Residents of Aceh are pressing the Indonesian government to permit the arrival of 500 tonnes of humanitarian aid from Malaysia, as flood survivors continue to grapple with the aftermath nearly three weeks after the disaster struck the province.
Why the Aid Is Stalled
The aid, contributed by Acehnese communities residing in Malaysia, remains in Malaysia because Indonesia has not declared the floods a national emergency, a prerequisite for foreign humanitarian assistance, according to Aceh administration spokesperson Teuku Kamaruzzaman.
Teuku told the Jakarta Post that the central government should grant a dispensation to allow the aid to enter Aceh even without a national emergency declaration, emphasizing that “all humanitarian aid should not be delayed and must be expedited to reach displaced residents in urgent need of assistance.”
Logistics of the Planned Shipment
Datuk Mansyur Usman, president of the Aceh Community in Malaysia, said his group intended to transport the supplies from Port Klang in Selangor to the coastal town of Krueng Geukueh in Aceh using a private cargo vessel.
Official Response
Deputy Chief of Mission at the Indonesian Embassy in Malaysia, Danang Waskito, indicated that the request to admit the aid could not be approved in the near term because Indonesia has yet to issue a national emergency declaration for the floods.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the humanitarian aid from Malaysia not yet entering Aceh?
The aid is held up because Indonesia has not declared the floods a national emergency, which is required for foreign humanitarian assistance to be permitted.
Who is advocating for the aid to be allowed entry?
Aceh administration spokesperson Teuku Kamaruzzaman and Datuk Mansyur Usman, president of the Aceh Community in Malaysia, are leading the call for a dispensation to let the aid enter the province.
What condition must be met for foreign aid to be approved?
Indonesia must declare the flooding a national emergency; this declaration is a prerequisite for the entry of foreign humanitarian aid.
How do you think the situation might evolve if the government grants a dispensation for the aid?
