Dian Rahma Fika, Jakarta – Three weeks after devastating flash floods and landslides, residents in Aceh are raising white flags along the Trans-Sumatra highway, symbolizing their distress. These flags are hoisted on wooden poles along the crucial road connecting Aceh Tamiang Regency and Langsa City.
For the people of Aceh, the white flag is a symbol of surrender and helplessness in the face of the ongoing Sumatra disaster. "The white flag signifies many things, including anger, frustration, hope, and a demand to be noticed as citizens," said Muhammad Alkaf, a resident of Langsa City and a flood victim, when contacted on Tuesday, December 16, 2025.
The 44-year-old Alkaf, though a victim himself, admitted that many others were more severely affected. He confirmed that the flags were collectively installed by the people of Aceh to appeal to the conscience of President Prabowo Subianto.
"The white flags indicate that the people of Aceh are asking the Prabowo administration to designate the flood as a national disaster," Alkaf stated.
Alkaf expressed deep regret over President Prabowo's recent statement, which accused "foreign forces" of being behind the turmoil surrounding the disaster situation. He strongly opposes the Head of State's claim and feels helpless due to the central government's refusal to declare a national disaster status.
Reflecting on the handling of the 2004 Tsunami disaster, which was designated a national disaster during President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's era, Alkaf believes that foreign aid facilitated by such a declaration could significantly expedite post-disaster recovery this time.
"I don't understand what Prabowo is thinking. If he is not even responsive during the emergency response period, what about future social problems, especially for those who have lost their homes and land?" he questioned.
Volunteers confirm community helplessness
Nauval Pally Taran, a volunteer assisting in disaster management in Aceh, similarly views the white flags as a sign of resignation from the local community. According to him, residents living in the worst-hit areas, such as Aceh Tamiang and Aceh Utara, are overwhelmed by the disaster's scale.
"As a volunteer who goes directly to the field, we truly feel the community's helplessness in facing and overcoming this difficult disaster," Nauval said on Tuesday.
The 33-year-old from Aceh Besar admitted that logistical aid, such as clean water, has begun to be distributed. However, the major challenge on the ground is the uneven distribution, particularly in isolated areas like Aceh Tamiang.
The installation of the white flags was captured in a photo taken by Tempo photographer, Ilham Balindra, on Monday, December 15, 2025, and marks a potent symbol of the community's inability to cope with the disaster's overwhelming impact.
Disaster scope and local action
The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) reported that the death toll from the Sumatra disaster has reached 1,016 people as of Sunday, December 14, 2025. The total estimated budget for the recovery of all damages is Rp51.82 trillion.
Meanwhile, the Aceh Provincial Government has taken independent action by formally writing to two United Nations agencies – the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) – to request their involvement in the post-disaster recovery efforts.
Aceh Government Spokesperson Muhammad MTA confirmed the outreach: "Yes, we have written to UNDP and UNICEF to participate in the post-disaster recovery," he stated on Sunday, December 14, 2025.
The Aceh government hopes that the involvement of these international agencies will strengthen recovery efforts, especially in the sectors that align with each agency's core functions. Muhammad MTA added that the specific form of assistance provided by UNDP and UNICEF will be adjusted to their respective institutional programs.
– Dani Aswara contributed to this report
Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/2073851/sumatra-disaster-aceh-residents-raise-white-flag