🔗 Share this article Anger Grows as Residents Fly Flags of Distress Over Inadequate Flood Assistance Residents in Indonesia's Aceh province are raising pale banners as a signal for worldwide support. Over recent weeks, frustrated and suffering locals in the province of Aceh have been hoisting flags of surrender in protest of the official slow aid efforts to a series of deadly deluges. Caused by a unusual storm in last November, the flooding claimed the lives of more than 1,000 individuals and displaced hundreds of thousands across the region of Sumatra island. In Aceh, the worst-hit region which accounted for nearly 50% of the deaths, many yet are without ready access to safe drinking water, nourishment, power and healthcare resources. A Leader's Public Outburst In a demonstration of just how difficult handling the situation has proven to be, the leader of a region in Aceh broke down in public earlier this month. "Does the authorities in Jakarta not know [our suffering]? I don't understand," a weeping Ismail A Jalil said in front of cameras. But Leader Prabowo Subianto has declined foreign help, maintaining the state of affairs is "being handled." "Indonesia is capable of managing this crisis," he told his ministers in a recent meeting. He has also thus far overlooked calls to declare it a national disaster, which would release emergency funds and facilitate recovery operations. Mounting Scrutiny of the Administration Prabowo's administration has increasingly been criticised as reactive, chaotic and out of touch – terms that some analysts argue have come to define his presidency, which he secured in last February riding a wave of popular commitments. Even this year, his signature multi-billion dollar school nutrition scheme has been mired in issues over widespread food poisonings. In August and September, a great number of people protested over joblessness and rising living expenses, in what were some of the most significant demonstrations the country has experienced in decades. Currently, his government's response to November's deluge has proven to be another test for the official, even as his poll numbers have held steady at approximately 78%. Urgent Pleas for Help A significant number in Aceh still do not have consistent availability to clean water, nourishment and electricity. Last Thursday, a group of activists rallied in Banda Aceh, Banda Aceh, displaying white flags and insisting that the national authorities opens the door to foreign aid. Standing in the crowd was a small girl carrying a piece of paper, which said: "I am just very young, I hope to grow up in a secure and sustainable world." Although normally viewed as a sign for giving up, the pale banners that have appeared all over the region – atop collapsed rooftops, beside washed-away banks and near places of worship – are a call for international solidarity, those involved contend. "These banners do not signify we are giving in. They serve as a SOS to attract the attention of the world outside, to let them know the conditions in Aceh today are truly desperate," said one local. Whole villages have been destroyed, while broad damage to transport links and infrastructure has also stranded numerous people. Survivors have described sickness and hunger. "How long more must we bathe in mud and contaminated water," cried a individual. Local authorities have contacted the UN for help, with the provincial leader stating he is open to aid "from all sources". National authorities has claimed relief efforts are in progress on a "large scale", adding that it has allocated some billions ($3.6bn) for reconstruction projects. Disaster Returns Among residents in the province, the situation brings back painful recollections of the 2004 devastating tidal wave, among the most devastating natural disasters on record. A massive ocean earthquake unleashed a tidal wave that triggered waves as high as 30m in height which slammed into the Indian Ocean coastline that morning, killing an estimated a quarter of a million people in more than a dozen nations. The province, already affected by a long-running conflict, was one of the hardest-hit. Residents say they had barely finished rebuilding their communities when tragedy returned in last November. Assistance was delivered faster following the 2004 Indian Ocean disaster, even though it was much more devastating, they say. Numerous countries, global bodies like the International Monetary Fund, and private organisations poured vast sums into the rebuilding process. The Jakarta then set up a specific office to coordinate funds and reconstruction work. "Everyone acted and the people rebuilt {quickly|
Residents in Indonesia's Aceh province are raising pale banners as a signal for worldwide support. Over recent weeks, frustrated and suffering locals in the province of Aceh have been hoisting flags of surrender in protest of the official slow aid efforts to a series of deadly deluges. Caused by a unusual storm in last November, the flooding claimed the lives of more than 1,000 individuals and displaced hundreds of thousands across the region of Sumatra island. In Aceh, the worst-hit region which accounted for nearly 50% of the deaths, many yet are without ready access to safe drinking water, nourishment, power and healthcare resources. A Leader's Public Outburst In a demonstration of just how difficult handling the situation has proven to be, the leader of a region in Aceh broke down in public earlier this month. "Does the authorities in Jakarta not know [our suffering]? I don't understand," a weeping Ismail A Jalil said in front of cameras. But Leader Prabowo Subianto has declined foreign help, maintaining the state of affairs is "being handled." "Indonesia is capable of managing this crisis," he told his ministers in a recent meeting. He has also thus far overlooked calls to declare it a national disaster, which would release emergency funds and facilitate recovery operations. Mounting Scrutiny of the Administration Prabowo's administration has increasingly been criticised as reactive, chaotic and out of touch – terms that some analysts argue have come to define his presidency, which he secured in last February riding a wave of popular commitments. Even this year, his signature multi-billion dollar school nutrition scheme has been mired in issues over widespread food poisonings. In August and September, a great number of people protested over joblessness and rising living expenses, in what were some of the most significant demonstrations the country has experienced in decades. Currently, his government's response to November's deluge has proven to be another test for the official, even as his poll numbers have held steady at approximately 78%. Urgent Pleas for Help A significant number in Aceh still do not have consistent availability to clean water, nourishment and electricity. Last Thursday, a group of activists rallied in Banda Aceh, Banda Aceh, displaying white flags and insisting that the national authorities opens the door to foreign aid. Standing in the crowd was a small girl carrying a piece of paper, which said: "I am just very young, I hope to grow up in a secure and sustainable world." Although normally viewed as a sign for giving up, the pale banners that have appeared all over the region – atop collapsed rooftops, beside washed-away banks and near places of worship – are a call for international solidarity, those involved contend. "These banners do not signify we are giving in. They serve as a SOS to attract the attention of the world outside, to let them know the conditions in Aceh today are truly desperate," said one local. Whole villages have been destroyed, while broad damage to transport links and infrastructure has also stranded numerous people. Survivors have described sickness and hunger. "How long more must we bathe in mud and contaminated water," cried a individual. Local authorities have contacted the UN for help, with the provincial leader stating he is open to aid "from all sources". National authorities has claimed relief efforts are in progress on a "large scale", adding that it has allocated some billions ($3.6bn) for reconstruction projects. Disaster Returns Among residents in the province, the situation brings back painful recollections of the 2004 devastating tidal wave, among the most devastating natural disasters on record. A massive ocean earthquake unleashed a tidal wave that triggered waves as high as 30m in height which slammed into the Indian Ocean coastline that morning, killing an estimated a quarter of a million people in more than a dozen nations. The province, already affected by a long-running conflict, was one of the hardest-hit. Residents say they had barely finished rebuilding their communities when tragedy returned in last November. Assistance was delivered faster following the 2004 Indian Ocean disaster, even though it was much more devastating, they say. Numerous countries, global bodies like the International Monetary Fund, and private organisations poured vast sums into the rebuilding process. The Jakarta then set up a specific office to coordinate funds and reconstruction work. "Everyone acted and the people rebuilt {quickly|