REPUBLICA.CO.ID, JAYAPURA — The famine affecting communities in Akuma District, Yahukimo, urged the immediate delivery of food aid to the mountainous Papua region. As many as 24 residents have died as a result of the loss of food resources in the region.

Papuan police said that the state of emergency famine has been declared by the local authorities in anticipation of the conditions that are feared to worsen.

“The current situation is more and more worrying. And we will quickly send assistance to the affected communities as soon as possible,” said Papua Police Public Relations Commissioner Ignatius Benny Prabowo through a press release received by Republika, in Jakarta, Thursday (26/10/2023).

Kombes Benny said that orders from Papua Police Chief Irgen Mathius Fakhiri to land food aid to the region as soon as possible.

“The police department has prepared 4 tons of rice and instant aid to be delivered immediately to help people affected by hunger,” Kombes Benny said.

The police chief, said Kombes Benny also ordered that Yahukimo Police Station personnel cooperate with the Yahukimo Local Government Emergency Response Team (Pemda), so that the process of delivery and distribution of assistance be carried out immediately. At the moment, Kombes Benny said the main problem in the delivery of such aid, is simply a matter of transportation.

Because, he said, getting to the famine-affected area of Akuma District, Papua Mountains, could not be done by land. The only means of transportation that can penetrate to the site, is by air route. “Access to the area is very limited. And can only use helicopters to the region,” said Kombes Benny.

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