UN humanitarian team sent to assess needs of Indonesian flood victims

A United Nations emergency mission is being deployed to Sulawesi, Indonesia, to assess the situation on the ground there in collaboration with Government and non-governmental institutions following flash floods earlier this week which sent thousands fleeing from their homes and killed at least 33 people.

The team, dispatched by the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator’s Office in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta, will focus on more accurately determining the actual size of the displaced population and their short and medium-term needs.

As of today the floodwaters have completely receded and the affected population has started to return to their homes. As a result the actual number of displaced people will be lower than the initial Indonesian Red Cross estimate of 17,500.

The remaining displaced persons are scattered in various public buildings, temporary tents provided by local authorities, as well as with neighbours and families in safer areas and it has been difficult to obtain firm information on the numbers affected.

It has also been reported that 2,067 houses, 1,115 hectares of agricultural area and 11 hectares of plantation area were damaged and 9,773 head of livestock lost. Schools, bridges, irrigation dams, churches and mosques also sustained damage.