The Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos) and the National Commission\non Human Rights (Komnas HAM) have agreed to work together in handling\nrefugees affected by the conflict in Puncak Regency, Central Papua\nProvince. The agreement was discussed during an audience between Komnas\nHAM Monitoring and Investigation Commissioner Saurlin P. Siagian and\nDeputy Minister of Social Affairs Agus Jabo Priyono at the Kemensos\noffice in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Agus Jabo said the safety and comfort of refugees affected by the\nconflict are the top priority. Therefore, synergy and collaboration\nbetween ministries, agencies and local governments are needed so that\nhandling can be carried out optimally and comprehensively.<\/p>\n
\u201cRight now we have jointly agreed that our focus, which we must\nrespond to as quickly as possible, is the refugees in Puncak Regency,\u201d\nsaid Agus Jabo in a written statement on Monday (10\/8\/2026).<\/p>\n
To meet the basic needs of the refugees, Kemensos has previously\ndistributed emergency assistance to approximately 1,000 self-settled\nrefugees spread across several locations. The assistance consisted of\nbasic foodstuffs and clothing, such as rice, cooking oil, biscuits,\ninstant noodles, granulated sugar, ground coffee, blankets, adult\nclothing and children\u2019s clothing.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, for Puncak Regency, we have actually already responded by\nproviding emergency assistance at a number of refugee points, which\nuntil now we have identified as self-settled refugees, not in shelters,\u201d\nhe said.<\/p>\n
In addition to logistical assistance for victims who have fled in\nemergency situations, Kemensos can also provide compensation for\ndeceased victims and those with serious injuries. He explained that the\nassistance can be distributed based on data proposed by the local\ngovernment to Kemensos.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Komnas HAM Monitoring and Investigation Commissioner\nSaurlin P. Siagian revealed that based on data compiled by Komnas HAM,\nthere are more than 5,000 refugees affected by the escalation of\nviolence in Puncak Regency.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe provincial government\u2019s version is 2,239 people, the moderate\nversion according to us could indeed be more than 5,000, and this is of\ncourse dynamic and scattered to various places, outside Puncak Regency,\u201d\nhe said.<\/p>\n
According to him, the condition of the refugees scattered in various\nplaces means that the handling needs are also diverse. They need decent\nclothing, staple foods such as sago, eggs, cooking oil and rice, as well\nas health needs in the form of medicines and medical examinations. In\naddition, hygiene needs and temporary shelter are also a concern for the\nrefugees.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt least these refugees, these thousands of refugees, need\nready-to-eat instant food; in an emergency situation I think instant\nfood is important,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n
Responding to this, Agus Jabo assured that Kemensos will provide\nsupport for refugees in Puncak Regency. He expressed hope that the local\ngovernment can work together in the victim data collection process so\nthat it can be proposed to Kemensos immediately.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause this is a conflict that has just occurred in Puncak Regency\nand it requires synergy in data collection between agencies. From this\ndata collection, we are asking for a proposal from the Regional Head to\nbe submitted to Kemensos,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n
For information, the meeting was also attended by Director General of\nSocial Protection and Security at Kemensos Agus Zainal Arifin, Director\nof Social Protection for Disaster Victims Masryani Mansyur, Head of the\nHuman Rights Law Enforcement Support Bureau at Komnas HAM Imelda\nSaragih, Head of the Planning and Internal Oversight Bureau at Komnas\nHAM Noviati Listiyasningsih, and other relevant officials.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/social-affairs-ministry-and-komnas-ham-join-forces-to-aid-puncak-conflict-refugees-1786366475", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }