JAKARTA (25 October 2023) - The Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) has assisted residents of Amuma, Panggema, and Anggruk Districts, Yahukimo Regency, Highland Papua Province, who are suffering from starvation as a result of crop failure and landslides.


Various aid was distributed from 20-24 October 2023 with a total of 15 flights to Amuma District and 2 flights to Panggema and Anggruk Districts from Jayapura and Wamena.


"We have several flights starting from Friday 20 October 2023. Sunday is off because there are no flights. Most of us use missionary planes, Monday we send again, Tuesday we send again," said the Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini in front of the media crew.


2,000 children's food packages, 350 boxes of sardines, 1,250 kg of premium rice, 4,000 blankets, 848 boxes of instant noodles, 200 roll-up tents, 300 pieces of adult clothes, and 198 pieces of children's clothing were distributed to hunger victims in Amuma District as a result of crop failure.


Meanwhile, 500 children's food packages, 2 units of multi-purpose tents, 3 units of family tents, 230 sheets of blankets, 230 packages of family kits, 150 packages of kids wear, 4 units of solar cell lights, 600 kg premium rice, 144 cans of sweetened condensed milk, 252 boxes of instant noodles, 200 boxes of sardines, 48 litres of cooking oil, 80 packages of sanitary napkins, 80 bottles of rubbing oil, 1 package of kitchen and cooking equipment, and 1 package of other natural ingredients are being distributed to victims of landslides in the Panggema and Anggruk Districts. 


Aid for famine and landslide victims in Yahukimo was flown from Halim Perdana Kusuma Jakarta on 19 and 20 October 2023 to Jayapura. This aid was delivered using a Hercules aircraft belonging to the Indonesian Air Force.


Upon arrival in Jayapura, additional aid was flown to Amuma District on 20 October 2023. A total of 3,869 kg of logistics was carried by MAF Wamena aircraft to Amuma.


On 21 October, 1,603 kg of aid was flown from Wamena to Amuma by the Caravan Dimonim aircraft. Then, on 23 October 2023, 3,453 kg of logistics was transported using MAF aircraft and the Dimonim Caravan from Wamena to Amuma. On 24 October 2023, a total of 3,774 kg of logistics was sent using the Caravan Dimonim aircraft from Wamena to Amuma.


Moreover, aid for Landslide Victims in the Panggema and Anggruk Districts was provided on 23 October 2023 with a total of 632 kg of logistics transported via MAF aircraft from Jayapura to Anggruk. Then, on 24 October 2023, 840 kg of logistics were carried using the Caravan Dimonim aircraft from Wamena to Anggruk.


As of Wednesday, 25 October 2023, the total aid distributed was 12,699 kg of logistics in the Amuma District and 1,472 kg in the Panggema and Anggruk Districts. The aid was distributed through the Gospel Tabernacle Church of Amuma District and the Executive Board of the Synod of the Christian Gospel Church in Papua in the Panggema and Anggruk Districts.


Aside from logistical aid, MoSA has been providing Psychosocial Support Services to children in Amuma District since 21 October 2023.


MoSA also appreciates the support of the Indonesian National Armed Forces and Police (TNI/Polri) in overseeing the delivery of MoSA’s aid. Apart from using Hercules aircraft, TNI/Polri also secured airspace during the distribution to Amuma District, Anggruk District and Panggema District.


"TNI Polri also helps with air security. So we ensure that the team departs and returns home safely," said Acting Director of Social Protection for Natural Disaster Victims, Adrianus Alla.


MoSA has created 36 social granaries from 2021 to 2023 to prepare for and minimize calamities. There are five social granaries in Southwest Papua Province, twenty-one in Papua Province, four in Highland Papua Province, three in Papua Province South Papua, and three in Central Papua Province.