Frustration Grows as Residents Raise Flags of Distress Amid Slow Disaster Assistance
Over recent weeks, desperate and upset residents in the nation's westernmost region have been hoisting white flags in protest of the government's slow reaction to a wave of lethal floods.
Caused by a unusual storm in November, the flooding killed in excess of 1,000 people and displaced hundreds of thousands across the region of Sumatra island. In Aceh, the worst-hit province which represented about 50% of the casualties, many yet do not have easy access to safe drinking water, supplies, electricity and healthcare resources.
A Leader's Public Anguish
In a demonstration of just how frustrating managing the disaster has proven to be, the leader of North Aceh wept in public recently.
"Can the national government be unaware of [what we're experiencing]? I don't understand," a emotional the governor said publicly.
But Leader Prabowo Subianto has rejected foreign help, asserting the situation is "being handled." "Our country is able of managing this calamity," he told his government in a recent meeting. Prabowo has also to date disregarded calls to declare it a national disaster, which would free up emergency funds and streamline aid distribution.
Mounting Discontent of the Administration
Prabowo's administration has been increasingly viewed as slow to act, disorganised and out of touch – terms that some analysts argue have come to characterise his presidency, which he was elected to in last February riding a wave of people-focused pledges.
Even recently, his major multi-billion dollar school nutrition scheme has been mired in scandal over mass foodborne illnesses. In the latter part of the year, many thousands of citizens demonstrated over unemployment and rising living expenses, in what were the largest of the most significant demonstrations the nation has seen in a generation.
Presently, his administration's reaction to November's deluge has proven to be yet another problem for the president, despite the fact that his approval ratings have stayed high at around 78%.
Heartfelt Appeals for Help
Recently, a group of protesters assembled in Aceh's capital, the city, waving pale banners and demanding that the national authorities opens the path to international help.
Among among the crowd was a little girl clutching a sheet of paper, which stated: "I am just three years old, I want to live in a secure and stable environment."
Though usually viewed as a symbol for giving up, the white flags that have appeared all over the province – upon damaged rooftops, beside washed-away banks and near mosques – are a call for global support, demonstrators say.
"These symbols do not signify we are surrendering. They are a SOS to grab the attention of allies abroad, to show them the circumstances in here now are very bad," said one participant.
Whole settlements have been destroyed, while extensive destruction to infrastructure and facilities has also cut off a lot of areas. Victims have spoken of disease and malnutrition.
"How much longer must we bathe in mud and floodwaters," exclaimed a individual.
Regional authorities have appealed to the international body for help, with the Aceh governor declaring he welcomes aid "without conditions".
National authorities has said recovery work are ongoing on a "countrywide basis", noting that it has allocated some billions (a large amount) for reconstruction projects.
Tragedy Returns
For some in the province, the plight evokes painful memories of the 2004 Indian Ocean Boxing Day tsunami, arguably the deadliest catastrophes ever.
A magnitude 9.1 ocean earthquake triggered a tsunami that triggered walls of water up to 100 feet high which hit the Indian Ocean coastline that day, killing an estimated a quarter of a million people in more than a number of countries.
The province, previously affected by a long-running civil war, was among the most severely affected. Locals state they had just finished reconstructing their homes when disaster struck again in November.
Relief came more promptly following the 2004 Indian Ocean disaster, although it was much more destructive, they say.
Various nations, international organizations like the World Bank, and NGOs poured significant resources into the recovery effort. The Indonesian government then created a dedicated office to manage finances and aid projects.
"Everyone took action and the region bounced back {quickly|
