Red Cross Slams Lack of Aid for Wasior Survivors as Death Toll Hits 144
Jakarta Globe, Banjir Ambarita & Dessy Sagita | October 10, 2010
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| Aid workers warn that survivors of the flash floods in Wasior, forced to live in their ruined homes, face the risk of fresh flooding. (Reuters Photo) |
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Jakarta. A week after flash floods devastated the town of Wasior in West Papua province, the death toll has reached 144, with another 161 people missing and feared dead.
More than 3,000 residents have been evacuated, but aid workers say the government has overlooked those left behind.
La Abidin, an official from the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI), said on Sunday that survivors were forced to seek refuge in damaged homes and buildings because the government has focused more on recovering bodies.
He said the survivors risked death as long as they stayed in the ruined properties, which he warned could be swept away should more floods hit the area.
He also said they are vulnerable to infectious diseases.
“The government should set up proper evacuation camps immediately for these people because not only is it dangerous for them to stay in damaged buildings, but it also makes it difficult for rescuers to work properly,” Abidin said.
He added rescue efforts were suspended on Sunday due to heavy rains, which also hampered the recovery team’s work on Friday.
“We’re afraid there may be more floods because of these rains,” he said. “Nevertheless, the rescue team is standing by, and once the rain lets up, we’ll be back at work.”
Abidin said the priority for rescuers was to clear debris and mud from roads and rivers to allow aid shipments to come in.
DJ Sawaki, head of the Wasior disaster command post, on the other hand said that most areas which have been isolated from the town due to landslides and floods are now accessible.
He added most residents had already been evacuated to the neighboring towns of Manokwari and Nabire.
Meanwhile, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who was expected to visit Wasior on Sunday, has postponed the trip to Wednesday at the earliest because he “did not want to get in the way of the evacuation efforts,” presidential spokesman Julian Aldrin Pasha said.
Julian was quoted by news portal Kompas.com as saying the president had made his decision after meeting with Sjamsul Maarif, the head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB).
The relief goods sent by the government arrived in Wasior on board the Navy warship KRI Kalakay on Saturday.
The six-ton consignment which was sent on Friday includes clothes, blankets, instant noodles, biscuits, canned fish, milk and rice.
“The aid had to be sent by sea because the Wasior airstrip is still not fully functional due to the disaster,” Lt. Col. Yayan Sugiana, the spokesman for the Navy’s Eastern Fleet Command, said on Saturday.
“The total aid the president donated was 30 tons, but the Kalakay could only take six.”
He added the rest had been stored in a Navy warehouse and would be taken to Wasior once the Kalakay had returned.
Meanwhile, Tjandra Yoga Aditama, the Health Ministry’s director general for disease control, said previously it was imperative to get all survivors out of Wasior because of the high risk of more flooding and an outbreak of infectious diseases there.
He also said there was very little clean water, while the electricity supply had been cut off.
Tjandra said the ministry had sent several aid shipments to the area, including baby food, body bags and antibiotics.
He added the ministry would disinfect as much of the area as possible to minimize the risk of a disease outbreak.
Agung Laksono, the coordinating minister for people’s welfare, and Salim Segaf Al Jufri, the social affairs minister, visited the area over the weekend and handed over Rp 2 billion in cash for the rescue and recovery effort.
Salim was reported by state news agency Antara as saying the government would also give Rp 4 million each to the families of those killed in the tragedy and would pay the medical costs for all survivors.
Agung also said they would ensure that the emergency response was being handled well.
“We are also concerned about the post-disaster response, such as rehabilitation and reconstruction,” he said, adding that they would check all public facilities such as schools and hospitals.
Additional reporting from Antara
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