Aceh Province Displays White Flags Amid Flood Aftermath
Residents in Indonesia's westernmost province of Aceh have been displaying white flags following a series of floods. The floods, triggered by a rare cyclone in November, resulted in over 1,000 fatalities and displaced hundreds of thousands across Sumatra island. Aceh, which accounted for nearly half of the reported deaths, continues to experience limited access to clean water, food, electricity, and medical supplies.
Government Response and Declination of Foreign Aid
Earlier this month, Ismail A Jalil, the governor of North Aceh, expressed emotion publicly regarding the situation, stating, "Does the central government not know [what we're experiencing]? I don't understand." President Prabowo Subianto's administration has declined foreign aid offers, asserting that the situation is "under control." Last week, President Subianto informed his cabinet, "Indonesia is capable of overcoming this disaster." The administration has also not declared the situation a national disaster, a measure that would unlock emergency funds and streamline relief efforts.
Challenges and Public Demonstrations
President Subianto's administration, which began in February 2024, has faced criticism regarding its responsiveness and organization. This year, a flagship free school meals program encountered controversy over mass food poisonings. In August and September, significant protests occurred across Indonesia concerning unemployment and increasing living costs. Despite these challenges, President Subianto's approval ratings have remained at approximately 78%.
On a recent Thursday, dozens of individuals protested in Banda Aceh, the capital of Aceh, displaying white flags and requesting that the central government accept foreign aid. Protesters described the white flags, commonly associated with surrender, as a signal for international solidarity. Husnul Khawatinnissa, a participant in the rally, stated, "The flags do not mean we are giving in. They are a distress signal to grab the attention of friends outside, to let them know the conditions in Aceh today are very bad." Another demonstrator, Nurmi Ali, questioned the ongoing lack of clean water.
Provincial authorities, including the Aceh governor, have contacted the United Nations for assistance and welcomed support from any source. The Prabowo administration has indicated that relief operations are underway nationally and has disbursed approximately 60 trillion rupiah ($3.6 billion) for reconstruction efforts.
Historical Context
For some residents in Aceh, the current situation evokes memories of the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami. That event, caused by a magnitude 9.1 undersea earthquake, generated waves up to 30 meters high and led to an estimated 230,000 deaths across more than a dozen countries. Aceh was severely affected by the 2004 tsunami.
Residents have noted that relief efforts following the 2004 tsunami were perceived as more rapid, despite its greater devastation. The 2004 recovery received billions of dollars from various countries, multilateral agencies, and private organizations, and the Indonesian government established a dedicated agency to manage funds and aid projects. Rindu Majalina, a flood survivor and mother of three, described intense competition for supplies in her village.
Several countries have offered aid. For instance, the UAE dispatched 30 tonnes of rice and 300 relief packages to Medan, another flood-affected city. These supplies were subsequently returned by authorities, who cited "guidance" from the central government.