ACTNews, JAKARTA – Partnering with Mercy Relief Singapore, ACT supplied 8,000 litres of clean water for the flood victims in Bidara Cina Urban Village, Jatinegara SubDistrict, East Jakarta, on Wednesday (1/8). Clean water was rationed out to the residents of Bidara Cina to help fulfill their immediate needs for drinking, showering, and cooking. 

Besides Bidara Cina, the clean water aid from Mercy Relief Singapore was also distributed in batches to other areas in Jakarta. In total, 40,000 litres of clean water were distributed to the flood-affected neighborhoods in Greater Jakarta (JABODETABEK).  

Ani Wahyati (39), a resident of block 2 Bidara Cina urban village admitted that clean water had been scarce because the flooding had contaminated their clean water sources. Additionally, the blackout had caused the Regional Drinking Water Company (PDAM) failing to channel the water to their flats. “We had to buy water that costs IDR 6,000 per gallon. It costs IDR 8,000 if you live above the ground floor. The price depends on the floor on which we live,” said Ani. Before the clean water distribution, Ani and other residents of the tenement blocks had only a limited amount of water for drinking and cleaning. 

Ati Surati (60), a resident of Block 2-C, said that the clean water distribution on Wednesday (1/8) was extremely helpful to meet the residents’ dire need for clean water. “Even before the flood, water was only available for a short period from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day,” Ati narrated. 

Naah (37) also expressed her gratitude for the clean water distribution. “Our lives were quite restricted after the flood. Electricity and water were not available, and no shops were opened,” said the woman who was originally from Brebes and has lived in Jakarta for years. 

Masahiro Ishizeki, Head of Mercy Relief Singapore’s International Programmes, stated that, in line with Mercy Relief’s vision, the provision of clean water for the Jakarta flood victims aimed to fulfill their daily needs for water. Ishizeki further hoped that the clean water distribution could ease the burden of the flood victims. “ACT has good volunteers and good capability in understanding what relief aid is needed in the disaster-hit areas,” said Ishizeki to ACTNews, Wednesday (1/8).

Aside from distributing clean water, Mercy Relief Singapore also handed out 4,000 portions of hot meals prepared in ACT Public Kitchens. These hot meal packages were distributed for the victims of flood and landslide in several of Sub-Districts in Bogor. 

About Mercy Relief

Headquartered in Singapore, Mercy Relief was established in 2003 to respond to human tragedies and disasters in Asia Pacific. Mercy Relief provides emergency aid within 72 hours of an appeal in the aftermath of a disaster. Our longer-term sustainable development projects aim to uplift and empower communities in five key areas: water and sanitation, shelter, sustainable livelihoods, healthcare and education. For the past decade, Mercy Relief has responded to more than 80 human tragedies with more than $36.1 million in relief across 25 countries. We have implemented more than 59 sustainable development initiatives and impacted an aggregate of over 2.1 million lives.

About Humanity Water Truck

Humanity Water Truck is one of ACT’s humanitarian vehicles reliable to assist the victims of natural disasters, including those of Jakarta flooding. Humanity Water Truck coordinator Muhammad Fadly said that the Humanity Water Truck can hold up to 20,000 liters of clean water. “The water distributed by Humanity Water Truck comes from a spring located on the mountains of Sukabumi,” said Fadly, Wednesday (1/8). []