The Aceh Provincial Government has formally reached out to several United Nations (UN) agencies, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), to secure crucial assistance for the region’s ongoing recovery efforts following devastating floods and landslides.
Additionally, the provincial government has contacted the International Organization for Migration (IOM). These three influential international organizations maintain offices within Indonesia, a key factor in Aceh’s appeal. According to Muhammad MTA, Spokesperson for the Aceh Government, the request stems from these agencies’ extensive experience in post-tsunami 2004 rehabilitation and reconstruction in Aceh, making them invaluable partners in the current crisis.
MTA elaborated via a WhatsApp message on Monday, December 15th, stating, “Considering these organizations are based in Indonesia and were previously involved in Aceh’s rehabilitation and reconstruction post-2004 tsunami, the Aceh Government has formally requested their assistance.” He further emphasized that while the involvement of these UN agencies is supportive, all efforts will remain under the strict coordination of the central government. Currently, the central government is also actively supervising the ongoing flood and landslide disaster management operations across Aceh.
MTA clarified that the Aceh Provincial Government is allowing each international agency to determine the specific form of assistance provided, aligning it with their primary tasks, functions, and institutional programs for post-flood and landslide disaster recovery. He expressed hope that these contributions would align perfectly with their respective mandates, particularly concerning humanitarian aid and the technical aspects of disaster recovery. “The forms of assistance will naturally correspond with their own areas of concentration,” he added.
The sheer scale of the catastrophe is underscored by the latest provisional data from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), released on Monday, December 15th. Across Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra, a staggering 1,022 fatalities have been recorded due to the relentless floods and landslides. In addition, 206 individuals remain missing, while over 7,000 people have sustained injuries.
Providing a more detailed breakdown, BNPB revealed that Aceh Province alone accounts for 424 deaths, with 32 individuals still missing and over 4,000 residents injured. In North Sumatra, the disaster claimed 355 lives, left 84 missing, and injured over 2,000 people. Meanwhile, West Sumatra’s provisional casualty report indicates 243 deaths, 90 missing persons, and 382 injured individuals.
The widespread devastation has impacted 52 districts and cities across these three provinces, forcing over 975,000 residents to evacuate their homes. The disaster has comprehensively damaged more than 158,000 private residences. Crucial public infrastructure has also suffered extensively, including 145 bridges, 434 places of worship, 581 educational facilities, 290 offices and government buildings, 219 health facilities, and over 1,200 other vital public amenities.
Summary
The Aceh Provincial Government has formally requested assistance from UN agencies, specifically the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), along with the International Organization for Migration (IOM). This appeal aims to secure crucial support for the region’s recovery following devastating floods and landslides. The government highlighted these organizations’ presence in Indonesia and their significant involvement in Aceh’s post-2004 tsunami rehabilitation as key factors for their selection. All relief efforts will remain under the strict coordination of the central government.
The catastrophe has caused widespread devastation across Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra, as indicated by provisional data from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) on December 15th. A total of 1,022 fatalities have been recorded, with 206 individuals still missing and over 7,000 injured across the three provinces. In Aceh alone, there were 424 deaths, 32 missing, and over 4,000 injuries. The disaster has forced over 975,000 residents to evacuate and extensively damaged more than 158,000 homes and critical public infrastructure in 52 districts and cities.
