IDEP emergency response to flash floods in Aceh & North Sumatra
Dear Friends of IDEP, Two years after the Indian Ocean tsunami devastated the province, Aceh is struggling with a new disaster. Torrential rains over the past week have triggered flash floods and landslides which have forced around 300,000 to flee their homes on the island of Sumatra, with Aceh and North Sumatra provinces the worst hit.
As of yesterday reports showed that about 100,000 people were stranded by floods which have claimed at least 110 lives. Water levels, which rose to as high as five meters in some places, have been receding, but today the sky was dark again with clouds. We pray that the rains will not start again.
Officials say a combination of heavy rains and widespread unregulated deforestation are to blame for the flash flooding. By removing dense vegetation the ground is less able to absorb heavy rainfall, creating torrents of water that quickly overwhelm river systems.
IDEP’s Emergency Response Update No 4
In this update:
- IDEP’s response to the recent West Java tsunami
- Update on IDEP’s response to the Yogya Quake
- IDEP’s Community Disaster Preparedness Education activities
- IDEP’s need to expand its emergency response capacity
- How you can help
IDEP Yogyakarta Earthquake Response Update No 2
About the situation on the ground around Yogya at this time
The latest reports put the death toll from the Java quake at over 5,800 and sources estimate that some 647,000 people have been displaced and are in need of basic food and shelter.
As night falls over Java, international news services and eyewitness reports from our partners in the field inform us that while more aid appears to be arriving at the now open airport in Yogyakarta. Yet many people whose homes have been destroyed are facing their fifth night without food, shelter, water or even basic medical aid. Assessments from our partners in the field suggest than many thousands more people will spend further nights with out their basic needs met.
Our partners are coordinating with local organizations to identify places where many of the larger NGOs have yet to arrive and are focusing their efforts of delivering emergency aid to areas.
About IDEP’s Emergency Response Activities happening now
Drawing on relationships established during the Aceh disaster, IDEP started working immediately with partners on the ground in Yogya. When the banks opened on Monday, IDEP emptied out its emergency reserve funds (US$10,000) and started wiring money to the partner groups.
Rp 30,000,000 (US$ 3,200) was sent to Kelompok Peduli Bencana / KAPPALA for purchasing emergency supplies of food, shelter and basic medical supplies. This group is running a 24 hour mobile clinic program which is reaching the most remote areas that have little or no other aid whatsoever.
This excellent initiative is in desperate need for vehicles and medical supplies to be able to expand their mobile clinics outreach. Any kind of vehicle that is rugged and can be modified into a mobile clinic such as Kijangs or Panthers would be wonderful. Ideally 4 wheel drives so that the team can continue to access hard to reach isolated places. The team says they are able to increase their current fleet of 2 vehicles up to a maximum of 8 vehicles, should support be available. If you are able to help with this
PLEASE CONTACT US IMMEDIATELY if you are able to donate funds to purchase medicines and other supplies please go to our website: www.idepfoundation.org/idep_donate.php
IDEP newsletter - One year after the Tsunami
It has been just over one year since the devastating Asian Tsunami changed the region forever. Since then there have been so many other tragedies in the region and worldwide. IDEP extends its heartfelt sympathies to all those that have suffered so greatly. We also extend our best wishes to the thousands of people all over the world that like us continue to work tirelessly to try and bring some relief and education for sustainable development to the areas most effected by the events.
Here at IDEP we have been very busy with the ongoing implementation of our recovery programs in Aceh, in addition to focusing on revitalizing our programs here in Bali and nationwide in Indonesia. Our programs are progressing well thanks to supporters worldwide and our outstanding Indonesian and expatriate team members who have been supported by many local & international volunteers.
Initial meeting with Lamsujin community - Demonstration of organic compost - Seed saving activity