Floods to affect 1.5m, city on high alert<\/p>\n
Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
As millions of people living in the capital are at great risk
\nof suffering due to floods during the rainy season, the Jakarta
\nadministration is now on high alert about a possible outbreak of
\ndiarrhea.<\/p>\n
The city social agency predicted that the floods in January
\nand February this year would affect 1.5 million people, or nearly
\n400,000 families in 106 subdistricts throughout the city.<\/p>\n
Head of the City Health Agency, A. Cholik Masulili, said the
\nSiaga I (first alert) status had been imposed in the city to
\nanticipate the possible diarrhea outbreak.<\/p>\n
"All public health centers in 280 centers in 43 districts
\nthroughout the city must be on alert for 24 hours. Four to five
\ndoctors must be prepared in each center," said Cholik as quoted
\nby Antara.<\/p>\n
He said his office would also set up health posts in all
\ntemporary shelters for flood victims and promised to provide the
\nvictims with free medical services.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile the social agency claimed that it was ready with a
\ncontingency plan to help flood victims by preparing evacuation,
\nshelters and food in flood-prone areas.<\/p>\n
The Head of the social aid section, Nandi Tjaspandi told The
\nJakarta Post that the city administration had been preparing
\nvarious equipment and other goods to anticipate the worst
\npossibilities, including evacuating people whose houses may be
\ninundated, setting up temporary shelters and public kitchens.<\/p>\n
Even though the social agency predicted that 1.5 million could
\nbe adversely affected by floods, it seems that the supply of
\nemergency items is far from enough. Besides the food, which
\nconsists of 42 tons of rice and other items, the agency has only
\nprepared 1,400 sleeping mats, 50 school uniforms, and 1,200
\nblankets.<\/p>\n
As a matter of fact, not all flood victims will be eligible to
\nreceive assistance.<\/p>\n
The assistance will only be available for flood victims who
\nare unable to conduct normal activities due to the inundation of
\ntheir homes for more than 24 hours at a depth of more than 60
\ncentimeters.<\/p>\n
Each day the victims will receive packages of meals consisting
\nof 400 grams of rice and side dishes worth Rp 1,500 each.<\/p>\n
If someone is killed in the flood, the family would receive Rp
\n250,000.<\/p>\n
Data from the agency showed that they had prepared 42 tons of
\nrice, 50 boxes of baby milk powder, 500 boxes of instant noodles,
\n1,350 small bottles of soybean sauce, 50 kilograms of dried fish
\nand 100 liters of cooking oil.<\/p>\n
According to Tjaspandi, his office had given five tons of rice
\nto five mayoralties and would be ready to supply more food if
\nneeded as there is still more in stock.<\/p>\n
Tjaspandi said each subdistrict had decided the location for a
\ntemporary shelter for flood victims. The locations include school
\nbuildings, subdistrict offices, other buildings and open spaces
\nwith tents.<\/p>\n
Each district has also set up a 10-member task force ready to
\nbe deployed to areas affected. They would join the 400-member
\ntask force prepared by the city administration.<\/p>\n
Previously, Governor Sutiyoso said he had received a
\ncommitment from the military that it would also deploy its
\npersonnel to help possible flood victims.<\/p>\n
Tjaspandi said boats were also being readied for flood victim
\nevacuations by the Indonesian Red Cross, the fire brigades, the
\nPublic Works Agency, Army and Marines.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/floods-to-affect-15m-city-on-high-alert-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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