The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said in a statement there was "a strong possibility of far worse to come" after torrential rains hit the island of Sumatra at the end of last year.

Weather services have announced that the island can expect up to 28 days of rain during the month.

Jambi and Riau provinces were particularly hard hit by the floods, with more than 34,000 houses, nearly 300 schools, over 90 bridges, 110 mosques, 70 health centers and 245 orange plantations inundated.

The funds are to provide tarpaulin shelters and other immediate relief to some 5,340 families, or about 25,000 people who have been accommodated in makeshift camps, by roadsides or in community buildings such as mosques or schools.

If weather conditions do not improve hundreds of thousands of people could be forced to leave their homes, a situation potentially far greater than the floods of two years ago, when up to 400,000 people fled their homes.

Indonesian Red Cross staff and volunteers are to lead the relief operation funded by the appeal.

TERRA.WIRE