Water Problem in Gunung Kidul - Four Years After Yogyakarta Quake

On 27th May possibly 2006, a serious earthquake with a power calculated at 6.3 on the Richter scale ruined areas of the Indonesian island of Java. The epicentre of the quake was only 30 kilometres south of the town of wisata jogja. Particularly badly struck were Bantul District in Yogyakarta Province, and Klaten Center in the Central Java Province. Nevertheless, nearby areas including the Gunung Kidul District were also significantly damaged. The earthquake took the lives of some 5,800 people, wounded thousands, and taken a lot more than 300,000 people homeless. In the immediate aftermath of the quake, some Non Government Organizations supplied disaster assistance, later followed closely by giving help in the reconstruction work. To restore or improve people's living conditions, income-generating measures may also be implemented.Gunung Kidul received little help in the aid and reconstruction phase. Even prior to the earthquake, it had been already among the economically most vulnerable parts of Indonesia. The soils and the hydro-geological condition are major reasons for the poverty in the region. Rain is easily drained off through the karst substrate, which hence leads to a scenario of extreme drought throughout the dry season from May to October. Furthermore, the earthquake had an impact on the hydro-geological problems and caused an additional significant damage in the water supply situation. Consequently of the quake, many formerly trusted wells in the sub-villages dried out, and some springs arrived at other area points or ceased flowing altogether. Due to a suprisingly low income level, lots of the households can't purchase water. Thus, many poorer people specifically need to invest disproportionately significant attempts to meet up their domestic water requirements. To acquire water during six months dry season, lots of people are forced to cover long distances by walking to the nearest water supply. Enough time needed for these trips are at the trouble of creating capacity. It's mainly women who are affected.With help from International and National Non Government Organization, most of stakeholders and community participation, water condition in Gunung Kidul is getting better. People specially girls don't have to go 1-2 hours to the water source/springs to have water. At least 30 litres of water per day per person, available from shops found not more than 300 yards away from the respective houses.