For weeks now, angry and distressed residents in Indonesia's westernmost province have been raising white flags over the state's slow response to a series of deadly floods. Triggered by a rare cyclone in November, the deluge killed more than 1,000 people and displaced hundreds of thousands across the island of Sumatra. In Aceh, the worst-hit province which accounted for nearly half of the deaths, many still do not have ready access to clean water, food, electricity and medical supplies.
In a sign of just how frustrating managing the crisis has become, the governor of North Aceh broke down publicly earlier this month. Does the central government not know [what we're experiencing]? I don't understand, a tearful Ismail A Jalil said in front of cameras.
But President Prabowo Subianto has refused foreign aid, insisting the situation is under control. Indonesia is capable of overcoming this disaster, he told his cabinet last week. Prabowo has also so far ignored calls to declare it a national disaster, which would unlock emergency funds and streamline relief efforts.
Last Thursday, dozens of protesters rallied in Aceh's capital, Banda Aceh, waving white flags and demanding that the central government opens the door to foreign aid. The flags, typically symbols of surrender, are seen by protesters as a distress signal for international solidarity. Survivors have spoken of sickness and starvation, with entire villages wiped out.
Provincial authorities have reached out to the United Nations for support, but the government claims to be managing the relief efforts on a national scale, having allocated significant funds for reconstruction. Critics have accused Prabowo's administration of being out of touch, drawing parallels between this disaster and the swift international response to the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami.
The refusal to accept international aid raises concerns, as observers argue that maintaining sovereignty appears prioritized over effectively managing the crisis, which could have lasting political implications for Prabowo's government.
In a sign of just how frustrating managing the crisis has become, the governor of North Aceh broke down publicly earlier this month. Does the central government not know [what we're experiencing]? I don't understand, a tearful Ismail A Jalil said in front of cameras.
But President Prabowo Subianto has refused foreign aid, insisting the situation is under control. Indonesia is capable of overcoming this disaster, he told his cabinet last week. Prabowo has also so far ignored calls to declare it a national disaster, which would unlock emergency funds and streamline relief efforts.
Last Thursday, dozens of protesters rallied in Aceh's capital, Banda Aceh, waving white flags and demanding that the central government opens the door to foreign aid. The flags, typically symbols of surrender, are seen by protesters as a distress signal for international solidarity. Survivors have spoken of sickness and starvation, with entire villages wiped out.
Provincial authorities have reached out to the United Nations for support, but the government claims to be managing the relief efforts on a national scale, having allocated significant funds for reconstruction. Critics have accused Prabowo's administration of being out of touch, drawing parallels between this disaster and the swift international response to the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami.
The refusal to accept international aid raises concerns, as observers argue that maintaining sovereignty appears prioritized over effectively managing the crisis, which could have lasting political implications for Prabowo's government.
