VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Feb. 26 - The Papua provincial administration has begun distributing relief aid packages to prevent several hundred residents of Intan Jaya district, who have fled their homes amid safety concerns, from falling into hunger, an official said.

"Considering the refugees' condition, and responding to the instructions of Papua Deputy Governor Klemen Tinal, we have begun distributing the aid packages since Wednesday," head of Papua's Social Affairs Office, Ribka Haluk, said.

The Papua Social Affairs Office has provided 120 tonnes of rice, 13 thousand instant noodle packs, one ton of sugar, and one thousand cans of sardines, she said in a statement received by ANTARA in Jayapura on Thursday.

According to Haluk, the Papua Social Affairs Office has also provided 30 velbeds, 50 family kits, 50 foodware packages, 80 wool blankets, 100 mattresses, and 126 kitchen sets to refugees.

"We have also provided them with 357 packages containing cleaning supplies for kids, 320 packages containing cleaning supplies for elders, and 320 packages for those with special needs," she informed.

The Papua Social Affairs Office has also sent two teams to observe the current conditions of those taking refuge in the district of Nabire and Timika city, the capital of Mimika district, she added.

Haluk said her office is coordinating with the Indonesian Social Affairs Ministry in Jakarta to handle those fleeing their homes in the wake of violence unleashed by armed Papuan groups against army and police personnel as well as civilians.

"A solid coordination with the Intan Jaya district administration has been made. We have also coordinated the handling of this social work with the Indonesian Social Affairs Ministry in Jakarta. Its response has been so quick," she stated.

The Papua provincial administration is making efforts to restore normalcy in Intan Jaya, which has witnessed a spate in violence against civilians and security personnel in the past two years.

Intan Jaya recorded its bloodiest month in September, 2020, with notorious armed groups launching a series of attacks in the area that claimed the lives of two soldiers and two civilians and left two others injured.

The government has launched emergency response measures to address the impact of the most recent instances of armed conflict, which have forced around 600 locals to flee their homes.

During a meeting in provincial capital Jayapura on Tuesday, Papua Deputy Governor Klemen Tinal said the handling of locals taking refuge for safety reasons will be the government's priority, he said.

Meanwhile, at the meeting, deputy head of Intan Jaya district, Yan Kobogoyau, said conditions in the district have been improving and many refugees have gradually returned home.

The Papua provincial government is expected to take strategic measures to restore normalcy in Intan Jaya, he added.  (Antaranews)