The Government Plans To Build Food Barns In Puncak, Central Papua

Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy when handing over aid to representatives of residents affected by drought and hunger in Puncak Regency, Central Papua, Wednesday (2/8/2023). (ANTARA/HO-Kemenko PMK)

JAKARTA - The government plans to build a food barn in Puncak Regency, Central Papua, in an effort to anticipate hunger due to drought and the phenomenon of periodic frozen dew in the region.

"Temporary imagery we will build a kind of food barn in the Agandugume District near the airport. That way we can anticipate it in the month before May, if possible, there will be food stocks that are supplied by BNPB and the Ministry of Social Affairs," said Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy as reported by ANTARA, Wednesday, August 3.

Muhadjir's statement was delivered while reviewing the drought and hunger that occurred in the Districts of Agandugume, Lambewi, and Oneri, Puncak Regency, Central Papua Province.

Muhadjir said that the dry season and drought in Puncak Regency of Central Papua always occur periodically in the middle of the year from May to July.

According to him, every dry season and the phenomenon of frozen dew, will have an impact on crop failure, as well as a shortage of clean food and water.

From the results of coordination between the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, the Head of BNPB, the Regent of Puncak Regency, and the Cenderawasih Military Commander, one of the options that emerged was the construction of food barns for population food supplies during the dry season.

"So, at the time of a periodic disaster this can automatically be resolved," he said.

The plan, he said, would be reported to President Joko Widodo and a study would be carried out until it became part of permanent anticipation in dealing with periodic phenomena in Puncak Regency.

Then the security forces will also be assigned to oversee the barn and monitor the distribution of food stocks when needed.

"We will discuss it with the President, we will form a more careful study. However, the temporary picture is that we will build a kind of food barn in Agandugume near the airport, which is strategic in position to be reached by the 3 districts," he said.

During his visit to Papua, the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture together with the Head of BNPB Suharyanto will go directly to one of the affected locations in Agandugume District as well as bring logistical assistance.

However, due to weather problems that did not allow flights to Puncak Regency, the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture handed over some assistance to the community at Mozes Kilangin Timika Airport.

The government handed over Ready-to-Use Funds (DSP) in the form of logistical support, equipment for emergency handling of hunger disasters in Puncak Regency, Central Papua Province.

The assistance was symbolically given to representatives of the three affected districts, namely the Districts of Agandugume, Lambewi, Oneri and witnessed by the Regent of Puncak Wilem Wandik.

Details of the assistance provided by the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture on that occasion included 50 tons of rice, 10,000 packages of ready-to-eat food, 3,000 packages of rendang packaging, 3,000 packages of protein milk, 3,000 packages of basic necessities, 2,000 pcs of rolled tents, 10,000 pcs of blankets, 2,000 pcs of mattresses.

Then 2,000 pcs folding mattresses, 2,000 pcs of children's clothing, 2,000 pcs of adult clothing, 4 refugee tents, 20 generators, and 3 units of trail motors.