Save the Children in Indonesia Ready to Support Children and Their Families Hit by Jakarta Floods
'Thousands of children flee homes, floods likely to get worse,’ warns Save the Children
FAIRFIELD, Conn. (Jan. 3, 2020)—At least six children have died and tens of thousands had to leave their homes in the devastating Jakarta, Indonesia floods—numbers that might increase with the peak of the rainy season still to come and high tides expected in the coming days, Save the Children warned today.
Save the Children has deployed a team of specialists to the area to assess the needs of children, in close cooperation with the authorities. The organization emphasizes that children are among the most vulnerable during crises, and that their safety must be a priority during the ongoing evacuations and in shelters.
Since New Year’s Eve, heavy nonstop rains over Jakarta have caused severe flooding in the capital and its satellite cities in one of the worst rainfalls ever recorded. In total, some 43 people have lost their lives and hundreds of thousands of people were affected, many of whom had to flee their homes. They are sheltered in some 270 evacuation sites.
Dino Satria, Humanitarian Director for Save the Children in Indonesia, emphasized the dire situation for the affected children. “These devastating floods already have had a big impact on children, as they had to leave behind their homes and everything they love,” Satria said. “But children are also impacted indirectly: school buildings are now used as shelters, while the school holiday is ending this week. That means some children run the risk of missing out on school. Save the Children will do all it can to ensure the school activities are not interrupted, suggesting to the local authorities to find solutions for displaced people who need shelter.
“The danger is far from over, we fear that in the coming weeks the situation will get worse. It is feared that eight of the 13 rivers in Jakarta are overflowing, and the other five are at risk. Combined with the expected high tides, even more children and their families might need to be evacuated. The high waters might contaminate clean water resources, which could lead to the outbreak of diseases.
“We call on all involved to make sure children are kept safe and have a roof over their heads, and food to eat. Save the Children will support where needed to make sure this happens. We stand ready with school kits, tents which can be turned into learning centers and safe places for children to play, with materials to build shelters, and hygiene kits to prevent the outbreak of diseases.”
Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. Since our founding more than 100 years ago, we’ve changed the lives of more than 1 billion children. In the United States and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming their lives and the future we share. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
Thank you for signing up! Now, you’ll be among the first to know how Save the Children is responding to the most urgent needs of children, every day and in times of crisis—and how your support can make a difference. You may opt-out at any time by clicking "unsubscribe" at the bottom of any email.
By providing my mobile phone number, I agree to receive recurring text messages from Save the Children (48188) and phone calls with opportunities to donate and ways to engage in our mission to support children around the world. Text STOP to opt-out, HELP for info. Message & data rates may apply. View our Privacy Policy at savethechildren.org/privacy.