Press Release: European Commission allocates EUR 600,000 humanitarian aid to victims of floods in Jakarta

Torrential rains since 31 January 2007 have caused massive flooding in Jakarta and its surrounding areas, covering approximately 60 to 70% of the city. These floods appear to be the worst since 2002, in a city which together with its suburbs, has an estimated population of 14 million people. The funds will help to face the huge needs following these floods, as there is an estimated number of up to 340,000 severely affected people in the whole area. This primary emergency decision will be channelled through the Commission's Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO), under the direct responsibility of Commissioner Louis Michel.