Heavy rains since the 1st of February 2007 have caused massive flooding in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta. Floods are common in Indonesia during the rainy season but the level of devastation has made these floods the worst to hit Jakarta in five years.
Nearly 300,000 people were made homeless and were evacuated to temporary shelters. At least 10 districts in and outside Jakarta were heavily hit by the floods and emergency aid like clean drinking water, medicines, food, tents, clothes, blankets, sleeping mats, sand bags and rubber boats were quickly provided by governmental as well as non governmental organizations.
It was estimated that nearly 60% of the city was under water. Rivers burst, pouring muddy waters up to 4 meters deep into homes and buildings. Poor drainage systems, a lack of flood control facilities and a changing climate have contributed to the worsening situation. Top concern went out to the prevention of diseases like the number of casualties is expected to rise while displaced people, water contamination and the spread of diseases like diarrhea, dysentery and dengue fever.
Our colleagues from Deco in Jakarta immediately took the initiative and contacted the Indonesian Red Cross and other agencies, coordinators and authorities to establish the most urgent needs. With extra funds from the Community Program the employees purchased the required goods and delivered them to the local Red Cross office, later also helping with the distribution.
Akzo Nobel also provided transport means and some packing materials. Our employees felt strongly that we should participate in the provision of emergency supplies to those families worst affected, despite many of our employees also being badly affected themselves, said Jon Dingoor, President Akzo Nobel Dekorina in Indonesia. 5,925 bottles of mineral water, 159 packs of milk, 10,200 portions of instant noodles, 49 sacks of rice, 623 items of medicine and 177 items of other food were bought and assembled.
About 500 families benefited from our employees initiative that were proud to be able to participate in this project.