INDONESIA
Salwa
"Indonesia"
Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta was recently paralyzed with major floods.
Over 100 thousand people were forced to flee their homes as water levels reached the roof of some houses.
The governor of Jakarta, Joko Widodo has declared a state of emergency until the end of January.
For young Salwa from Kampung Melayu, one of the most affected areas in the eastern part of Jakarta, this year’s floods will be a memorable one.
“On Tuesday night at 9 o’clock we had to leave home by boat. I cried because I was scared I was going to fall.”
Salwa just turned 10.
Her and her family had to evacuate when the water level almost reached the roof of their home.
She had to celebrate her birthday at a shelter with dozens of displaced people in the basement of a building.
She didn’t get to have the birthday party that her grandmother, Siti Hadidjah, had promised.
“Before it flooded, we planned Salwa’s birthday with some friends. There was a prayer meeting at the informal school nearby and she wanted a celebration. I wanted to make coconut rice and cakes for her. Turns out, it flooded on her birthday, on the 16th of January. So everything was cancelled.”
I ask Salwa’s best friend Anam whether he got her a birthday present.
“Nope…[why?] because I don’t have money [laughs]”
Here at the shelter it is crowded. Families have been here for over a week now.
Floor mats are scattered everywhere with families surviving off boxes of mineral water and instant noodles.
There are no fans in the basement, so the temperature is stifling hot.
But Siti, Salwa’s grand mother says it’s important to keep the children happy.
“I feel what is really needed is for the kids. Blankets, toys for example for boys, play cars or toys to play outside. And with Salwa and her friends, they are usually happy.”
The flooding had turned the streets of Jakarta into rivers, and put the central business district on a stand still.
At least 26 people have been confirmed dead from the floods.
The last time Jakarta experienced serious flooding was in 2007 where the death toll reached 54.
Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo has declared a state of emergency until weather conditions start to improve.
Salwa’s family are among the 3.5 million Jakartans that live below the poverty line according to the Indonesian Bureau of statistics.
The World Bank definition of the poverty line is living on less than 80 cents a day.
They don’t have any other option than to clean up their homes and deal with the yearly floods.
Kampung Melayu is located by the banks of the Ciliwung river which passes through Jakarta.
The river is heavily polluted and usually overflows causing flooding every year.
“We actually have plans to move but because of our situation, we can’t. We are forced to stay at Kampung Melayu. Since the floods are already normal, we consider it a norm. So we’re not scared anymore”
Siti and her family has been staying in Kampung Melayu for over 40 years.
“We like it here because the location is good, everything is near by. The downside is when it floods.”
Nani Mulyani, Salwa’s mother, is 8 months pregnant. She looks exhausted.
“My feelings, well there’s sadness and happiness, a mixture of emotions. The sadness comes from sleeping at the shelter, it’s cold, windy and open. Happiness comes from the fact that the waters have recided and we can quickly go home.”
Although the water has receded, their house is still damp with mud all over the place.
It may take a couple more weeks before they can move back into their home.
Nani hopes to be back in time to prepare for the birth of her second child.
Despite everything Salwa is going through, she still has one important birthday wish.
“I wish it doesn’t flood like this again. ”
- Indonesia Flood
- Samantha Yap
- Jakarta
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