The Red Zone

  JEN support to the affected people of devastating earthquake is ongoing in the villages of West Sumatera Island. Thousands of houses destroyed and people lives in temporary shelters, mosques, schools or with neighbors. Many shops, schools and office buildings destroyed completely because of the earthquake.

  JEN is operating all the activities from the Provincial Capital Padang city. Padang city is located very near to the Indian Ocean. Because of the recent earthquake, there is possibility of aftershocks. Those aftershocks can create Tsunami in the area. Therefore Government declared all the areas near to the beach as a red zone. Wealthy people who were living in the houses near to the beach are fleeing their houses and coming to the center of the city to stay. However, majority of the people are still staying there because they cannot afford to live in expensive central Padang city.

  That is the reason why, almost all the houses in the safe central Padang are occupied and a few are available for rent. The rent required by the owner is too high. Many International NGOs including JEN who are staying at Padang City are facing the problem to search the space for the office in good location.

  There are houses available but those are within red zone and far from the main city. JEN is facing the problem where to live, red zone, unsecured area, or to remain staying at hotel.