US Offers Support to Flood Victim

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - U.S. Ambassador Scot A. Marciel has offered U.S. assistance in response to the severe flooding in and around Jakarta, the U.S. Embassy here said in its official website on Saturday.

The ambassador made the offer on January 18, following the Indonesian government's declaration of an emergency over the flooding in Jakarta last Thursday.

The United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development's (USAID) Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance, will provide $150,000 to support the humanitarian relief efforts of the Indonesian government and assist those affected in close coordination with the Indonesian Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) and local leaders.

In cooperation with Mercy Corps, Save the Children and World Vision, the United States support will be used for local procurement and distribution of emergency relief supplies, including materials for flood clean-up activities that will enable affected people to return home.

"We offer our deepest sympathies to those affected by the terrible flooding in and around Jakarta.  While the situation has affected thousands of people, I have been heartened by the selfless response of so many Indonesians to assist their fellow citizens, and by the hard work and dedication of the Indonesian disaster response officials, police and military.  With the impact of Super Storm Sandy in the United States fresh in the minds of the American people, we appreciate the difficult challenges now facing Indonesians, and we are pleased to help," Ambassador Marciel said.

On January 17, the governor of Jakarta declared a state of emergency in the capital, which is expected to remain in effect through January 27. (*/T007)