C. Sulawesi famine claims 12 lives

JAKARTA (JP): At least 12 people in a drought-stricken village in Central Sulawesi have died of starvation in the past month, while thousands of others are now facing the same threat, Antara reported yesterday.

Palasa is one of four villages in Tomini subdistrict, Donggala regency, currently under threat of food shortages caused by the severe drought in the region.

The news agency quoted Mahmudi, the head of the regency's social services office, as saying that three children, aged between one and 12 years old, were among the 12 people who died between Sept. 6 and Oct. 7.

According to Mahmuddi, the regency's health office said the deaths were caused by malnutrition. Villagers have been forced to eat dried cassava for several months since their crops failed, he said.

Mahmuddi said the provincial social services office had dispatched relief to the famine-hit villages to prevent more deaths.

Central Sulawesi Governor H.B. Paliudju instructed personnel at all levels of his office yesterday to monitor the development of the situation and report to him.

"(We need the report) so my administration can take the necessary steps as soon as possible," he was quoted by Antara as saying.

When asked by the governor about the latest situation in Palasa, head of the provincial social services office, Haerullah, said the deaths were not due to food shortages.

He said there was ample supply but the villagers could not afford to buy food.

"There have been reports from our office in Donggala that 95 families in Bobala village, 75 families in Eeya and 80 families in Ulatan village are currently facing starvation," he said.

He also said that several villages in the Buol Toli-Toli regency's subdistricts of Galang, Baolan and Toli-Toli Utara were also facing the same plight.

Haerullah said the relief dispatched was not adequate due to limited funds. He hoped the relief funds proposed by the Ministry of Social Services in Jakarta for Donggola and Toli-Toli regencies would soon reach its destination.

The deaths in Central Sulawesi brought the number of reported drought-related deaths in the past three months to 425. Earlier, reports from Irian Jaya said that 391 residents of Jayawijaya regency had died of cholera and malaria in August and September. In another regency, Merauke, 22 people died from drought-related illnesses.

Jayawijaya Regent J.B. Wenas has appealed for more assistance, including an extra supply of cooking oil for children suffering from malnutrition.

Separately, Uga Wiranto, the chairwoman of the organization of Army personnel wives, Kartika Chandra Kirana, handed over in Wamena Wednesday Rp 20 million (US$5,700) and food supplies to Wenas to be delivered to the affected areas. (aan)