Frustration Grows as Indonesians Raise White Flags Over Slow Disaster Assistance

Over recent weeks, frustrated and suffering locals in Indonesia's westernmost province have been hoisting pale banners in protest of the state's sluggish response to a series of deadly floods.

Precipitated by a uncommon cyclone in last November, the deluge claimed the lives of over 1,000 people and made homeless hundreds of thousands across the island of Sumatra island. In Aceh province, the hardest-hit province which accounted for about half of the fatalities, numerous people yet do not have ready availability to clean water, supplies, power and medical supplies.

An Official's Public Anguish

In a sign of just how challenging handling the crisis has become, the leader of North Aceh wept in public earlier this month.

"Does the national government not know [our plight]? It's incomprehensible," a weeping the governor declared publicly.

But Leader the President has refused external assistance, insisting the circumstances is "under control." "Indonesia is equipped of handling this calamity," he told his ministers recently. The President has also so far disregarded demands to declare it a national disaster, which would free up disaster relief money and expedite relief efforts.

Mounting Criticism of the Leadership

The current government has been increasingly criticised as unprepared, disorganised and out of touch – terms that certain observers argue have come to characterise his presidency, which he secured in last February on the back of popular pledges.

Already in his first year, his signature multi-billion dollar free school meals scheme has been embroiled in scandal over large-scale food poisonings. In August and September, many thousands of people took to the streets over unemployment and rising living expenses, in what were among the largest demonstrations the country has witnessed in a generation.

And now, his administration's response to November's deluge has become yet another problem for the president, although his poll numbers have stayed high at about 78%.

Heartfelt Calls for Assistance

Last Thursday, a group of protesters gathered in Aceh's capital, Banda Aceh, holding white flags and insisting that the national authorities allows the way to international aid.

Standing among the protesters was a small girl carrying a piece of paper, which read: "I am only a toddler, I hope to grow up in a secure and stable world."

Although usually regarded as a symbol for surrender, the pale banners that have been raised throughout the region – upon damaged roofs, beside eroded banks and near places of worship – are a signal for global solidarity, demonstrators contend.

"The flags do not mean we are surrendering. They are a SOS to attract the notice of allies abroad, to inform them the situation in here today are extremely dire," stated one protester.

Complete villages have been destroyed, while broad damage to roads and infrastructure has also isolated a lot of people. Survivors have described illness and hunger.

"How much longer must we cleanse in dirt and floodwaters," shouted one individual.

Regional officials have appealed to the United Nations for help, with the Aceh governor announcing he accepts help "from all sources".

Prabowo's administration has said recovery work are ongoing on a "countrywide basis", adding that it has released about billions (a large amount) for recovery work.

Disaster Returns

For some in Aceh, the plight brings back painful memories of the 2004 tsunami, among the most devastating calamities in history.

A powerful undersea tremor unleashed a tsunami that triggered waves reaching 100 feet high which struck the Indian Ocean shoreline that morning, taking an approximate 230,000 people in over a dozen countries.

The province, already affected by years of conflict, was one of the worst-impacted. Locals say they had just completed reconstructing their lives when tragedy hit once more in last November.

Aid was delivered more quickly after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, despite the fact that it was much more destructive, they say.

Numerous countries, multilateral agencies like the International Monetary Fund, and private organisations directed billions of dollars into the recovery effort. The Jakarta then established a special office to oversee funds and aid projects.

"Everyone responded and the community rebuilt {quickly|