Australian aid for Irian Jaya

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: Two twin otter planes have been assigned by the Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) office in Australia to assist in the airdrop of food supplies to drought-stricken areas in Jayawijaya district.

The Papua New Guinea based planes flew to the affected areas yesterday, carrying 1.4 tons of rice, spokesman of the MAF office Sem Basary said as quoted by Antara.

The MAF assigned two pilots, Capt. Rod William Whitte, an Australian, and Capt. Lowell Stanley Deering, a Canadian, to fly the planes one month, Basary said.

He added that the MAF office here have also requested the MAF office in the United States send pilots who have experience in disaster control.

The Indonesian Consulate General office in Sydney, Australia also reported that Australians have contributed A$16,600 in donations to help the relief operation in Irian Jaya.

Another $13,500 has been collected through an Irianese Cultural Night. (mds)