Desperation Grows as Citizens Raise Pale Banners Over Slow Disaster Relief

Over recent weeks, angry and distressed residents in Indonesia's westernmost province have been hoisting flags of surrender in protest of the official sluggish response to a succession of fatal deluges.

Caused by a uncommon weather system in the month of November, the catastrophe killed in excess of 1,000 persons and made homeless a vast number across the island of Sumatra. In Aceh, the hardest-hit province which accounted for almost half of the deaths, a great number yet are without consistent access to potable water, food, power and medical supplies.

A Leader's Emotional Anguish

In a sign of just how frustrating coping with the crisis has become, the head of North Aceh wept openly in early December.

"Can the national government not know [what we're experiencing]? I don't understand," a weeping the governor stated in front of cameras.

Yet President Prabowo Subianto has declined external aid, insisting the state of affairs is "being handled." "Our country is able of handling this crisis," he informed his cabinet in a recent meeting. Prabowo has also so far disregarded calls to declare it a national emergency, which would release disaster relief money and facilitate recovery operations.

Growing Discontent of the Government

The leadership has increasingly been scrutinised as slow to act, disorganised and detached – terms that experts say have come to define his tenure, which he secured in last February riding a wave of people-focused promises.

Already in his first year, his major billion-dollar free school meals scheme has been plagued by controversy over widespread contamination incidents. In recent months, a great number of Indonesians demonstrated over joblessness and soaring costs of living, in what were among the biggest demonstrations the country has experienced in many years.

And now, his government's response to November's floods has proven to be yet another challenge for the official, although his approval ratings have stayed high at approximately 78%.

Heartfelt Pleas for Aid

Last Thursday, a group of activists rallied in Aceh's capital, Banda Aceh, displaying white flags and insisting that the national authorities opens the way to foreign aid.

Among among the crowd was a young child clutching a piece of paper, which said: "I am only very young, I hope to grow up in a safe and stable environment."

Although usually regarded as a sign for capitulation, the white flags that have appeared throughout the region – atop damaged roofs, next to eroded banks and near mosques – are a call for global solidarity, those involved contend.

"The flags do not mean we are admitting defeat. They are a cry for help to capture the focus of friends internationally, to show them the circumstances in Aceh today are extremely dire," said one participant.

Whole communities have been eradicated, while extensive destruction to infrastructure and facilities has also isolated a lot of communities. Survivors have spoken of sickness and malnutrition.

"How much longer should we bathe in dirt and contaminated water," exclaimed a protester.

Local authorities have contacted the UN for support, with the local official announcing he accepts aid "from all sources".

The government has claimed relief efforts are in progress on a "countrywide basis", adding that it has disbursed about a significant sum (a large amount) for recovery efforts.

Calamity Repeats Itself

For many in the province, the plight brings back painful memories of the 2004 devastating tidal wave, arguably the deadliest catastrophes ever.

A magnitude 9.1 undersea earthquake caused a tidal wave that triggered walls of water reaching 100 feet high which struck the ocean coastline that morning, killing an believed two hundred thirty thousand lives in in excess of a number of countries.

Aceh, previously affected by a long-running strife, was part of the worst-impacted. Survivors state they had barely finished reconstructing their lives when disaster returned in last November.

Assistance arrived more promptly following the 2004 disaster, despite the fact that it was considerably more destructive, they argue.

Numerous countries, global bodies like the World Bank, and NGOs poured billions of dollars into the rebuilding process. The Jakarta then set up a special office to manage money and reconstruction work.

"All parties responded and the people recovered {quickly|