VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Mar. 8 - The Social Affairs Ministry's relief aid packages for those affected by acts of terror unleashed by armed Papuan groups had arrived in Timika, Papua Province, on Saturday.

The ministry's humanitarian aid packages worth Rp172.3 million were transported by Garuda Indonesia, Head of the Papua Social Affairs Office Ribka Haluk said here Sunday.

"The relief aid packages have directly been flown by a charter flight to Intan Jaya District to be then distributed to those in need," she said.

The Social Affairs Ministry's aid packages comprise 660 packaged food boxes, 420 kid food packs, 100 folding tents, 200 folding mattresses, and 300 blankets, she added.

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 last month, Papua Deputy Governor Klemen Tinal said the handling of locals taking refuge for safety reasons would be the government's priority, he said.

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

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

The Papua provincial administration has also distributed relief aid packages to prevent several hundred residents who have fled their homes amid safety concerns from falling into hunger.

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.

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. (Antaranews)