7 April 2008

JAKARTA, Indonesia: Human activities have contributed to climate change, whose impacts include increased sea level, spread of diseases and increased severity of drought and floods and other natural events, forcing people to seek shelter in temporary settlement.
“In emergency situations, elderly, pregnant women and girls are among the most vulnerable groups because of lack of clean water, food and inadequate health care,” said UNFPA Representative Dr. Zahidul Huque, while adding that outbreak of diseases like malaria, respiratory diseases and diarrhea tend to increase.
Experts link recent floods in Jakarta with climate change, saying that as sea level increases, coastal cities, like Jakarta will be prone to flooding. The February 2007 floods claimed the lives of 52 people and forced around 386,678 people to seek shelters in nearby temporary settlements.
Much of the development in Indonesia took place at the cost of its environment—between 1997 and 2000 the country lost some 3.5 million hectares of forest every year. The slash and burn land clearing for agriculture is still a widely used method by farmers because it is cheap and quick. Indonesia is world’s 3rd biggest greenhouse gas producing country with 85% of its emission resulting from fires and forest clearing.
Each person, Dr. Huque said, can contribute by promoting and adopting environmental friendly behaviors and communities need to improve their disaster preparedness response to protect community members in times of emergency.
Ms. Srihartati Pandi of the Indonesian White Ribbon Alliance (APPI) emphasized on the need for raising public awareness with all government bodies, civil society organizations and community leaders are involved. “This should be a national movement and we need strong leadership to mobilize all elements of communities,” she added.

 For further information please contact:
 Maria Endah Hulupi
 UNFPA Communications Officer: 0812 1115 116