Floods in Meulaboh: An Update from UNORC

Situation:

Early morning high tides hit Meulaboh Thursday, May 17 and Friday, May 18, affecting several villages along the coast, including Pasir, Suak Indrapuri, Kampung Belakang, Ujung Kalak, Kuta Padang, Panggong, Suak Ribee, and Lhok Bubon.

Many housing projects along the costal areas have been totally flooded by the high tide and hundreds of houses in the region have retained sea water at heights estimated between 30-60 cm. Pasir Village and Kampong Belakang are the most affected areas. Many residents have left their houses. Additionally, hundreds of houses currently under construction by NGOs have been flooded.

It is speculated that the primary reason why the sea water is not receding properly is because of inadequate city drainage.

Statiscal data as May 17, 2007 (3 pm):

Transmigration Dinas Office. Total of 202 families (650 people) are displaced from three villages: S. Indapuri (141 families/440 people, Kampung Belakang (59 families/200 people), and Pasar Aceh (2 families/10 people). *

SDN 13 Ujong Kalak. Total of 319 families (1693 people) are displaced from the Ujong Kalak villages. *

*The numbers of IDPs continues to fluctuate. Additionally, during the UN site visits we learned that the majority of the displaced families were able to save their belongings.

Addressing the Situation:

A UNDP excavator, under the direction of Cipta Karya Dinas, is now operating in those affected areas now, in an attempt to clean the mud from the gutters and drainages.

Currently, the IDPs are located at the Transmigration/ KLK building in Lapang Village as well as the contracted labor construction. This to address to issues on the poor quality of city drainage.

NGOs, Red Cross Movement and UN Agencies have agreed to target 1000 people in response to this high tide natural disaster and focus on the relocation sites. Assitance will cover both non food items and food items (except rice).

The local government has assisted with food items (rice and eggs) as well as communal tents and cooking sets at Transmigration building at Lapang and SDN 13, behind Meuligo Hotel, where Ujung Kalak and Pasir communities remain present.

The identified needs at the concentration point areas are tarpaulin tents, plastic sheeting, portable water, hygiene kits, meals, cooking materials, and blankets. Mr. Fredrick (0811987282) from UNICEF is the focal point for non food items distribution assistance. UNORC will coordinate with all the agencies and government in terms of assistance provided.

Should you need further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Dewi and Firman
Meulaboh Field Office of the UN Recovery Coordinator for Aceh and Nias (UNORC)
unorc.meulaboh@gmail.com
Dewi: 08121050833
Woro: 08126990542
Patar: 08126989607
Firman: 08126989605
Vivi: 0811198420

Classifieds

Seeking

Refrigerator
If you're selling your refrigerator, please contact Pepen at 0812-693-8297

Bicycles
Looking to buy 2 Polygon bicycles (preferably for a man and a woman). Please contact Ellen at 0813-625-12518.

Cat Seeking Loving Home
SFM (Small Furry Male) seeks two-legged male or female for long-term friendship. "With my long ears, silky fur, and curly tail, I’ve been called a “unique-looking animal,” with a quirky personality to match. Curious and sociable, I appreciate the good things in life—eating, exploring, and napping. No candlelit dinners or long walks on the beach for me, but I’m always (well, usually) up for a cuddle." If you’re patient and loving, with a sense of humour, and want to get to know Meulaboh’s coolest cat a little better, we need to talk.

Yes, that is Solomon, the cat you read about in the early days of My Meulaboh! He’s blinder now than when that article was written, but also a lot mellower, though still entertaining. As of the end of June when I’ll be leaving Meulaboh, he needs a caring home. (Actually, I’d really like to take him with me, but I’m not sure it’s the best thing for him). For more info, please e-mail me, Brenda, at bfitzpatrick@id.seapro.crs.org Please spread the word!

Downtown My Meulaboh Map

My Meulaboh Map (General)

Stores and Services

Emergency Numbers

Ambulance
0813-6012-5859

General Emergency
0655-110 (or 110 from a flexi phone)

Special Unit for Traffic Accidents
0813-608-70101

Medical

UN Medical Clinic
Located at the UNDP/UNORC Office
Lr. Harimau
Mondays—Thursdays, 10—4 p.m.
Nurse Gina
0812-601-6722

Post Office

Meulaboh Kantor Pos
Jl. Merdeka (on the peninsula)
Open Monday– Thurs, 8 a.m.—2.30 p.m.
Friday, 8 a.m.-11.30 a.m.
Saturday, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

Exercise & Health

Olympia Fitness Center
Jl. Cendrawasih No. 16 (off of Jl. Nasional)
Hp: 0815-338-33924
Daily visit Rp. 10,000
One month membership Rp. 80,000
This workout room has both free weights and a few ‘machines.’ It may not be the largest selection of equipment, but hopefully it will do the trick!

Massage
Masseuse named Eti will massage at your home (women only). Rp 50,000 for an hour and a half (in addition to money for becak).
085-220-215-172

Travel

AA Tours
Jl. Guerutee, No. 20
Contact person: Albar
HP 0812-694-7050
To hire a car to Medan, expect to pay Rp. 200,000/per person one way (7 people per car) or Rp. 1.2 million/per car.

CV, Sari Lestari Tours
Jl. Manek Roo, No. 10Contact person: Dadek
HP 0852-6003-8090
Rent a kijang for a day for Rp. 550,000 w/driver; w/o driver Rp. 450,000 (rates may be negotiable)

MAF (Mission Aviation Fellowship), Meulaboh/Medan
0813-700-0461

Susi Air, Meulaboh
0655-7012-888
0852-6052-8728

Internet

Garuda_Inc Internet Cafe
Jalan Tengku Cik Di Rundeng
Open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day
Former NGO worker, Rachmad Kurniady, opened this 24 hour Internet Café in April 2006. Plenty of computers are equipped with a fast Internet connection. Friendly café and Rachmad speaks English! Rp. 7,000/hour or Rp. 15,000 for unlimited use from midnight—6 a.m.

Meulaboh Net
Jl. Manek Roo No. 38
Open Mon—Sat, 9.30 a.m.—6.00 p.m.
Sunday, 12 p.m.—6 p.m.
Although it’s not the fastest Internet, there are 6 computers and two cables for laptops available here. Rp. 5,000 for 30 minutes/ Rp. 9,000 for 1 hour.

Tartaba Net
Open daily, hours vary
Jl. Manek Roo, No. 8
This internet ‘café’ has individual cubicles, providing privacy for its Internet users. Don’t expect to drop by to check your email quickly – the connection is a bit slow. Rp 6,000 for 30 minutes /
Rp 9,000 for 1 hour.

Barber

Rahmat Pangkas Rambut
Jl. Manek Roo (on the north side between the canal and Singgah Mata)
Open daily, 8.30 a.m. – 9.30 p.m.
For Rp 10,000 men can get a meticulous haircut and shoulder rub in this air-conditioned barber shop.

Tailor

Centre Mulia Hati (Sewing Training)
Jl. Sentosa, No. 59
Open Monday—Friday, 9 a.m.—5 p.m.
The sewing students are happy to shorten trousers/jeans, or to make traditional (Acehnese) shirts, bedspreads, and many other items.

Penjahit COT KUTA
Jl. Blang Pulo/Blang Meuria (if you’re on Jl. T. Umar headed toward the peninsula, turn left onto Jl. Blang Pulo when you see the large white house on your right)
Have you torn your pants getting out of a becak? Have your pants, or any clothing items, repaired here — excellent craftsmanship. They also tailor shirts!

Passport Photos

Surya Foto
Jl. Nasional, No. 44
Open daily 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Listen to Scorpion and Bon Jovi while they take your passport photos upstairs. Ask for Azmi S. for all your printing needs — very adept at using PhotoShop.

Bike Shop

Ingin Damai
Jl. Singgah Mata (to the left of Deli)
Open Daily, 8 a.m.—5 p.m.
Fair bike prices and carries the Polygon brand. If you can’t find the Polygon bike of your choosing, ask to see the catalog and they will try to order it from Medan. Bike helmets are not available (seems you must buy one in Medan).

Bike Maintenance

RKM Spareparts
Jl. Nasional (between Eva Kalori II and Zahwa)
When your tires feel low and your gears are in need of a lubing, stop by this little motorcycle repair shop. Happy to work on bicycles for a minimal fee.

Department Stores

Zahwa Fashion
Jl. Nasional, near BNI
Open daily, 8 a.m. — 10 p.m.
Carries men’s, women’s and children’s clothes, with price tags (non-negotiable)! Great place for women to find tunics.

Mitra
Jl. Iksandar Muda, No. 7-8 (to the left of Mandiri)
Open daily, 9 a.m.—10 p.m.
New store selling trendy men’s apparel, including baseball caps, funky t-shirts and men’s accessories. Upstairs find a wide selection of women’s tunics, displayed by their vibrant colors.

Electronics

Brunei Electronics
Jl. Nasional, No. 37 (look for the oversized LG sign)
Open daily, 8 a.m. — 6 p.m.
Are you waiting to replace your broken DVD player until the next time you make a trip into Medan? Well, wait no longer. The staff at Brunei is willing to negotiate fair prices (as long as you don’t support George Bush) for DVD players, TVs, refrigerators and stereos. If you’re unsure where to start, ask for the brand “LG;” some say it’s the best quality in town.

Furniture

Atakana
Jl. Nasional, No. 101
Experienced bamboo furniture designer and maker, Yusup, will custom build a piece for your home. Reasonably priced and great quality! Many happy Meulabohite customers give him their endorsement.

Outdoor Equipment

Factor X Outdoor
Open Mon-Thurs & Sat, 9—5 p.m.
Jl Manek Roo
If you’re headed into Gunung Leuser National Park and want to buy a backpack, outdoor sandals, or belaying equipment, this is the store for you.

Supermarkets

Eva Kalori II
Open daily, 9 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Jl. Nasional (to the left of Zahwa)
This new supermarket seems to have the typical array food items and toiletries, in addition to gigantic stuffed animals and Peanut M&Ms.

Istana Market
Jl. T. Umar, No. 155 B.D. (to the left of Hong Kong Seafood)
Open daily, 8 a.m.—10 p.m.
This new and well organized store makes for a pleasant shopping experience. Good place to find flour, specifically for cake and bread. While you’re there, check out the upstairs! Supplies for the kitchen, stationary, and a mix of random items are here in abundance—and all are marked with price tags.

Jasa Tamita
Jl. Sisingamangaraja, No. 16
Open daily, 7 a.m.—10 p.m.
If you’re headed toward Café Mulia Hati from Manek Roo, this mini-market is on the corner of Jl. Sentosa.

Mandiri
Jl. Iskandar Muda, No. 13-15-17
Mondays—Saturdays, 8 a.m.—10 p.m.
Sundays, 8 a.m.—evening
The largest supermarket Meulaboh has to offer. You can find a variety of non-perishable items here from pasta to peanut butter. If you’re looking for boxed juice and milk, Mandiri seems to have the most consistent supply.

Aceh Souvenirs

Cinta Damai
Jl. Gajah Mada (just a few doors left of the Bupati’s office)
Open daily, 8 a.m. — 6 p.m.
A slightly smaller souvenir shop, specializing in religious items. They do carry velvet heart shaped Aceh key chains— the perfect “oleh-oleh” to slip into a card and mail home.

Souvenir Pusaka Aceh
Jl. Nasional No. 117, next to BPD
Open Mon — Sat, 8 a.m. — 10 p.m.
Sundays, 10 a.m. — 5 p.m.
Find your embroidered handicrafts, Acehnese daggers and several Meulaboh t-shirts here (Rp 50,000). Friendly staff!

Souvenir Ummi
Jl. Imam Bonjol No. 50-52
Jl. Mesjid No. 2,3
Open daily, 7.30 — late (they also live there, so if they’re closed they said to pound on the shop door).
Nice selection of embroidered bags and traditional attire.

Restaurants and Warungs

Western Food

Café Aneka
Jl. Merdeka (on peninsula, adjacent to Post Office)
Open Daily, 8 a.m.—10 p.m.
For Rp. 5,000 treat yourself to a real dish of ice-cream...with sprinkles!

Café Mulia Hati (aka SP Café)
Jl. Sentosa, No. 59
Open Wednesday-Saturday, 9 a.m.—9 p.m., Sunday, 9 a.m.— 8 p.m.
(snacks/cakes served in morning; lunches begin at 11 a.m.)
085-660-73488 (delivery)
A well-loved restaurant to get your Western ‘food fix,’ from burritos to cheesecake. Set away from the street underneath a thatched roof, the quiet ambience is a pleasant change from the typical vroom of Meulaboh’s motorcycles. 10% discount on Wednesdays and Thursdays between 6– 8 p.m. Staff delivers to convenient locations in town. Don’t forget to get your loaf of wheat bread (now you can purchase the same day)!

Gaminong
Jl. Gajah Mada No. 4 (across from the Bupati’s Office)
The tuna with blackened pepper sauce is the preferred dish of many. Gisele recommends trying their star fruit juice — just say you’d like a “Jus Belimbing.”

Indonesian Dishes

Albira Café
Jl. Nasional, No. 147 (near Spanish Red Cross)
Open daily, 9 a.m.— 1 a.m.
Clean and cozy restaurant with rattan décor. The gado-gado and sate are recommended by the owner, but the sate is only available in the evening.

Bombay

Jl. Sisingamangaraja (approx 1/2 from the hospital intersection on the right)
Open daily, 9 a.m. - 1 a.m.
Restaurant owner, Pak Hengky Randa, claims Bombay's nasi goreng has a long standing reputation as the best in town. Although I haven't tried it, I can verify that the wok used to cook the nasi goreng is amongst one of the biggest in town. The nasi goreng spesial (chicken and shrimp) is their best seller for Rp. 17,000.

Café Kenangan
Jln. Syah Kuala, Suak Ribee
(right after the wooden bridge)
Open daily, 7 a.m.—7 p.m.
Spicy mie goreng and upside down “Kopi Aceh,” but the real treat is sitting in the small huts along the river. Expect to pay between Rp. 4—5,000 for the mie goreng.

Metro Café
Jl. Iskandar Muda (to the right of Mandiri)
Open daily, 11 a.m.— 11 p.m.
Clean and pleasant, you’ll find your typical Indonesian fare here. The nasi goreng special (fried rice, chicken, fried egg, and a couple crispy side dishes) is a great deal for only Rp 12,000.

Mie Kocok
Jl. Geurutee
Open daily, 9 a.m.—10 p.m.
Excellent juices and noodle dishes set amid a clean and friendly atmosphere. The "regulars" recommend the mie kocok spesial. Don’t forget to try the avocado ‘juice’!

Monggo Mas
Jl. Swadaya No. 5
“Online 24 Jam” (if you can figure out what this means, please let me know!)
Sate ayam is a specialty here, as well as the juices.

Mulia Café
Jl. Sisingamangaraja (approx 250 meters north of Bombay)
Open daily, 7 a.m.—11 p.m.
If you’re from Java and craving some of the foods from home, stop by Mulia Café for Nasi Timbel or Nasi Uduk. Or if you’re just in the mood for Padang food, you can find that as well at this quaint café with an alang-alang roof. Their most popular item is the Lontong — try it for breakfast.

Top Café
Jl. Iskandar Muda (between Mandiri and the Mercy Corps office)
Open daily, 11 a.m.—10 p.m.
One of the favorite Padang food restaurants amongst the humanitarian community. The chicken and fish are particularly tasty.

Wahyu Jaya
Jl. Gajah Mada, No. 12
(near Manek Roo and a few stalls to the left of the warung “Happy”)
Open daily, 7 a.m. — 10 p.m.
Although a variety of local foods are served here, Wahyu Jaya has arguably the best soto ayam and perkedels in town. There’s just something about the spices in this soto that we haven’t found elsewhere. Soto ayam is Rp. 12,000 and perkedels are Rp. 500.

Warung Suroboyo

Jl. Gajah Mada, across from the Bupati's Office

Popular warung that specializes in sate (both ayam and kambing) as well as ayam goreng. The tempe penyet is delicious, but has quite a kick to it! Sate kambing Rp. 14,000

Seafood

Café Lobster
Jalan Tengku Cik Di Rundeng
(next to Garuda_Inc Internet Café)
Open daily, 4 pm – closing
While we know mie lobster starts at Rp. 30,000, this restaurant has yet to be reviewed. You can be the first! Stop by the café and post your comments!

Deli
Jl. Singgah Mata, No. 150
Open daily, 10 a.m.—10 p.m.
Don’t let the name confuse you; there’s no deli at Deli. But, this seafood restaurant is a favorite of expats and locals, alike. Popular choices are crab, steamed fish, multiple shrimp dishes and, of course, its wide selection of beverages. And if you’re a vegetarian, Right to Play recommends coming here for shitake mushrooms, cap cay or the Chinese omelet.

Hong Kong Seafood
Jl. T. Umar
Open daily, 10 a.m. — midnight
Hp 085-677-31948; flexi 0655-700-8243
Friendly father/son team from Jakarta has brought new menu items to Meulaboh! Specialty item is fried prawns in oyster sauce. Have a variety of options other than seafood on the menu, including both beef and vegetarian dishes. Feel free to call in advance and order ahead!

Mie Kepiting (Crab Noodles)
Corner of Jl. Makam Pahlawan &
Jl. Garuda, Rundeng
Select your own crab and enjoy a fresh meal of boiled crab over noodles blended with tomatoes, chilies and onions. Set on a quiet street outside of downtown, watch the neighborhood children play as you eat a leisurely dinner.

Coffee and Juices

Café Sunset
Jl. H. Abd Rahman (next to Café Teratak)
Pantai Batu Putih, Suak Ribee
Open daily, 7 a.m.—Sunset
Enjoy a juice, coconut or mie goreng and watch the waves crash on the sand. This family owned warung also serves up a challenging cup of “Kopi Aceh.” It may take a little practice before you can master drinking an upside down cup of coffee.

Café Teratak Tua
Jl. H. Abd Rahman (next to Café Sunset)
Pantai Batu Putih, Suak Ribee
Open daily, 7 a.m.—Sunset
This little beach warung has possibly the quaintest benches in Meulaboh—they swing! Sit here with the sand beneath your feet and enjoy a refreshing coconut (Rp. 3,000).

Kantin Laguna
Suak Ribee Beach
Open daily, 7 a.m.—7 p.m.
Sip a coconut on ice while watching the sunset. While the tables are simple, it’s hard to beat the location. Coconuts are Rp. 3,000.

Warkop Jembes
Jl. Nasional (on the right, immediately before the Meureubo bridge)
Open daily, 6 a.m.— 6 p.m.
One of the most bustling coffee shops in town, this warung has plenty of seating and more atmosphere than most. Cake is served with coffee for an additional Rp. 500 per slice.

Warung Minuman
Jl. Nasional (on the left, immediately after the Meureubo bridge)
Open daily, 6 a.m.—5 p.m.
If you haven’t tried a fresh sugar cane juice, you’re missing out. Situated in a prime location above the river, take a break and watch the warung owner feed the sugar cane sticks through the old-fashioned juicer.