Press Release: Emergency Response to Devastating Indonesia Floods
Local Nottingham charity responds to deadliest floods in Indonesia for over a decade
Local charity Muslim Hands has responded to the Indonesian floods that struck on Tuesday 31st December 2019. Sixty seven people have been reported killed so far and half a million are displaced. The recent floods have seen the worst rainfall since 1966 and residents are vulnerable to waterborne diseases and infections. The worst hit areas are Jakarta, West Jakarta and Banten where homes and bridges have been destroyed and roads severely damaged. An immediate rescue operation has been launched and urgent support is required, including infrastructure on bridges, home repairs, hygiene kits and wash facilities, as well as school uniforms so that children can return to their normal school routines.
With over 15 years of experience working in Indonesia, Muslim Hands responded to the devastating Aceh Tsunami in 2004 and the Sunda Strait Tsunami 2018, which collectively killed thousands and left millions homeless.
Basel Alkhder, Muslim Hands Emergency Lead Programmes, said:
‘Having arrived within seven days of the emergency, the province of Banten is in need of your support. I have witnessed water rising to a level of six feet deep, and people are dangerously at-risk of being affected by waterborne diseases, which is distressing. Bridges that provide essential items to communities are broken, and families are struggling to feed and provide normality to their loved ones. We hope to provide long-term intervention so that the people of Indonesia can get back on their feet again’.
Yasrab Shah, Muslim Hands Fundraising Director, said:
‘We are hugely saddened by the news that Indonesia has been struck by severe flooding, the worst since 1966. Our team in Indonesia have already started responding to this emergency in the form of distributing emergency life-saving food packs and infrastructure support. The country has experienced successive devastating natural disasters which have killed thousands and affected millions, and so we call upon the general public to donate generously to save lives’.
Notes to editor:
- Established in 1993, Muslim Hands is an international aid agency and NGO dedicated to providing emergency relief and tackling the root causes of poverty around the world.
- Muslim Hands works in over 30 countries worldwide.
- We rely on voluntary donations to continue our vital work. You can donate now by calling 0115 911 7222 or visiting muslimhands.org.uk
- You can contact Sahirah Javaid at 07736344899 or sahirah.javaid@muslimhands.org.uk for more information about this press release.
