By Abdullahi Lukman
Residents in Indonesia’s Aceh province are protesting what they describe as a slow and inadequate government response to deadly floods that have killed more than 1,000 people and displaced hundreds of thousands across Sumatra.
The floods were triggered by a rare cyclone last November, with Aceh accounting for nearly half of the fatalities.
Weeks later, many communities still lack clean water, food, electricity and medical supplies, prompting residents to raise white flags across the province as a signal of distress and a call for international support.
Public frustration has intensified as President Prabowo Subianto has rejected foreign aid offers and declined to declare the floods a national disaster, a move that would unlock emergency funds and speed up relief.
The president has insisted the situation is under control, saying Indonesia is capable of managing the crisis on its own.
Last week, dozens of protesters gathered in Banda Aceh, demanding that the central government allow foreign assistance.
Provincial officials have also appealed directly to the United Nations, with the Aceh governor saying help is welcome “from anyone, anywhere.”
Local authorities say entire villages have been destroyed and damaged roads and infrastructure have left communities isolated. Survivors report growing hunger, illness and competition for limited aid supplies.
The central government says it has launched a nationwide response and allocated about 60 trillion rupiah ($3.6 billion) for reconstruction.
The disaster has revived memories of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, when Aceh was among the hardest-hit regions.
Residents say international aid arrived more quickly then, despite the scale of destruction being far greater.
Several countries have offered assistance following the recent floods, but at least some aid shipments were returned following instructions from the central government.
Analysts say the refusal reflects an effort by the president to assert sovereignty and avoid foreign scrutiny, though critics warn the strategy could carry political costs.
Environmental groups and opposition voices have also accused the government of downplaying the situation and ignoring factors such as deforestation, which they say has worsened flooding risks.
For many residents, daily life remains paralysed, with markets, schools and public services still unable to function normally.