Coordinating Minister For Human Development And Culture Calls Repair Of Airfields In Agandugume To Make It Easier To Distribution Of Starvation Assistance To Central Papua

Illustration of the distribution of logistical assistance from the Ministry of Social Affairs for residents affected by the hunger disaster in Central Papua, Wednesday, July 26, 2023. (ANTARA-HO-Kemensos).

Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (Menko PMK) Muhadjir Effendy said the government is fixing airports in Agandugume District to facilitate the delivery of food aid to districts affected by drought and hunger in Puncak Regency, Central Papua.

In addition, the government has extended the runway for the airport in Sinak District, Puncak Regency, so that it can be accommodated by Hercules aircraft, which can be used to transport more food and building materials.

"Because Sinak Airport can reach more areas, including those outside Puncak Regency, including Puncak Jaya, Lani Jaya, and Intan Jaya," said Muhadjir after attending the ceremony to award the Honorary Star Ceremony at the Presidential Palace. Jakarta, Monday 14 August, confiscated by Antara.

According to him, Sinak Airport repairs are targeted for completion in three months.

After the airport repairs are complete, the government will improve land infrastructure to facilitate and shorten aid deliveries to various districts in Central Papua.

"If later the land route (it has been built) starts from Sinak then to the capital city of Puncak Jaya Regency and to Agandugume, which is the valley area, then all of them can go by land so there is no need for small planes," said Muhadjir.

In addition, according to instructions from President Joko Widodo, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) built a food warehouse in Puncak Regency to support the distribution of food aid to areas affected by the disaster.

"Mr. President also agreed that later there will be permanent security personnel placement, static troops there. Maybe through territorial guides such as Koramil or Polsek because it should be like that...," he said.

After improving the infrastructure and placing permanent security officers, he said, the cost of sending aid reaching Rp35 million for one flight using a Caravan plane could later be saved.

BNPB said that the crop failure that occurred due to prolonged dryness accompanied by extreme cold weather in the Districts of Agandugume and Lambewi in Puncak Regency made it difficult for residents to get food since June 3, 2023.

"The drought also caused local residents to have difficulty getting clean water, which resulted in six residents including five adults and a baby dying, allegedly due to diarrhea and dehydration," said Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information and Communication Center Abdul Muhari.

Muhadjir said that the central government had sent food aid to areas affected by the hunger disaster in the Puncak Regency area.

According to him, the government also checks the condition of land in areas affected by the disaster and seeks that land can still be used to grow tubers and vegetables when snow and dew that endangers plants come.