Acheda cyclone: Residents raised a white flag seeking help

Hundreds of people died and hundreds of thousands were left homeless as a result of a powerful cyclone that struck Indonesia's western Aceh province in November. This was reported by Zamin.uz.

The most affected area is precisely Aceh, where residents still need clean water, food, electricity, and medical assistance. The local population is criticizing the government's slow response and is raising white flags to request international aid.

Although the regional governor openly criticized the situation, President Prabowo Subianto rejected international assistance, emphasizing that the situation is under control. The delay in aid delivery is due to the absence of a declared state of emergency.

While white flags are usually seen as a symbol of surrender, the people of Aceh are using them as a sign to attract the attention of the international community. Many villages were destroyed by the cyclone, roads were damaged, and the population is suffering from disease and hunger.

The government announced that it has allocated 60 trillion rupiah (approximately 3.6 billion dollars) for reconstruction efforts. The population compares this situation to the 2004 tsunami, recalling that aid was delivered promptly at that time.

Critics associate President Prabowo's refusal of international aid with a desire to preserve his political reputation. At the same time, it is also emphasized that the expansion of palm oil plantations has intensified the flooding.