Flag of White Disaster Victims Asked, Minister of Home Affairs: Foreign Aid Cannot Be Arbitrary

Minister of Home Affairs (Mendagri) Tito Karnavian (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Regarding the return of rice assistance from the United Arab Emirates by the Medan City Government and the proliferation of the raising of the white flag at the location of the Sumatra disaster, Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian emphasized that the white flag is the aspiration of the people, while foreign assistance must go through a clear mechanism.

"The raising of our white flag is understood as a manifestation of the aspirations of the people in the face of a disaster situation," said Tito at Halim Perdanakusuma, Jakarta, Friday, December 19.

Tito explained that the 30 tons of rice aid that was said to come from the United Arab Emirates was not a government-to-government aid, but from the non-governmental organization Red Crescent. The aid was originally to be handed over to the Mayor of Medan, Rico Tri Putra Bayu Waas.

"Because there is no clarity on the mechanism for receiving international assistance, understood as government to government assistance, the rice is not accepted by the Medan City Government," he said.

Based on a mutual agreement, the aid was then handed over to the Muhammadiyah Medical Center which formed a humanitarian center in Medan. "Currently, the rice is in the hands of Muhammadiyah and will be distributed to the community," said Tito.

Regarding criticism of disaster handling, Tito admitted that there were still obstacles in the field, especially because of the difficult terrain. He apologized for various shortcomings.

"The government hears and understands various criticisms and inputs. With all humility, we apologize if there are still shortcomings," he said.

He also alluded to the letter of the Aceh Government to international institutions. According to Tito, the Ministry of Home Affairs has communicated with UNDP and UNICEF. The letter uses an electronic signature and is said to be unknown directly by the Governor of Aceh.

"If it is not in the national disaster status, the most likely assistance is counseling, especially for children and women," he said.

Tito emphasized that the central government remained fully responsible for handling disasters and appreciated the community's mutual assistance in continuing to help affected victims.