Humanitarian Concern Over the Absence of a National Disaster Declaration for Flooding in Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra.

  

Her Excellency
Ms. Roberta Metsola

President of the European Parliament

European Parliament
Rue Wiertz 60
B-1047 Brussels
Belgium

Subject: Humanitarian Concern Over the Absence of a National Disaster Declaration for Flooding in Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra.

Your Excellency,

We, representing of the Free Aceh Movement (Gerakan Aceh Merdeka – GAM), respectfully submit this letter to express our grave concern regarding the Government of the Republic of Indonesia’s continued failure to declare the ongoing floods in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra as a national disaster, despite their severe humanitarian consequences.

The recurring flooding in the region has caused widespread loss of livelihoods, large-scale civilian displacement, severe damage to critical infrastructure, and enduring socio-economic disruption. The magnitude of this disaster unmistakably exceeds the response capacity of local and provincial authorities. Yet, the continued absence of a national disaster declaration has obstructed the full mobilization of state resources and curtailed comprehensive humanitarian intervention, exacerbating the suffering of affected communities.

This situation is particularly concerning in the context of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement, signed in Helsinki on 15 August 2005. The MoU affirms the commitment of both parties to uphold human dignity, justice, good governance, and the welfare of the people of Aceh. It also reflects the shared responsibility to ensure that Aceh is treated fairly and equally within the framework of the Republic of Indonesia.

Failure to recognize the floods in Aceh as a national disaster risks contradicting both the spirit and substance of the Helsinki MoU, especially regarding the obligation to protect the civilian population and to prevent structural neglect in matters of public welfare and humanitarian protection.

We wish to emphasize that this appeal is not political in nature, but humanitarian and principled. A national disaster declaration is a necessary administrative and legal measure to ensure effective coordination, transparency, and timely assistance in accordance with international humanitarian standards and Indonesia’s own commitments under the peace agreement.

In this regard, we respectfully call upon the European Parliament to:

⦁ Give due attention to the humanitarian situation in Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra;

⦁ Encourage the Government of Indonesia to declare the floods in Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra as a National Disaster without further delay;

⦁ Support the full and faithful implementation of the Helsinki Memorandum of Understanding, particularly in matters affecting the welfare and dignity of the Acehnese people;

⦁ Promote transparency, accountability, and equal treatment in disaster response across all regions of Indonesia.

The people of Aceh have embraced peace and contributed to stability in the region for nearly two decades. They now rightfully expect that the principles enshrined in the Helsinki MoU to be upheld, especially during times of humanitarian crisis.

We trust in the European Parliament’s historic role as a guarantor of peace, human rights, and international agreements, and we hope that your esteemed institution will give this matter the urgent consideration it deserves.

Respectfully,

Leaders of the Free Aceh Movement

   Johan Makmor