government request, UNICEF plans to launch an immunization campaign to protect affected children against polio and measles, and provide vitamin A supplements. UNICEF also expecting a formal request from the Public Works Department on the needs of water bladders and purification tablets. (Feb-06,07, OCHA, UNICEF)

 

In response to the Deputy Minister of Social Welfare’s formal request for food assistance, WFP will provide 3.42 metric tons of noodles and biscuits for Tangerang area through MENKOKESRA (Coordinating Ministry for People’s Welfare). The Government has requested possible assistance for two other locations – Bekasi and Cempaka Putih – and has, as of 7 February, dispatched 47 trucks across Jakarta for food delivery. (Feb-07, OCHA)

 

NGOs/IOs

 

Adventist Development Relief Agency (ADRA) has dispatched emergency response teams, and began distributing food to 4,500 people in Kapuk section and Kampung Melayu section of Jakarta. Aid includes shelter and household items, as well as a medical team in coming days. (Feb-06, ADRA)

 

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in partnership with Archdiocese of Jakarta providing emergency shelter, food, and NFIs to 6,000 people. (Feb-05, CRS)

 

CARE distributing food and water purification solution to more than 15,000 affected people in Tangerang, Jakarta. Providing health education and food distributions to up to 10,000 people. (Feb-05, CARE)

 

Christian Children’s Funds through its local NGO partners has distributed basic supplies. (Feb-05, OCHA)

 

Church World Service through its local NGO partner has distributed non-food items and drinking water to 300 families in Cipinang (Feb-05, OCHA)

 

International Medical Corps (IMC) working with local partner, Ambulan 118, to assess status of local clinics – coordinating comprehensive response, including use of three mobile medical units and one ambulance. (Feb-05, IMC)

 

Islamic Relief planning to distribute blankets, basic food items, hygiene kits and cleaning kits to 1,000 people in Cipinang Melayu, East Jakarta. Distribution scheduled from 7 to 10 February. (Feb-07, OCHA)

 

Mercy Corps sent emergency hygiene supplies to 6,000 affected individuals – plans to distribute more kits to another 1,000 people on February 7. Assisted four public kitchens in South and Central Jakarta. Plans to expand response to include NFIs, food, water and other items. (Feb-06, Mercy Corps) More assessments undertaken on February 7 for further response. (Feb-07, OCHA)

 

Plan released emergency funds to provide hygiene kits and baby food for 2,900 people, mostly children. Sent emergency rapid needs assessment teams to several areas across Jakarta. (Feb-06, Plan)

 

Save the Children UK has also distributed 20 hygiene kits, 434 household kits, 3,000 tarpaulins, 1,600 shelter tool kits and 60 classroom tents. (Feb-05, OCHA) Supporting partner organizations, Yayasan Aulia and Yayasan Sanggar Anak Akar, by providing food, rice, water and vegetable oil to be distributed over two days in East Jakarta. (Feb-06, Save the Children)

 

Singapore Red Cross offered 50,000 Singapore dollars (US$33,000) to Indonesian Red Cross (PMI). (Feb-07, SRC)

 

Trocaire pledged 50,000 euro (US$65,00) in funding to local partner Karina to distribute medicine, food, water and NFIs. (Feb-06, Troicaire)

 

Taiwan Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation sent volunteers that distributed food and water to more than 5,000 people in East, West and North Jakarta. Food also provided to public kitchens. Tzu Chi Indonesia plans to set up medical team in Kapuk Village. (Feb-07, Tzu Chi)

 

Urban Poor Linkage (UPLINK), a partner of Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace NGO and a coalition of Indonesian community organizations, plans to set up temporary shelter and distributing food, medicine and shelter items. (Feb-06, Development and Peace)

 

World Vision has distributed shelter, clothing items and family kits to 600 families in Cawang area. NFIs and food distributed in Kebon Pala and Cilincing. 1,300 baby kits distributed in Kebon Pala area. (Feb-06, OCHA) Distributing over US$190,000 in supplies this week for about 25,000 people. World Vision plans a total of US$350,000 in aid. World Vision Indonesia, partnering with Wahana Visi Indonesia, providing emergency assistance in 11 sub-districts in East Jakarta and 3 sub-districts in North Jakarta. NFIs, food items, and baby kits distributed to 7,553 households, and packages of medicines, clean water and lightings were distributed to 25 posts. (Feb-07, OCHA)

 

Foreign Governments

 

Australian Agency for International Development (AUSAID) providing A$150,000 (US$117,000) to the Indonesian Red Cross to provide 5,000 emergency food parcels and 5,000 hygiene kits. (Feb-05, AUSAID) Funds will be channeled through PMI. (Feb-05, OCHA)

 

China will donate US$20,000 to Indonesia through the Red Cross. (Feb-06, Xinhua)

 

European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid deparment (ECHO), has allocated 600,000 euros (US$781,000) to be implemented by Action Contre la Faim (ACF), CARE NL, World Vision and Medecins du Monde FR (MDM) for food, NFIs, wat/san, shelter and health. (Feb-06, ECHO)

 

Germany providing 250,000 euro (US$325,000) to Indonesia to obtain urgently needed commodities such as drinking water, hygiene products and medicine. (Feb-06, GOG)

 

Japan providing emergency relief goods in kind equivalent to 15 million yen (US$120,000) to the government of Indonesia. (Feb-05, GOJ)

 

Netherlands has sent 1 million euros (US$1.3 million) – half will be sent to Indonesian Red Cross, while the other half will be sent to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to purchase rubber boats. (Feb-07, GON)

 

New Zealand Agency for International Development (NZAID) providing NZ$ 100,000 (US$68,000) to be channeled to PMI through the New Zealand Red Cross (NZRC) and the IFRC. (Feb-07, OCHA)

 

Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and the Swiss Red Cross have donated 60,000 Swiss francs (US$48,000) to provide drinking water and medicine. Also gave 100,000 Swiss francs (US$81,000) to support Indonesian Red Cross with logistics, hygiene kits, food and drinking water. (Feb-06, SDC)

 

US Embassy in Jakarta said US will provide some US$100,000 to be channeled through the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC). The assistance will be provided to the IFRC and its partners PMI, CARE, Mercy Corps, and World Vision to support emergency response effort and provide emergency supplies, hygiene kits, plastic sheets, jerry cans, cooking utensils and sleeping mats. (Feb-05, 06 OCHA)

 

Note: See following annexes for more details on alert levels, affected populations and rain forecast in affected areas

Annex 1: (Bakornas [National Coordinating Board for the Management of Disaster] table of water levels at Sluice Gates)

 

The water level in most sluice gates, although still alarmingly high, has begun to decrease slightly. The following table provides the updated status of the water levels. Alert 1 indicates imminent overflow, alert 2 indicates medium possibility of overflow, and alert 3 indicates a lower possibility of overflow. (Source OCHA Sitrep 3 – 5 February)

 

 

Source: BAKORNAS PB, 6 February, 06:00 hrs

 

 

Annex 2: (BMG Rainfall forecast Map)

Caption:

BMG rainfall forecast map for February 2007. (source: WHO Sitrep #3 – 5 Feb)

 

 

 

 

 

Annex 3: (IFRC map of affected locations)

Annex 4: (Bakornas Table of Affected Populations)

The following table provides current data on casualties, IDPs and flooded houses as of 6 February 2007: (source OCHA Sitrep #3 – 6 Feb)

 

 

Source: BAKORNAS PB, 5 February 2007