Cut Mery, Banda Aceh – The Aceh provincial government has formally requested assistance from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) to support post-disaster recovery efforts following deadly floods and landslides in the province.
The move contrasts with the stance of President Prabowo Subianto's administration, which has not yet opened access to foreign assistance in response to disasters that have struck three provinces on Sumatra since late November, killing more than 1,000 people.
Aceh authorities said the involvement of UNDP and Unicef is needed to accelerate rehabilitation and reconstruction, particularly in disaster-hit areas that remain partially isolated.
The provincial government cited the two agencies' long track record in disaster response, including their extensive role in supporting Aceh's recovery after the devastating 2004 tsunami.
"Specifically, the Aceh government has submitted formal requests to several UN agencies, including UNDP and Unicef, based on their experience in handling the 2004 tsunami," Aceh government spokesperson Muhammad MTA said. "They are official UN agencies present in Indonesia, and we consider their involvement crucial for the recovery process."
Muhammad said official letters had been sent to both agencies due to the urgent needs on the ground.
Aceh authorities also noted strong domestic and international solidarity. To date, 77 organizations and 1,960 volunteers from Indonesia and abroad have arrived in the province to assist with emergency response and recovery efforts.
Of the roughly 1,000 fatalities recorded across Sumatra, Aceh has reported the highest toll, with 415 deaths and 34 people still missing. North Sumatra has recorded 349 deaths and 91 missing persons, while West Sumatra has confirmed 242 fatalities, with 92 people unaccounted for.