CARE gives clean water to tidal flood affected communities in Tangerang

5 June 2008

The forecasted tidal flood in Jakarta and its surrounding areas have impacted thousands of people living in the coastal areas in north of Jakarta and Tangerang. The water level before peak time reached the height of an adult waist in Dadap village, Tangerang, Banten. Despite the condition, only a few from a total 1,000 households living in the area were voluntarily relocated to a safer place.

According to the Indonesian Meteorology and Geophysics Agency (BMG), the tidal flood started on Tuesday, and it is predicted that the peak of the tides will happens on June 5 and 6 with the last peak on June 7.

As soon as information on the tidal flood was received, CARE International sent its emergency team to assess the impact of the flood and identify the immediate needs of the affected communities. Clean water is the most rare commodity to find during floods, whilst the highest in demand. Contaminated water can cause diarrhea particularly in children leading to death in absence of proper treatment.

As options to clean, consumable water, CARE distributed Air Rahmat, a water purifying solution that makes the water safe to be consumed without boiling. One bottle Air Rahmat is enough for one month for one family. Beside Air Rahmat, CARE also distributed hygiene kits and jerry cans to 354 families in Dadap village, Tangerang. The hygiene kits consist of tooth brush and paste, soap for bathing and washing, towel, floor cleaner and mosquito repellant.

CARE will continue to provide the hygiene kits and Air Rahmat to a total of 1,000 families in Dadap Village while the Emergency Team continue to monitor the situation in the flood prone area around Tangerang.

For more information or to interview members of the emergency team in Tangerang, please contact:

Deborah Underdown, Assistant Communications Officer, London, on Mob: 0782 456 3810


Wiwik Widyastuti
CARE Indonesia Communications Officer
Mobile: +62.(0) 812.108.2491