Frustration Mounts as Citizens Hoist Pale Banners Due to Inadequate Flood Assistance

For weeks, desperate and upset locals in Indonesia's westernmost province have been raising flags of surrender in protest of the government's slow reaction to a series of fatal deluges.

Precipitated by a rare cyclone in last November, the deluge resulted in the death of over 1,000 people and made homeless hundreds of thousands across the region of Sumatra island. In Aceh province, the most severely affected area which was responsible for about 50% of the casualties, numerous people still are without ready availability to safe drinking water, nourishment, power and healthcare resources.

An Official's Emotional Anguish

In a indication of just how difficult coping with the disaster has grown to be, the leader of North Aceh broke down openly in early December.

"Can the central government not know [our plight]? I don't understand," a tearful the governor said publicly.

However President Prabowo Subianto has rejected international aid, asserting the state of affairs is "being handled." "The nation is equipped of handling this crisis," he told his ministers in a recent meeting. The President has also so far ignored calls to designate it a national emergency, which would release disaster relief money and facilitate relief efforts.

Increasing Scrutiny of the Leadership

Prabowo's administration has increasingly been viewed as reactive, chaotic and out of touch – adjectives that certain observers argue have come to define his tenure, which he won in last February on the back of populist pledges.

Already this year, his signature multi-billion dollar free school meals scheme has been mired in scandal over widespread foodborne illnesses. In the latter part of the year, many thousands of Indonesians demonstrated over joblessness and increasing living expenses, in what were some of the largest protests the country has seen in a generation.

And now, his government's response to the deluge has emerged as a further test for the official, despite the fact that his popularity have held steady at around 78%.

Heartfelt Appeals for Assistance

On a recent Thursday, a group of demonstrators gathered in the provincial capital, Banda Aceh, waving pale banners and calling for that the government in Jakarta allows the way to foreign aid.

Standing in the protesters was a little girl carrying a piece of paper, which read: "I'm only very young, I want to live in a secure and healthy environment."

Though usually seen as a symbol for capitulation, the white flags that have been raised all over the province – atop damaged rooftops, along washed-away banks and outside mosques – are a signal for global solidarity, demonstrators say.

"These banners do not signify we are giving in. They are a distress signal to capture the notice of the world internationally, to let them know the conditions in here currently are extremely dire," said one participant.

Complete settlements have been eradicated, while widespread destruction to infrastructure and public works has also stranded a lot of people. Those affected have spoken of illness and hunger.

"For how much longer should we bathe in dirt and floodwaters," shouted one individual.

Regional officials have contacted the UN for support, with the local official stating he accepts aid "from anyone, anywhere".

The government has claimed recovery work are ongoing on a "large scale", adding that it has released approximately 60 trillion rupiah (billions of dollars) for rebuilding work.

Disaster Strikes Again

For many in Aceh, the situation brings back difficult memories of the 2004 tsunami, arguably the deadliest catastrophes ever.

A magnitude 9.1 undersea seismic event unleashed a tidal wave that triggered waves as high as 30m high which struck the ocean coastline that day, claiming an believed 230,000 people in in excess of a score nations.

Aceh, already devastated by a long-running conflict, was among the hardest-hit. Locals state they had only recently completed rebuilding their lives when disaster returned in last November.

Assistance came more promptly after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, even though it was far more devastating, they contend.

Various countries, multilateral agencies like the International Monetary Fund, and NGOs poured billions of dollars into the relief operation. The national authorities then created a specific body to coordinate finances and assistance programs.

"Everyone took action and the region rebuilt {quickly|