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

Encounters with the Syariah Police: A Few Points from UNORC

As encounters with the Syariah Police are on the rise, UNORC would like to emphasize a few points to help avoid any potential misunderstandings and inconveniences. Please share this knowledge with your staff in order to ensure they are aware of their rights and are fully prepared to handle any potential encounters with the Syariah Police and/or other enforcement officers.

Office and House Raids

A clearance/notification letter, issued by the police, the Syariah Police or the military, is necessary for the any raid of an organization’s office or house (this includes both staff and privately leased houses). Should your office or house be raided you have the right to ask for this letter.

In order for a raid to be legitimate, officers from the following three institutions must be present: the police, the Syariah Police, and the military. Note that both the police officer and the Syariah police officer must be in uniform.

If an officer from one of the three institutions mentioned above does not come, and/or there is no official letter, contact the police at their emergency number 0655-755-1110 and request the police come to your office or house (please share your identification information when you contact them).

Street Raids

Should you be stopped on the street by the police and have an uncomfortable encounter, please take note of the officer’s name. UNORC asks that you document this encounter and give a copy of your report to our office. We will then follow up with the appropriate government authorities on your behalf.

Dewi Elyana
OIC UNORC
Telephone: 0812-105-0833

Cultural Recommendations from UNORC

Due to the number of new NGO staff in Aceh Barat and Nagan Raya, UNORC would like to share some important cultural advice for all newcomers. Much of this advice is based on lessons learned by individuals and organizations in Aceh Barat. Therefore, UNORC asks that you please take the following information seriously.

Dewi Elyana, UNORC

DO

Ask your organization to report your presence at the Meulaboh police station. Here you will be issued a Surat Tanda Melapor (SDM). Carry this letter with you at all times. If the police ask you for your SDM and you fail to produce it you may be fined Rp 5,000,000.

Always extend your visa permit at least two weeks prior its expiration date – delays are not uncommon.

When you move into a new house, inform the community leader in your neighborhood. This is a standard practice in Indonesia that does not just apply to expats, but to everyone.

Socialize with your immediate community and try to support their events. If your neighborhood is planning an event (e.g. Independence Day, Meugang, Idul Adha, etc.) and request your financial support, it’s better to provide a small amount of money than reject their proposal (Rp 20 – 50,000 is usually sufficient).

Wear appropriate clothes that will not attract the attention of the community. Women are not allowed to wear sleeveless shirts, pants or skirts above the knee or transparent clothes in public.

Drink your alcohol beverages inside your house.

If you intend to hold a social gathering in the evening keep it modest and maintain a low profile.

Don’t play your music loud enough for your neighbors to hear it.

DO NOT

Unmarried couples should not be alone in the same room after 10 p.m. If you have a girlfriend or boyfriend, please be very respectful and discreet in your neighborhood. This is especially important if you are an expat and your girlfriend or boyfriend is Indonesian. Your immediate community maintains the right, based on Syariah Law, to forcefully enter your house should there be suspicion about what is happening inside your house.

Don’t bring alcohol drinks to public areas, such as the beach.

Don’t wear a swimming suit or bikini at the beach. Your torso and shoulders should always be covered as well as your knees.

If you are female, avoid smoking in public areas (this is especially important for both national and local staff).

Women do not typically smoke in Aceh and if you smoke you may receive unwanted attention and damage your reputation.