Frustration Mounts as Indonesians Hoist Flags of Distress Due to Inadequate Flood Relief

For weeks, angry and distressed locals in the province of Aceh have been raising flags of surrender in protest of the government's sluggish response to a succession of fatal floods.

Caused by a uncommon cyclone in last November, the flooding claimed the lives of more than 1,000 persons and forced out a vast number across the island of Sumatra island. In Aceh, the most severely affected province which accounted for almost half of the deaths, numerous people still do not have ready availability to clean water, nourishment, power and healthcare resources.

A Leader's Visible Outburst

In a indication of just how difficult managing the crisis has become, the head of North Aceh broke down in public earlier this month.

"Does the authorities in Jakarta be unaware of [our plight]? It's incomprehensible," a tearful the governor declared in front of cameras.

However President the nation's leader has refused external aid, insisting the state of affairs is "under control." "The nation is equipped of handling this calamity," he advised his ministers recently. He has also thus far overlooked appeals to declare it a national emergency, which would unlock special funds and streamline aid distribution.

Growing Discontent of the Government

The leadership has increasingly been criticised as slow to act, disorganised and out of touch – adjectives that some analysts argue have become synonymous with his presidency, which he was elected to in last February on the back of people-focused commitments.

Already recently, his flagship expensive school nutrition scheme has been mired in scandal over large-scale contamination incidents. In August and September, thousands of citizens demonstrated over joblessness and increasing costs of living, in what were among the largest public displays the nation has witnessed in a generation.

And now, his government's reaction to the deluge has become another challenge for the official, although his approval ratings have remained stable at around 78%.

Desperate Calls for Aid

Recently, scores of demonstrators rallied in the provincial capital, the city, waving pale banners and demanding that the national authorities permits the door to foreign help.

Standing among the crowd was a small girl clutching a sheet of paper, which stated: "I'm only very young, I want to live in a safe and sustainable world."

Though typically seen as a sign for giving up, the white flags that have appeared throughout the province – upon damaged roofs, next to washed-away riverbanks and outside places of worship – are a call for global support, those involved argue.

"These symbols are not a sign of we are giving in. They represent a SOS to grab the notice of allies abroad, to inform them the conditions in here now are extremely dire," said one participant.

Whole communities have been eradicated, while broad destruction to roads and facilities has also isolated numerous people. Victims have reported disease and hunger.

"For how much longer should we cleanse in mud and the deluge," cried one protester.

Regional authorities have reached out to the UN for support, with the Aceh governor declaring he is open to support "from anyone, anywhere".

National authorities has said aid operations are in progress on a "large scale", adding that it has disbursed about a significant sum (a large amount) for recovery work.

Disaster Returns

For some in Aceh, the situation brings back traumatic recollections of the 2004 tsunami, one of the most devastating calamities on record.

A magnitude 9.1 undersea tremor unleashed a tidal wave that produced waves as high as 30m high which hit the ocean coastline that day, claiming an believed 230,000 people in more than a score countries.

The province, already affected by a long-running civil war, was among the most severely affected. Locals state they had barely completed reconstructing their lives when disaster struck again in November.

Relief came more promptly following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, despite the fact that it was much more catastrophic, they argue.

Many nations, multilateral agencies like the International Monetary Fund, and charities poured significant resources into the relief operation. The national authorities then created a specific agency to manage funds and assistance programs.

"The international community responded and the people rebuilt {quickly|