Australian Embassy
Indonesia
Address: Jalan H.R. Rasuna Said Kav C 15-16, Jakarta Selatan - Telephone: 2550 5555 - Fax: 2550 5467

Media Release

29 December 2006

Floods in Indonesia

The Australian Government will provide $200,000 or equal to IDR1,229,260,000 to support the Indonesian Red Cross respond to the extensive flooding in the east of Sumatra Island. The floods have covered large areas of Aceh, North Sumatra and Riau Provinces, leaving over 100 people dead and a further 175 reported as missing. Almost 430,000 have been displaced by the floods, with extensive damage to houses, schools, crops, plantations, fish ponds, roads and bridges.

Damage to infrastructure is hindering relief operations, with roads leading to many of the affected areas blocked due to flooding and subsequent landslides. The local government is coordinating the set-up of evacuation camps and delivering relief supplies, together with United Nations agencies, the Indonesian Red Cross and local non-government organizations (NGOs).

Australia’s $200,000 (IDR1,229,260,000) contribution will assist the Indonesian Red Cross’ response in North Sumatra and Riau Provinces, where fewer aid agencies are based. Our support will contribute to the provision of medical supplies and household kits for 4,000 families, as well as support the deployment of volunteers to implement and monitor the Indonesian Red Cross’ relief activities in theses areas.

The United Nations allocated USD $2 million (IDR16,634,100,135) from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to support the response. Australia is a contributor to the CERF, providing AUD $10 million (IDR61,463,000,000) in March this year and committing an additional AUD $10 million (IDR61,463,000,000) earlier this month.

Further information:
Eko Setiono (AusAID Jakarta) mob. 0811 924536