When torrential rains began pounding Jakarta at the beginning of February, the rivers and canals that flow through the city burst their banks, sending debris, raw sewage and filthy brown water into people’s homes and streets. More than 200,000 people – by some estimates, as many as 340,000 – were displaced, seeking shelter in schools, mosques and community centres.

Across the city and outlying areas, local government, police, community members and aid agencies like CARE rallied together to provide food, shelter and safe water to those affected.

With nearly 115 staff already working on water and sanitation and health projects in the Tangerang district, CARE was able to respond immediately and distribute life-saving emergency supplies to affected communities.

To help families protect themselves from water-borne disease, such as diarrhea, spread by the contaminated water, CARE is providing water purification solution called Air Rahmat, which you add to water to purify it, along with jerry cans to keep the water safe from further contamination. In the first few days alone, CARE distributed enough water purification solution to supply 3,000 families with safe water.

CARE is also providing health education about the risks of contaminated water and how to properly purify water before drinking. Starting Feb. 9, CARE will begin distribution of 1,500 hygiene kits, including a plastic storage container, soap, diapers, sanitary napkins, blankets, mosquito repellent, and eucalyptus oil, to help people cope and to keep their familes healthy until the floodwaters recede.

Working through emergency posts, CARE is also distributing food for up to 10,000 people in the poorest communities in Tangerang.

For more information about CARE’s response and to read inspiring stories of how families in Jakarta are surviving the floods, please click on the links below, or visit the press releases page for the latest news.

Page last updated 08-02-2007