UN offers up to $2 million from emergency fund for Indonesia flood relief

The top United Nations humanitarian official today released up to $2 million from the world body’s emergency fund to help Indonesia’s Government deal with the deadly floods that have already killed at least 50 people and displaced half a million others in the capital Jakarta and surrounding areas.

Acting Emergency Relief Coordinator Margareta Wahlström decided to make the money available from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to boost international assistance to Indonesia, where the Government says there is still immediate need for food, clothes, blankets, medicines and other essentials.

“The timely availability of CERF support greatly facilitates the United Nations current humanitarian response in the Jakarta area,” said Bo Asplund, the world body’s Humanitarian Coordinator for Indonesia. “These funds will help significantly boost the provision of immediate and ongoing assistance to Indonesia by the international community.”

At least 512,000 people have been displaced by the flooding, according to the latest figures released by the National Coordination Board for Disaster Management, and at least 50 others are confirmed dead. In total, more than half of the sub-districts in Jakarta province continue to be affected by the floods, and heavy rains are still expected in Greater Jakarta and in the Cianjur Districts.

UN agencies, along with many countries and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), continue to provide humanitarian assistance and the Government has asked the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) to serve as the main focal point with the international community.

The World Health Organization (WHO), through the Indonesian Ministry of Health, has provided emergency kits and rubber boats to assist temporary health posts, while the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has provided $25,000 to the Government. The World Food Programme (WFP) has also provided emergency rations.

Supplies valued at more than $150,000 have been provided by the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), while the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) has allocated $96,000 for hygiene kits that will be distributed through the Health Department’s Crisis Management Centre.

Although the Government is encouraging displaced people to move into one of the six temporary shelters that are equipped with health posts, public kitchens and sanitation facilities, many of the displaced prefer to stay in alternative shelters close to their homes, to ensure the security of their possessions, OCHA said. The Government is providing food and non-food assistance to those in need.