The floods have destroyed thousands of homes and crippled the local economy, with senior government officials saying that reconstruction across affected areas in Sumatra is expected to cost at least US$3.11 billion.
Aceh recorded the highest death toll, with 431 people confirmed dead and 32 still missing. North Sumatra follows with 355 fatalities and 84 people unaccounted for, while West Sumatra reported 244 deaths and 90 missing, according to news outlet Jakarta Globe on Tuesday.
Around 7,000 people have been injured and nearly 186,500 homes were damaged or destroyed.
Survivors are now grappling with hunger, severe shortages of supplies and uncertainty over when sufficient assistance will arrive.
In East Aceh, white flags lined roads stretching to Aceh Tamiang regency. Flags have also been seen along national highways connecting the capital Banda Aceh to Medan in North Sumatra, Kompas reported.
“The people have given up and need help. We can’t cope anymore,” said Bahtiar, a resident of the Alue Nimbong village in East Aceh, as quoted by Kompas.
He said it has been three weeks since the floods struck, but aid reaching affected communities remains extremely limited.
Locals have set up independent community kitchens, sharing what little food they have, but supplies are running out and many are going hungry, according to local media reports.
Source: CNA
