Timika Diocese Sends 1.2 Tons Of Basic Materials To Intan Jaya Refuge In The Middle Of Armed Conflict

JAKARTA - The Catholic Church of the Timika Diocese, Papua, since Tuesday morning, has sent aid for basic necessities to the Bilogai Parish, Intan Jaya Regency.

Reported by Antara, Tuesday, February 23, the Chairperson of the Timika Diocese's Economic Resources Development (PSE) Beni Meo in Timika, Tuesday, said that 1,210 kg or 1.2 tons of basic necessities were transported from Timika to Sugapa, Intan Jaya. using the Alda Air airline chartered by Adequacy Timika.

"The staples that we send today consist of rice, instant noodles, sugar, coffee and other foodstuffs. It should be up to 1.3 tonnes to be transported. We from the Timika diocese sent Pastor Rinto Dumatubun to Sugapa to ensure that the aid sent could reach the destination, so we reduce the load, "said Beni.

Beni said that the delivery of humanitarian aid to Intan Jaya Regency will continue.

Some of the staple materials that come from donations from the people and various communities in Timika are now being accommodated in the Timika Diocese's Maria Bintang Laut Cooperative Warehouse, which is planned to be sent in four more flights.

Rudolf Kambayong as administrator of the Timika Diocese's Secretariat of Justice and Peace explained that the basic materials sent to refugees in Bilogai were donations from various groups, both in cash and in kind.

“Donations from the Parish of Tiga Raja Cathedral, Sempan Parish, Quasi Parish of Santa Sesilia SP2, Parish SP 3, Catholics at SP1, teachers and students of SMA YPPK Tiga Raja. There are various groups such as the Jayapura Diocese's Charismatic group, PT Freeport Indonesia employees, the Indonesian Church Trustees Conference, Jayapura Diocese, "said Rudolf.

Saul Wanimbo as the Director of the Timika Diocese SKP revealed that the refugees currently taking refuge in the Bilogai Parish Complex, Intan Jaya Regency, have more than a thousand people consisting of adults and children.

"Indeed, some of them returned to their villages but returned to take shelter at the Bilogai Parish Complex because the security situation was not yet conducive," he said.

Saul explained that the residents of Intan Jaya chose to evacuate since mid-2020. They chose to flee to a number of neighboring districts such as Nabire and Paniai, including in Timika.

However, Saul acknowledged that the Timika Diocese could not identify the Intan Jaya residents who had fled to Timika. Meanwhile, residents who took refuge in Paniai are thought to have moved to Nabire.

This aid collection, he said, was not only focused on Intan Jaya residents who took refuge in the Bilogai Parish but also those who are currently in Nabire and staying with their family or relatives.

The Timika Diocese hopes that the Kombas heads in Paniai and Timika can take the initiative to detect Intan Jaya refugees who are in Timika and Paniai.

"We know that living in the city is quite heavy, so the diocese thinks it is okay if other parishes help residents who have first fled to Nabire and Paniai. It will be the task of the Timika Diocese pastoral team in Nabire and Paniai to coordinate the incoming donations so that they can be distributed to them. If there are new advantages, they will send it to Bilogai, "he explained.

The Bilogai church and rectory are currently a post to accommodate incoming aid for the refugees.

In the current situation of Intan Jaya, said Saul, it is impossible for the community to plant gardens, therefore the diocese still expects the willingness of all parties with good intentions to help ease the burden on the Intan Jaya community in the refugee camps by providing donations in the form of cash and basic necessities.

Earlier on Saturday, February 13, 2021, the Diocesan Administrator of the Diocese of Timika, Pastor Marthen Kuayo Pr issued letters requesting assistance to parishes across the diocese of Timika.

The letter aims to ask for the participation and support and solidarity of Catholics to help refugees who took refuge in the Church and Pastor of the Santo Misael Bilogai Parish and also refugees from Intan Jaya residents who are temporarily being accommodated at the Santo Antonius Bumiwonorejo Parish, Nabire Regency due to the escalating shooting contact between the TNI and Polri with an armed criminal group (KKB).