Indonesia: UN agencies step up food, health aid to flood victims

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today started providing immediate food aid to some of the worst-affected flood victims in the Indonesia capital, Jakarta, where at least 40 people have been killed and 340,000 others driven from their homes by rains which inundated thousands of houses and other buildings, including 1,500 schools.

At the request of the authorities, WFP dispatched an initial shipment of 526 boxes of micronutrient-enriched noodles and 702 boxes of high energy biscuits for 2,250 flood victims in south Jakarta, with agency trucks and personnel are on standby for further deliveries as new requests for aid come in.

“The World Food Programme stands ready to help more of the worst-affected people who have had to endure the flooding of their houses and neighbourhoods,” WFP Country Director Mohamed Saleheen said. “With yesterday's request from the Government, and working in close co-operation with Government agencies, we can immediately begin providing ready-to-eat foods for distribution to the victims.”

WFP and other UN agencies based in Jakarta have formed a rapid assessment team to determine further immediate needs of persons displaced by the flooding and available UN resources and supplies that can be provided to the Indonesian authorities, as required.

The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is preparing to provide jerry cans for carrying drinking water, as well as water-purification tablets, oral rehydration salts and other supplies.

It also plans to launch an immunization campaign, during which children affected by the disaster will receive protection against polio and measles, and vitamin A supplements to boost their immune systems.