Thousands of people affected by floods that started in October in Indonesia’s West Kalimantan province continue to need help as waters have not subsided in many parts of the area.
In the Diocese of Sintang, several places remained under a two-meter deep water, making it difficult for volunteers to distribute relief aid, said church workers.
At least 11 Catholic churches have been seriously affected by the floods that displaced about 11,948 individuals who remained in temporary shelters.
Indonesia’s National Agency of Disaster Management said at least 24,522 households or 87,496 people are affected by the floods. About 21,000 houses are inundated, and five bridges are damaged.
“We have been fully backed up by the Tanjung Pura Military Command in dispatching this humanitarian aid package,” said Bishop Agustinus Agus of Pontianak.
“We never give up to extend humanitarian aid package to the most affected people,” said Capuchin Brother Paiman of the Pontianak Humanitarian Volunteers Forum.
Bishop Samuel Oton Sidin of Sintang expressed his gratitude to the Catholic community for providing aid to the people of his diocese.
Prolonged and heavy rainfall along with strong winds from October to early November has caused Kapuas River to overflow, flooding several districts in West Kalimantan province.
Following an initial flooding at the end of October, which receded quite quickly, heavy rain continuing in early November, saw a rapid escalation of the situation, causing extensive flooding.
