Despair and anger mount in Aceh

BANDA ACEH - Frustration and anger is mounting in Indonesia's tsunami-devastated Aceh province as residents form long lines for fuel, but aid workers say supplies are beginning to reach survivors.

The government said on Friday local time that the death toll in Aceh from Sunday's earthquake and giant wave was likely to rise above 100,000. The confirmed figure remained unchanged at some 80,000 dead.

"Not since the eruption of Krakatoa in 1883 have we been hit so hard by the devastating wrath of nature," President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said in a New Year's Eve speech, referring to a volcanic eruption and tsunami that killed 36,000.

"We mourn, we cry, and our hearts weep witnessing thousands of those killed left rigid in the streets. We witness those who survive almost losing hope and deep in sadness and confusion."

The stench of thousands of rotting corpses made breathing difficult in some parts of the provincial capital, Banda Aceh, as local and foreign teams pulled more bodies from the rubble.

The Health Ministry estimated nearly 110,000 people were now refugees in the province, although some officials say that figure may be conservative.

At one of only two petrol stations open in Banda Aceh, cars backed up for more than 1 km, watched by armed police. Hundreds of people stood in queues carrying jerry cans.

"It's taking too long to get petrol. The police are there. Otherwise there would be violence. Tell the world we need more fuel. Look at this queue," said Zezi Afrizal, 26, a food vendor.

At the main airport, food and medical supplies stacked up.

Australian and Singaporean crews unloaded military C-130 aircraft as hundreds of refugees milled around trying to get on flights out of the stricken region.

Two Australian C-130s had to be diverted to neighbouring Malaysia because Indonesian airports were too busy.

On the road into Banda Aceh, on the northern tip of Sumatra island, foreign soldiers could be seen in a military truck hauling supplies. Officials said some aid was trickling through to those in need, despite fuel and transport shortages.

"The aid is getting out when you consider the amount of traffic coming in here. People at the extremities are probably getting it, but there are limitations," said Australian army Major Grant King, surrounded by supplies piled on pallets.

He told Reuters each C-130, after unloading, was flying out with 50-60 refugees on board.

"If you go around to some places in Aceh, IDPs (internally displaced people) are getting aid," said Michael Elmquist, head of the U.N.'s humanitarian coordination office in Indonesia.

Vice President Jusuf Kalla said in Banda Aceh that relief efforts were improving, but that there was a shortage of drivers.

"Drivers, the same as government officials, are taking care of their families. There are no drivers at all. We sent 100 drivers from Medan," he told reporters.

Medan is Sumatra's biggest city, about 450 km (280 miles) or a 12-hour drive from Bandar Aceh.

But many aid workers said they were growing impatient.

Peter Sharwood, an orthopaedic surgeon from a private practice in Brisbane, said he had flown for 15 hours and was frustrated he was unable to get into town to start work.

"People need to be treated now, so that they don't get deep infections ... Those who had life-threatening injuries to start with have probably already died," he said.

In the city and its suburbs, there were few indications of coordinated aid distribution. Handwritten signs stuck everywhere on poles and fences said: "Please help. Give us aid."

Outside one government house where aid was being distributed, dozens of people waving their ID cards were turned away because officials said they were handing out supplies by neighbourhood.

Rice sacks were stacked along the walls of the house which was guarded by a dozen armed soldiers.

"That's their friends and family. Indonesia is like that, always unfair," said Dede Kurniawan, 25, pointing to those being given rations after he was turned away.

- REUTERS