The torrential rain that hit the Indonesian capital and its surrounding areas for two consecutive days (January 16 and 17) caused massive flooding in Jakarta, Bekasi and Tangerang. According to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), 32 people have died and 33,502 people have been displaced.
This number is expected to rise. The city remains in a state of emergency until January 27. The weather agency has forecast heavy rain for January 26 to 28, raising concerns that Jakarta – which combined with its satellite cities is home to 20 million people – may be submerged again.
Emergency aid has been flowing into the affected areas from all quarters. including Lembaga Daya Dharma (LDD), a socio-pastoral work of the Archdiocese of Jakarta. Rice, biscuits, instant noodles, milk, blankets, diapers for babies, and rubber dinghies for evacuation have been distributed to survivors in the flooded areas in Jakarta, Bekasi and Tangerang.
“We are aiming to help those who live in isolated areas and who have not received any help. We help to express our love for the survivors of the flood disaster,” said LDD Director Fr Edi Mulyono SJ.
LDD sprang into action on day 1 and has covered more than 16,600 affected people and over 5,000 families with the support of staff, local volunteers, local parishioners and the diocesan network in Indonesia. Among the local volunteers are many Jesuit scholastics, working directly with LDD or helping in different parishes. The aid is distributed to the affected areas using the parish network and other civil service organisations linked to LDD.
LDD is still receiving calls from contacts that help is needed in several areas where families have been forced to live in bad conditions with poor access to clean water and other necessities, not to mention the mud and garbage left after the water recedes. LDD is continuing to work closely with Caritas Indonesia to respond the need of the survivors.
Caption for the main photo: Distributing relief supplies in Kampung Dauh, Mangga Dua.
To watch a video in Indonesian of the relief efforts, click here.
To donate to the LDD relief efforts, contact LDD Director Fr Edi Mulyono SJ at edimulyonosj@gmail.com.