Save the Children is providing relief for children and their families affected by the flood in North Sumatra and North Aceh Jakarta
27 December, 2006
Save the Children is providing food, water, medicines, blankets, household supplies, and temporary shelter to thousands of families forced to flee their homes due to torrential rains that have flooded villages in Aceh province and North Sumatra, Indonesia. The severe floods are the latest catastrophe to befall children and families in a region of Indonesia devastated by the tsunami of December 26, 2004, one of worst natural disasters in modern history. Save the Children staff are working with other aid agencies in coordinating an airlift of supplies to displaced families. An emergency team flew out Saturday (Dec 23) to assess the damage.
Save the Children, which has assisted children and families in northern Sumatra for more than 30 years, currently has operations in many areas of the region including Banda Aceh, Medan, Lhokeseumawe and Langkat. In the next several weeks, the agency will focus its efforts on meeting basic needs of displaced families while also working to help children cope with the disaster.
"We are coordinating with government officials, community leaders and local partners to assist displaced families and children in need," said Mike Novell, Country representative for Save the Children in Indonesia.
To date, Save the Children has distributed 2,580 tarpaulins, 3,044 hygiene kits and 638 household kits to affected families in Langkat, North Sumatra. In Aceh Utara 15,000 liters of water and 34,000 packs noodles has been distributed to the affected communities in addition to 24,000 packets and 6,517 litres bottled water in Bireun, One temporary clinic and supplies has been established in Lhoksukon, and basic medical supplies are being distributed. An additional temporary clinic is being set up today in Langkahan. 20.05 MT of rice, 1,542 litres oil, 8,000 sanitary napkins and 15,000 litres of water have also been distributed by Save the Children in Aceh Utara. An additional of 20.05 MT of rice and 1,542 litters of oil, 500 kg of salted fish will be distributed tomorrow (Dec 28).
"Many families affected by the floods lost loved ones and livelihoods due to the tsunami of two years ago," Novell added. "We want to do all we can to help children and families recover from this latest disaster."
For further information and pictures please contact:
Media Contact (London, UK) Rosie Jordan - Office: +44 20 70126850, Mobile: +44 (0) 7831 650 409
Media Contact (Indonesia) Jon Bugge -- Mobile: + 62 (0) 812 1088 702