TNI Commander Denies Security Disturbances Blocking Aid Distribution To The Peak Of Central Papua

TNI Commander Admiral Yudo Margono) accompanied Vice President Ma'ruf Amin when giving a statement at the vice president's official residence, Jakarta, Wednesday (2/8/2023). (ANTARA/Desca Lidya Natalia)

TNI Commander Admiral Yudo Margono emphasized that there was no security disturbance in the distribution of aid to victims of hunger in two districts in Puncak Regency, Central Papua.

"There is no (security disturbance). So, I make sure there are no obstacles from the KKB (Armed Criminal Group), KST (Terrorist Separatist Group). So currently the problem is only the weather," said Yudo after the Coordination Meeting for Drought and Starvation Handling in Central Papua which was held at the official residence of the vice president, Jakarta, reported by ANTARA, Wednesday, August 2.

Yudo explained that the distribution of the aid can only be done by air.

"Indeed, the distribution cannot go directly there because there is no road. The only road is only by air and air transportation, you have to wait for the weather. When the weather is good, you immediately fly there to drop," he added.

The prolonged dry season and extreme cold weather triggered crop failure, so residents of Agandugume District and Lambewi District, Puncak Regency, Central Papua, had difficulty getting food.

As a result, six people died, consisting of five adults and a baby, allegedly due to diarrhea and dehydration.

Yudo also said that his party had prepared TNI troops around the location.

"Canada pasukan di sana. Saya pastikan pasukan kami di sana menjaga, karena ini adalah bantuan kemanusiaan. Jadi, harus semua sepakat seperti prioritas. Ada satu platoon dan dari Polri ada di sana juga," tambah Yudo.

There are about 50 TNI troops prepared to guard the airport and roads to Agandugume District and Alambewi District.

Until now, said Yudo, there have been no reports of security disturbances in the distribution of the aid.

"Saya sampai sekarang tidak mendengar itu dan nyatanya bahan pangan kita yang kami kirim sudah terdistribusi dan sampai di sana; dan sampai sekarang tidak ada gangguan tembakan dari KKP. Jadi, itu bantuan itu media jangan sampai-sembarbu-sepatan. Kami tidak pernah takut, karena ini bantuan kemanusiaan, yang harus kita tepatkan kemanusiaan," ungkap Yudo.

The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) noted that the drought in the two districts had an impact on at least 7,000 people, namely around 4,500 people in Agandugume District and 2,500 people in Lambewi District.

"So, we continue to support the distribution of aid, continue to flow, yes, assistance. Of course we will prepare helicopter defense equipment to be able to distribute food aid there," said Yudo.

According to Yudo, the Ministry of Social Affairs distributed 10 tons of rice and 8 tons of TNI plus from the National Police Chief and BNPB.

"There are a total of 3,800 tons of Government rice reserves in Papua and on the way to 7,000 tons. So, 12,000 (tons) are ready there. Especially in Timika, because we serve (Regency) Puncak from Timika's warehouse, the stock there is 540 tons. One of the emergency response authorities of the Puncak regent has submitted 50 tons to Bulog from Timika's warehouse and we have transported 1.3 tons and are continuing to gradually return to the location," said Yudo.