Sultan Abdurrahman, Jakarta – In Aceh, Indonesia, residents are raising white flags along roadsides in the wake of severe floods and landslides, sending a message to both local authorities and the international community.
Aceh Governor Muzakir Manaf, commonly known as Mualem, explained that the white flags reflect solidarity, empathy, and the pressing desire for aid.
"From my perspective, the white flag represents solidarity, sympathy, and a call for help," he said in Aceh Utara, as reported by Antara on Thursday, December 18, 2025.
The act, Mualem emphasized, is not a sign of surrender. "The white flags are meant to attract attention, both domestically and internationally. They are a plea for assistance, not a gesture of giving up," he said.
Delivering aid, however, remains a complex challenge. Floodwaters and landslides have damaged roads and infrastructure, slowing relief efforts. "Providing aid is not as simple as turning the palm of your hand," Mualem added, noting that both provincial and central governments are working continuously to reach affected communities.
The former commander of the Free Aceh Movement encouraged residents to remain patient amid the crisis. "This is not a man-made disaster; it is in the hands of Allah. Every calamity carries its own wisdom, and we must accept it," he said.
The hydrometeorological disasters, which struck Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra in late November, have taken a heavy toll. The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) reported that over a thousand people have died, while thousands more have been displaced.
Three weeks after the floods, white flags began appearing along the trans-Sumatra road, including between Aceh Tamiang Regency and the city of Langsa. For residents, the flags are more than markers of distress. They are a poignant symbol of the emotional and social toll of the disaster.
"The white flags represent anger, frustration, hope, and a plea to be recognized as equal citizens," said Muhammad Alkaf, a resident of Langsa.
Volunteers working on the ground echoed the sentiment. Nauval Pally Taran, 33, who assisted in disaster management, described the overwhelming conditions faced by communities in the hardest-hit areas such as Aceh Tamiang and Aceh Utara.
"We truly felt the helplessness of the people as they struggled to recover from this devastating disaster," he said.
– Novali Panji Nugroho and Ilham Balindra contributed to the writing of this article.