MRA Urges Urgent Humanitarian Access for Aceh

The head of the Aceh People’s Assembly (MRA), Farizatun Puteh, has highlighted the "deplorable conditions" facing residents isolated by flash floods and landslides for nearly three weeks.

The head of the Aceh People’s Assembly (MRA), Farizatun Puteh (Right).

BANDA ACEH — "Children are starving, mothers are shivering without proper clothing, and the elderly are suffering from the cold and illness," Puteh said in a written statement on Friday (19/12/2025).

Puteh emphasised that stocks of rice and basic necessities have reached a "critically low" level. She warned that the slow pace of the aid response has eroded community resilience and poses a direct threat to human life.

"Every delay in aid means lives are being risked. Aceh needs real action now, not tomorrow," she stated.

The MRA is demanding that humanitarian access to the region be opened immediately. Puteh noted that under international humanitarian and human rights law, communities affected by disasters have the right to receive assistance without hindrance.

In addition to international regulations, Puteh highlighted the violation of Acehnese customary law (adat) if neighbours are left in distress. She described such neglect as a serious breach of dignity and social responsibility.

"We urge the active involvement of the government, the UN, and international humanitarian organisations to ensure a swift and effective response. The distribution of food and clothing must be a life-saving priority," she added.

Major flash floods and landslides have struck the province since 26 November 2025. The disaster was triggered by extreme rainfall across the region, causing rivers to overflow and slopes along main transit routes to collapse.

Vast sections of road have been buried under thick landslide debris and bridges have been destroyed, leaving residents in several areas isolated without adequate land-based logistics.