Photo: BBC

Indonesia experienced torrential rains beginning 31 January 2007, particularly in Bogor, a city located 60 km south of Jakarta. Because of its high altitude and combined with heavy rains over Jakarta, the situation triggered an overflow of rivers. As a consequence, severe flooding occured in Jakarta, Bekasi and Tangerang starting 1 February.

As a result of the flooding in the above-mentioned areas, thousands of houses, buildings (including 1,498 schools), and roads were inundated. In Jakarta, more than 60% of the five mayoral areas were severely affected, especially East Jakarta. Supply of clean water was cut-off in flood affected areas. Flooding also forced the state-owned power firm to shut down some power plants in Jakarta and Tangerang. Telephone lines and electricity networks were cut off in some parts of the city. Flood waters blocked some major roads and paralyzed transportation in the city, including the railway system, and disrupted the distribution of fuel and basic commodities.

Photo: BBC

Several countries provided or offered assistance, in cash and in kind, including the United States, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Spain, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Italy, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Canada, the European Commission's Humanitarian Aid department, the Netherlands, United Kingdom, and Singapore. UN agencies, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) assisted the relief efforts through the provision of emergency kits, supplies, water, etc. UNICEF and WHO supported a  measles campaign that started on 13 February in IDP locations. 

OCHA was identified by the Government of Indonesia to serve as the main interlocutor with the international community.  To meet urgent humanitarian needs, the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) allocated $2 million.
 

Useful Links

OCHA Situation Reports