Aceh

Aceh is a province in Indonesia, notable for being the only region in the country to implement Sharia law. This has recently brought it into the news due to the public caning of a couple for extramarital sex and alcohol consumption, with the woman collapsing after receiving 140 lashes. This incident highlights the strict enforcement of Islamic law in the region. Separately, Aceh has also been severely impacted by recent devastating floods that have affected multiple provinces in Sumatra. These floods have caused widespread displacement, loss of life (contributing to a national death toll exceeding 1,000), and significant damage to infrastructure. The slow response to the disaster has led to public anger and calls for international aid, with residents raising white flags as a sign of distress. The floods underscore the region's vulnerability to environmental disasters and the challenges it faces in disaster response and recovery.