Concerns remain over a critical shortage in essential supplies including drinking water and medical care for displaced residents due to a spate of deadly floods and landslides across Indonesia's Sumatra Island despite of full-out relief efforts across the affected areas.
The death toll from the massive floods and mudslides which devastated Sumatra last week climbed to 893 as of Friday noon, with over 520 people still reported missing, according to the country's disaster agency.
At a temporary shelter set up in the Agam Regency in West Sumatra, medical personnel say many displaced residents are suffering from health issues such as respiratory problems and diarrhea following the disaster.
With only basic medical attention able to be provided at this site, there are concerns about the lack of access to outside care for those with more serious illnesses, as the road from the relief center to the nearest community health station has been blocked off.
"The treatments we can provide at this medical station include monitoring blood pressure, blood oxygen levels, and heart rates. If patients require vitamins, we can provide those as well. Additionally, if someone needs care for any wounds, such as abrasions or lacerations, we can perform simple suturing," said Nyoman Tri Paramita, a local doctor.
The daily lives of displaced residents remains deeply challenging in the wake of the disaster, with power not yet restored in many areas and water supplies also still cut off elsewhere. Furthermore, as transportation in the disaster-stricken areas has not yet been fully restored, only a limited amount of the aid supplies can reach the victims in need.
"According to the information we have received, volunteers are attempting to transport supplies to areas that remain inaccessible by utilizing aerial delivery or sending them manually on foot," said Mardika, a rescue worker.
Road access has been partially restored in parts of North Sumatra, West Sumatra and Aceh, though power and communications remain disrupted. Joint rescue teams continue clearing mud and debris while searching for the missing.
The heavy rain, starting Nov. 23, caused rivers to swell and resulted in landslides in several areas, blocking transportation, disrupting power and communications, and leaving many remote villages temporarily out of contact.
Concerns raised over shortage of essential supplies in flood-hit Indonesia
Concerns raised over shortage of essential supplies in flood-hit Indonesia
