ACT Humanitarian Post in South Kalimantan Open for 24 Hours to Assist Flood Victims

All 11 regencies and municipalities have been inundated by severe flood. Disaster Management Institute of Indonesia (DMII) reported that, as of Saturday (1/16/2021), 22,765 families or 84,438 residents were affected by the flood.

ACT’s main humanitarian command post for South Kalimantan flood is located at the ACT South Kalimantan Branch Office on Jalan Pramuka No. 19B, RT 07 RW 01, Pemurus Luar, Banjarmasin.

ACTNews, BANJARMASIN – Massive flood has inundated all 11 regencies and municipalities in South Kalimantan Province. Banjar Regency recorded the largest number of people affected by the flood with 7,474 families or 27,249 residents followed by Tanah Laut Regency as with 6,661 families or 21,990 residents.

In Banjarmasin, the capital of South Kalimantan, the Municipal Government has established disaster command posts in 5 districts. The total number of people affected by the flood is still unknown.

Responding to the flood in South Kalimantan, ACT and MRI South Kalimantan have established a main humanitarian post on Thursday (1/14/2021) at ACT South Kalimantan Branch Office on Jalan Pramuka No. 19B, RT 07 RW 01, Pemurus Luar Administrative Village, Banjarmasin. The post serves as a storehouse for the disaster aid that has been donated as well as an evacuation site for the displaced.

"Alhamdulillah, our post has stored various kinds of humanitarian aid such as meal packages, staple foods, and blankets that are badly needed by the evacuees,” said ACT South Kalimantan Branch Manager Zainal Arifin, Saturday (1/16/2021).

To maximize the assistance to the flood victims, Zainal confirmed that the humanitarian post operates 24 hours. The team is also on standby to evacuate the residents that are trapped in the flood. "Like babies, the elderly, pregnant women, and residents who are sick. They are the priority for the rescue team to be evacuated immediately," added Zainal.

To date, the post has accommodated dozens of residents affected by the flood, the majority of whom are families whose houses have been badly damaged, especially from the East Banjarmasin District.

MRI Banjarmasin evacuates residents affected by flood in Banjarmasin City. (ACTNews / Irsyad)

"Since December 28, 2020, when the flood first hit Martapura, Banjar Regency, ACT and MRI South Kalimantan has evacuated 502 residents, 75 of whom have received medical treatments. In addition, we have received 1,800 food packages, ”explained Zainal.

Zainal added, the humanitarian post is ready to deliver more aid to flood-affected residents in several areas in South Kalimantan both in cash or noncash.

"Those who want to help flood-affected residents can do it by visiting Indonesia Dermawan website," concluded Zainal. []