Environmental Recklessness Blamed for Floods

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Environmental Recklessness Blamed for Floods
Feb 2007 - About 60 percent 
of the Indonesian capital Jakarta is flooded following days of 
torrential rains, which caused several rivers to overflow. 
Authorities say 50 people have died and 512,170 have been made 
homeless in the worst floods to hit Jakarta and surrounding 
areas in five years. 
Environment Minister Rachmat Witoelar said the main reason for 
the flooding of Jakarta was the elimination of water catchment 
areas following the construction of large numbers of 
buildings. 
"There are too many malls in the capital city," the minister 
said of the shopping centers that have sprung up across 
Jakarta. 
Seven levels of shopping at Blok M Plaza mall in Jakarta 

The minister told the Antara news agency that many developers 
have not paid enough attention to the ecological impact of 
their projects and have contructed buildings "recklessly" in 
water catchment areas. 
Jakarta has experienced a construction boom since the late 
1990s that has cleared forested areas in the low-lying city. 
"Low awareness of the importance of conserving forests," also 
contributed to the flooding, said Witoelar, adding that people 
should "help stop deforestation to reduce floods" which occur 
nearly every year. 
A limited cabinet meeting at the presidential office today 
decided that the central government would give 10 kilograms 
(22 pounds) of rice in aid to every flood victim in Jakarta 
and the surrounding areas over the next two months. 
The government and communities are now starting to clean up 
the mud and waste from areas where floods have receded. In 
many areas, people have dumped damaged furniture, household 
items and clothes beside the roads. 
Aid agencies have joined government agencies in delivering 
relief to flood-stricken Jakartans. 
Survivors attempt to cope in flooded Jakarta 
The Indonesian Red Cross has deployed seven of its specialized 
rapid response teams and some 470 volunteers to flooded areas. 

Hundreds of people are still thought to be trapped in their 
homes, while electricity and water supplies remain cut off in 
many parts of the city. 
Telecommunications are disrupted in some areas, while 
transportation to most places is cut off, with major rail 
lines and several roads closed. 
Nearly 200,000 people affected by the flooding are suffering 
from flood-related illnesses, but health officials say only 
500 of them have gone to a hospital. 
"We're worried that the number of fatalities will rise since 
the heavy rains are expected to continue, threatening more 
floods," says Iyang Sukandar, the secretary general of the 
Indonesian Red Cross. “We're also worried about the spread of 
diseases, like diarrhea and dysentery because of the 
unsanitary conditions.” 
Health officials fear flood-related illnesses could spread 
throughout Jakarta as the polluted waters are breeding 
diarrhea and skin conditions among the displaced. 
The Indonesian Red Cross offers relief supplies to Jakarta's 
flood survivors. 
The Health Ministry's Crisis Center says the majority of sick 
people are suffering from diarrhea, dengue fever and severe 
respiratory problems. 
The ministry is worried diseases could spread as people crowd 
into emergency shelters or return to homes without power or 
clean water. 
Though flooding has receded in some parts of Jabodetabek and 
more people have returned home to start clean up of their 
surrounding areas authorities and aid agencies continue to 
evacuate those who have stayed in their flooded homes for fear 
of looting and further rains. 
Jabodetabek refers to the metropolitan area surrounding 
Jakarta, with a population estimated at 23.7 million. 
Local communities, local nongovernmental organizations, 
universities, political parties, private companies, media, and 
religious groups are providing assistance to affected people 
with food, tents, water tanks, blankets, health assistance and 
search and rescue efforts. 
Volunteers and staff from local Red Cross chapters are 
providing meals to 35,000 people per day, as well as 
distributing relief goods. 
Oxfam and its partners are rushing supplies to the area to 
provide for the immediate emergency needs through the 
distribution of clean water, sanitation facilities, and relief 
items such as hygiene kits and sarongs. 
Action Against Hunger Indonesia has provided water tanks in 
six locations, tents, soap, blankets, and mats. 
The United Nations Population Fund has allocated US$96,000 for 
its response to the floods in Jakarta and surrounding areas to 
be delivered by the Department of Health's Crisis Management 
Center. 
Young Jakarta flood survivor clings to a package of 
high-energy biscuits provided by the World Food Programme. 

UNICEF emergency supplies valued at more than US$150,000 
arrived today to assist flood victims. The equipment is 
targeted at establishing safe water supplies throughout 
flood-affected parts in North Jakarta. 
Thirty 4,000 liter collapsible water bladders will be placed 
at strategic locations, designed to supply 240,000 people with 
their daily water requirements. 
UNICEF is urging communities not to distribute infant formula 
to flood victims, as affected families do not have easy access 
to clean water, or means to purify it. 
The government of Malaysia has provided five metric tons of 
blankets, five tons of food, two tons of medicines and three 
tons of hygiene and cleaning supplies. 
The government of Australia will boost its emergency relief to 
A$250,000 worth of emergency food parcels and hygiene kits and 
their delivery to flood survivors throught UN World Food 
Programme over the next 24 hours. 
The government of Canada has approved C$50,000 for food and 
hygiene kits supplies to be delivered through two local NGOs. 
The European Commission Humanitarian Aid Department has 
committed €600,000 to international NGOs for delivery of water 
and sanitation, health, provision of hygiene and other nonfood 
assistance. 
The U.S. government, through the U.S. Agency for International 
Development, will provide a total of US$100,000 to the 
Indonesian Red Cross, CARE, Mercy Corps, and World Vision to 
provide hygiene kits, water containers, and sleeping mats to 
Jakarta's flood survivors. 
"CARE works in the Jakarta area, so our staff were able to 
respond immediately to this latest disaster," said Gail 
Steckley, CARE's country director in Indonesia. "Many of our 
staff are also among the families affected."
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