State Apparatus Restricted People’s Relief works

A week ago, Indonesian government of Susilo Bambang Yudoyono government announced that heavy rain could cause flood in certain area. However, government did not inform people about what to do or where to go or where to get the assistance in the case of flood.

Since 2 February 2007, People who dwelled in Pedongkelan, a slum area in East Jakarta were forced to leave their houses because three meters waters depth has shrunk their houses. People then moved to find the save place on their own.

Urban Poor Union (Serikat Rakyat Miskin Kota), an organization affiliated into The National Liberation Party of unity (Papernas) initiated to collect and distribute aids. Seeing one police post which located in ITC Cempaka Mas was not affected by flood, SRMK requested to use it to storage aids.

Suddenly, on 7 February 2007 police deputy came and asked to clear the post. She even chased away a truck full of aids to go. Police clearly said to Marlo Sitompul, Chairperson of SRMK, “We must close this post, if aids remain here, people will refuse to be removed.

It is lately known that government set an evacuation center to locate flood victim. Unfortunately people react passively to government call since its location is very far from people’s house and work place.

People who tried to survive on their own; find shelter, collected and distributed food are disappointed to evacuation program which effectively run two weeks after flood. .

And again, this is not the first flood disaster after all.

Government of President Susilo Bambang Yudoyono may argued that flood affected area are too wide. But they should aware the similar situation of flood disaster which displace 22.000 residents in 2002.

Government now arguing flood prevention infrastructure will absorb great expenses of local budget. An officials estimate US$ 500 million to free Jakarta from Flood. In the opposite, foreign debt payment which absorbs 30% of State budget is never too high for government. The State allocation and response to the disaster has reaffirmed their character of putting the people as the last priority. (*KP)

Urban Poor Union Emergency sites

- Jl. Kampung Guji Baru Rt 04/02 No. 19 Duri Kepa Kebon Jeruk Jakarta 11510

- Jl. Sugriwa Persada Rt 004/ Rw 04 Kel. Rawa Buaya Kec. Cengkareng Jakarta Barat - Indonesia

- Jl Tipar Cakung, Jakarta Utara - Indonesia