Jakarta flood victims receiving aid.
Indonesia (MNN) ― Indonesia's deadly flood waters may be receding, but World Vision's national director Trihadi Saptoadi (Tri-hah-dee Sahp-toe-ah-dee) says nearly 60-percent of Jakarta is underwater.
The flooding displaced hundreds of thousands and more rain is coming. That's prompting officials to warn survivors of the potential for fresh flooding. There's another concern facing WVI's team. Because thousands of people are sheltering in government buildings, schools and mosques to escape their flooded homes, there's a lot of overcrowding and unsanitary conditions.
That's sparked fears of a rampant spread of waterborne diseases. Saptoadi agrees. "We are concerned that actually, flood-related illnesses like diarrhea and dysentery may be coming in. This morning, I went to one of the temporary shelters in a big mosque where we distribute all our assistance. I found two out of five kids went to the hospital because of diarrhea."
According to WVI, the most severely affected peoples are the Cawang, Cipinang Melayu, Kebon Pala, and Cilincing project communities (also known as Area Development Programs, or ADPs). The Susukan ADP has suffered minor impact.
To give an idea of the changing scope of the relief effort: World Vision's team distributed 600 family kits and additional emergency supplies in Cawang on Saturday; they also distributed blankets, sarongs, noodles, mineral water, and other items in Kebon Pala and Cilincing ADPs. World Vision has been distributing emergency supplies to thousands of affected people since Friday evening, and expects to reach more than 7,300 families by the end of this week.
Saptoadi says that's proven to be the open door to ministry. "We're working with the poor in the poorest place in Jakarta. People know that we are Christians. People know that we do all this work because of our love, our call. They know us fairly well, but they really will come ask because we really come with compassion and our calling as a Christian."
Please pray for the more than 500,000 (WVI estimate) people displaced by flooding in Jakarta and those who have lost loved ones. Pray, too, for World Vision staff to be able to provide needed relief assistance to the flood survivors quickly. Click here if you want to help.
