Indonesian flood waters recede but fears of water-borne diseases persist – UN
Although the floodwaters have begun to recede in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, where 25 people are confirmed dead and nearly 300,000 others were driven from their homes, according to latest Government figures, clean water remains cut off in many areas and the fear of water-borne diseases persists, the United Nations reported today.
Although the floodwaters have begun to recede in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, where 25 people are confirmed dead and nearly 300,000 others were driven from their homes, according to latest Government figures, clean water remains cut off in many areas and the fear of water-borne diseases persists, the United Nations reported today.
“Hopefully the crisis has peaked, but we remain vigilant for potential floods as heavy rains continue to be predicted by the national weather services,” UN Humanitarian Coordinator Bo Asplund said. “A UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination Team can be quickly deployed if called upon to provide international assistance.”
Several UN agencies are providing assistance as requested by the Government, with the UN World Food Programme (WFP) delivering 3.42 metric tons of noodles and biscuits to the Tangerang area, one of the hardest hit locations.
The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in coordination with the Public Works department, is preparing water bladders and purification tablets and will provide zinc supplements to children to treat diarrhoea. The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) will distribute hygiene kits and reproductive health packages through Ministry of Health counterparts.
The UN World Health Organization (WHO) has helped to establish 15 mobile health units across Jakarta and is carefully monitoring cases of acute respiratory tract infection, diarrhoea, leptospirosis, a bacterial illness causing fever, severe headache and vomiting, as well as gastro-intestinal diseases.
The UN Humanitarian Coordinator continues to support the Indonesian disaster management operations in disseminating public information and conducting assessments.
The Government has identified food, including rice, baby food, ready-to-eat food and drinking water, clothes, blankets, medicines, sanitation facilities, tools, rubber boats, trucks, inner tubes, flashlights, lanterns, and water tanks as ongoing needs.
The Government is now actively providing emergency relief supplies and services to those who need it most, including food, drinking water, tents, sanitation facilities, and public kitchens, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported.