During his visit to Aceh Tamiang Regency, President Prabowo Subianto made a number of controversial statements. He also said that electricity was almost 100 percent restored, basic infrastructure was almost fully restored, and there were no longer any refugees living under tents.
This statement was immediately refuted by various elements of civil society, especially those who have long been among disaster survivors, both distributing aid and implementing various recovery programs.
All of them contradicted President Prabowo's statement, and some even challenged him to go directly to remote areas. They reminded the President not to simply accept reports from subordinates who only want to please him, even though they contradict the facts on the ground.
Not only community organizations, but also refugees themselves spoke out. A refugee in Aceh Tamiang, living under a tent, revealed undeniable facts. The woman—speaking with restrained emotion—revealed the various difficulties they experienced under the tents.
She also reminded President Prabowo not to simply believe reports from subordinates without verification and validation on the ground. Ascertaining the facts about refugees still living under various limitations in tents is certainly not difficult for government officials with structures down to the village level. All that is needed is for government officials to be honest and report truthfully—not simply to please their superiors.
Although Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian stated that 171 people are still living in tents, volunteers in the field confirmed that in just one village and several evacuation points in Aceh Tamiang, the number has exceeded 171.
Not only in Aceh Tamiang, but in several affected districts such as East Aceh, North Aceh, Bireuen, Pidie, Pidie Jaya, and other areas, survivors are still seen living under refugee tents.
Conditions on the ground prove that Aceh has not recovered, as President Prabowo has stated. Controversial statements like this have been made repeatedly by the central government, including by Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian and Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia about 100 percent electricity recovery.
Furthermore, various key infrastructures are still far from fully recovered. Similarly, schools, offices, roads, drainage and irrigation systems, bridges, and homes remain damaged. Hardened mud still accumulates in flood victims' homes after three months.
Another indicator is that some evacuees are still suffering from illnesses such as diarrhea, skin infections, coughs, and dengue fever. This situation demonstrates that the evacuees are not doing well, whether under tents or in temporary housing.
Aid to flood victims is also unevenly distributed. Some aid has accumulated, but it has not yet reached the victims.
These various circumstances have prevented the residents' economy from functioning optimally, a crucial indicator of survival.
Beyond the obvious, the traumatized and mentally unstable conditions of victims further reinforce the indication that Aceh has not yet recovered. This situation must also be a concern for the central government, preventing it from easily spreading narratives that are inconsistent with the reality on the ground.[]
Photos: Flood conditions in Aceh, Indonesia.