Jakarta was affected by heavy rains which started on Jan. 16 and continued incessantly for two days. Jakarta’s south and west areas were the most-affected areas by the rains. The water level in these regions varied between 30 centimeters and six meters. Although three days have passed since the end of the rains, waters have not yet withdrawn. People living close to the sea level have evacuated their homes but some families there continue to live under very difficult circumstances in mosques or at the top of buildings.

According to official figures, the number of those who were killed in the days-long floods is 20 and seven of these people lost their lives due to electric shock. The exact number of the people who were killed will be clear after withdrawal of the flood waters. There are fears about the outbreak of epidemics in the regions where waters have withdrawn. Civil society organizations complain that authorities do not take the necessary measures in the regions where waters have withdrawn. They say authorities have allowed emergency work until Jan. 27.

The fact that let alone taking emergency aid to the flood victims, the authorities did not even help those who were stranded in their houses, shows that there could be outbreak of epidemics and hunger in the upcoming days. Civil society representatives also warn against outbreak of epidemics and hunger in the upcoming days, and call on the authorities to make a call for international aid and declare state of emergency.

Post Keadilan Peduli Ummat (PKPU), a sister foundation to IHH in Indonesia, has been carrying out relief work in seven different regions for flood victims. Aid volunteers try to reach people with boats who were stranded in their houses. They also take ailing people to health centers by the use of boats. In addition, delivery of hot meals from mobile kitchens and aid packages continue for flood victims.

The urgently-needed items in the region are baby formula, diapers, sanitary pads for women, water and hot meals. The fact that state authorities fail to take sufficient aid to flood victims and no aid has yet reached most of the regions will make things even worse in the region in the upcoming days.  PKPU members try to reach people with boats who were stranded in their houses. They also take ailing people to health centers by the use of boats. In addition, delivery of hot meals from mobile kitchens continues in two regions. Small food packages are also taken to flood-stricken regions.