Water Problem in Gunung Kidul - Four Years After Yogyakarta Earthquake

A serious earthquake with a force measured at 6.3 on the Richter scale ruined areas of the Indonesian island of Java, on 27th May 2006. The epicentre of the earthquake was just 30 kilometres south of the city of wisata jogja. Specifically poorly struck were Bantul District in Yogyakarta State, and Klaten District in the Central Java Province. However, neighbouring regions such as the Gunung Kidul District were also seriously damaged. The earthquake took the lives of some 5,800 people, wounded countless amounts, and rendered significantly more than 300,000 people displaced. In the immediate aftermath of the quake, disaster aid was provided by some Non Government Organizations, later accompanied by giving support in the reconstruction work. To revive or enhance people's living conditions, income-generating procedures are also implemented.Gunung Kidul received little assistance in the aid and reconstruction period. Even before the earthquake, it had been already among the economically most susceptible elements of Indonesia. The nutrient-poor soils and the hydro-geological situation are important reasons for the poverty in the region. Rainwater is easily drained off through the karst substrate, which hence leads to a scenario of severe famine during the dry season from Might to October. In addition, the earthquake had a direct effect on the hydro-geological problems and caused another significant damage in the water supply situation. As a result of the quake, many formerly trusted wells in the sub-villages dried out, and some springs arrived on the scene at different surface points or stopped going entirely. Due to a very low income level, water is bought by many of the households cannot. Thus, many poorer households particularly need certainly to spend disproportionately large attempts to generally meet their domestic water requirements. Many people are forced to cover long distances on foot to the nearest water source, to acquire water during six months dry season. these visits reaches the expense of getting capacity the full time needed. It's mostly women who're affected.With help from International and National Non Government Organization, most of stakeholders and community involvement, water condition in Gunung Kidul is getting better. People specially women do not need certainly to walk 1-2 hours to the water source/springs to obtain water. At least 30 litres of water per day per individual, available from retailers situated not more than 300 yards away from the respective properties.