Ministry of Social Affairs Helps the Returning of Wamena Refugees From North Sumatra

JAKARTA (October 18th, 2019) - 268 Wamena refugees from North Sumatra arrived at Tanjung Priok Port in North Jakarta by boarding the KM Dobon Solo on Friday.

Director General of Social Protection and Security Harry Hikmat said, upon arrival at the port the refugees were placed in a special arrival reception area for migrant workers to then be recorded and checked for health by the North Sumatra BPBD Team and the Health Team was assisted by the Ministry of Social Affairs and the local Port authority.

"Furthermore, as many as 232 refugees immediately proceeded to Medan using 8 buses prepared by the North Sumatra Regional Government. While the rest were immediately picked up by the family," he said.

The team in charge of the Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs was the Head of the Social Mapping Section, Rosehan Ansyari, the Head of the Sahbandar Tanjung Priok Port, Dedi H, the North Sumatra Representative Office, Siswanto Lubis and the North Sumatra BPBD, David Hasibuan.

The 232 refugees consisted of 100 men, 58 women, 71 children, two elderly, and one person with a disability.

Pregnant Refugees

Meanwhile a refugee named Nur Maida (41) cannot join the bus group to Medan because she is pregnant and nearing the birth process.

"The doctor who checked the health of refugees did not recommend Mrs. Nur Maida return to Medan by bus because the gestational age was just waiting for the day," said the Director General.

He explained after coordinating with the North Sumatra BPBD and the port authority, the Ministry of Social Affairs helped facilitate the residence of Ms. Nur Maida with her family while waiting for the birth process.

"We placed Ms. Nur Maida and her family, husband and two children at the Center for Social Welfare Research and Development Ministry of Social Affairs, at Jl. Dewi Sartika Cawang. Incidentally, this guesthouse is next to the Budhi Asih Hospital. So it is easy for Ms. Nur Maida to check her pregnancy with her husband, "he said.

For the next few days Nur Maida will stay at the guesthouse until the birth period is completed. The Social Protection for the Victims of Social Disaster Directorate through the Peace Pioneer volunteers will continue to provide assistance to the family while in Jakarta.