REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA — Deadly famine has again hit people in inland Papua. A total of 24 residents in Akuma District, Yahukimo, Papua Mountains are reported to have died as a result of the loss of food sources.
In addition, about 12,000 more residents in dozens of villages in the region were also affected by extreme weather that left food barns empty, and crops and livestock dead. The Papua Police said that, due to this situation, the local government of Yahukimo Regency has established emergency status for disaster response since last week.
On Wednesday (25/10/2023), efforts were made to deliver food aid, as well as medicines. “From the information on the ground in Akuma District, currently 24 residents have been recorded who died as a result of the famine disaster,” said Papua Police Public Relations Officer, Kombes Ignatius Benny Prabowo when contacted by Republika, from Jakarta, Wednesday (25/10/2023).
Kombes Benny explained that extreme weather conditions in Akuma District, in Yahukimo have been occurring since August 2023. “This famine, allegedly due to extreme weather, caused the crops in the people's fields, and the livestock of the citizens to die,” Kombes Benny said.
According to him, there are 13 villages in the region that are currently a priority for rescue from the famine. But, he said, efforts to send aid to the region were difficult. “The only access to the area can only be done by helicopter. And the delivery of aid to the region, has already begun,” he said.
The police, together with the local government of Yahukimo, with the help of PT Palapa Timur Telematika transport, have already sent four times food aid, and medicines. Including Kombes Benny by bringing disaster response teams to the region to ensure the needs of about 12 thousand residents in the region.
The famine disaster in Yahukimo region, Papua Mountains, is more alarming than similar conditions that occurred in Puncak Regency, Central Papua in August 2023. Official government records six residents dead at the time. The famine forced about 7,000 residents in three districts to flee due to the loss of food resources.
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