Due to Drought, Plan Indonesia Distributes More than 1 Million Liters of Clean Water in Lembata, East Nusa Tenggara

Lembata, NTT, August 4, 2023 – The El Nino phenomenon, it’s peak is predicted by the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) to occur in August to September 2023, is said to exacerbate drought conditions in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). In April 2023, the NTT government had issued NTT Governor Decree No 172/KP/HK/2023 on emergency alert for drought and forest and land fires in NTT, valid for 6 months until October 27, 2023. Therefore, Yayasan Plan International Indonesia (Plan Indonesia) as a humanitarian organization, distributed clean water to residents, especially in relocation settlements in Lembata Regency, NTT.

Plan Indonesia through the Lembata Program Implementation Area (PIA) distributed clean water to seven locations in five relocation settlements, namely in Walang, Kalabahi, Tana Merah, Waisesa, and Podu settlements. These settlements are inhabited by residents who were relocated after the flash flood disaster caused by Cyclone Seroja in April 2021.

Erlina Dangu, PIA Manager Lembata said that based on the results of a rapid needs assessment conducted on June 14-15, as many as 1,874 people or 570 families were affected by the drought that occurred in the 5 settlements. This drought also affects the health and safety of residents, especially children.

“The lack of clean water also causes children, especially girls, to spend time at the well to draw water. This condition will threaten the security and safety of girls when told to fetch water for daily needs. In addition, girls pay less attention to their personal hygiene, including menstrual health due to the lack of clean water,” said Erlina.

Ovin (12 years old), one of the children assisted by Plan Indonesia, also felt the impact of the drought in Lembata Regency. The lack of clean water prevents Ovin from studying comfortably at school, especially during menstruation.

“During the lack of clean water, I rarely bathe before going to school. Not to mention that I have to save water, making it difficult to maintain personal hygiene during menstruation. After school, I also have less time to rest because I have to look for water,” said Ovin.

Seeing that this situation has a huge impact, especially on girls, Plan Indonesia distributes clean water five times a week. A total of 5,000 liters of clean water is distributed from Monday to Friday. Ovin and her family receive 400 liters of clean water a day.

“I am happy with this assistance, because we are greatly helped and also Plan Indonesia is the first organization to provide clean water assistance at this time. I am more diligent in going to school,” said Ovin.

The distribution of clean water was carried out from June 26 to August 16, 2023. A total of 225 tank trucks or more than one million liters of clean water were distributed to residents in need.

The residents have experienced difficulties in accessing clean water since they were relocated to this new settlement. However, the condition has worsened with the onset of the dry season, making clean water even more difficult to obtain.

“The condition of the residents in this village, totaling around 138 families with 400 inhabitants, is very difficult to get clean water. Especially during the dry season, each head of household must prepare at least one hundred thousand to 200 thousand per month to be able to buy clean water to meet the needs of four to five days,” said Mus, a resident in the Tanah Merah settlement.

In addition to distributing clean water, Plan Indonesia also campaigned for a water-saving movement, ensuring the protection of children and women when collecting water, and educating a clean lifestyle with minimal water. Plan Indonesia also encourages the Lembata government to continue providing assistance to residents and prepare drought preparedness actions in Lembata. (**)

Notes for Media:

About Yayasan Plan International Indonesia (Plan Indonesia)

Plan International has been working in Indonesia since 1969 and officially became Yayasan Plan International Indonesia (Plan Indonesia) in 2017. We work to fight for the fulfillment of children’s rights and equality for girls. Together with youth groups and networks, we work to ensure meaningful participation of young people in decision-making that impacts the fulfillment of children’s rights and equality for girls. We also mobilize resources with partners, such as the private sector, donor agencies, philanthropic foundations, and individual donors, to have a broader impact on Indonesian children. Plan Indonesia implements its activities through four programs, namely Child Protection and Growth and Development, Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health, Skills and Opportunities for Youth Economic Empowerment, and Resilience and Humanity. We work in 7 provinces, including East Nusa Tenggara, West Nusa Tenggara, Central Sulawesi, North Sulawesi, DKI Jakarta, Central Java, and West Java, with a target to empower 1 million girls. Plan Indonesia also mentors 36 thousand children in East Nusa Tenggara.

Spokepersons: • Ida Ngurah, Humanitarian & Resilience Program Manager • Erlina Dangu, Emergency Response Team & PIA Manager Lembata

Media Contact: Muhammad Reysa, Communications Specialist E: [email protected] WA: 08534295502