Residents of Aceh province on Sumatra island displayed white flags to call for help after massive flooding from storms killed over a thousand people. They criticized the government for delayed aid and shortages of clean water, food, and medicine. Meanwhile, President Prabowo Subianto rejected international assistance, stating the situation was "under control," amid mounting pressure to declare a national disaster.
For several weeks, residents in Aceh province—the northernmost area of Indonesia—have raised "white flags" above their damaged homes and at mosques to signal despair to the global community, after the central government faced heavy criticism for slow response to the major floods that began in November.
A rare cyclone in November brought heavy rain and prolonged flooding, causing over 1,000 deaths and displacing hundreds of thousands, especially in Aceh province, which suffered the worst damage. Many people still lack access to clean water, food, electricity, and medicine.
Tensions escalated to the point where the governor of North Aceh broke down in tears on camera, asking, "Does the central government not realize what we are facing?" Locals described current conditions as "worse than the 2004 tsunami," since foreign aid then arrived rapidly, but this time they feel abandoned and forced to "fight like zombies" over scarce food supplies.
Despite calls to declare a national disaster to unlock emergency funds, President Prabowo Subianto refused and insisted, "Indonesia can overcome this disaster on its own." Reports indicate the government rejected relief goods such as 30 tons of rice from the United Arab Emirates, citing central government policies. Analysts interpret the refusal of foreign aid as Prabowo's attempt to assert sovereignty and protect the government's image from appearing ineffective in crisis management.
Although Prabowo's approval rating remains around 78%, his administration faces intense scrutiny over issues including a free school lunch policy that caused widespread food poisoning and previous protests over rising living costs.
Environmental groups also blame the government's support for palm oil plantation expansion policies as a key factor driving deforestation and worsening the severity of the floods.
Currently, many affected areas remain cut off due to damaged roads and infrastructure. Many residents are uncertain when life will return to normal. Meanwhile, children in the disaster zones have yet to resume schooling, as schools and markets remain submerged.
/sourceBBC