Children languish in refugee camps in South Sulawesi
Children languish in refugee camps in South Sulawesi
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Children, who took refuge along with their parents after fighting
occurred over a regency division in South Sulawesi, are badly in
need of medical help as they are suffering from diarrhea and
respiratory problems.
The children are languishing in refugee camps in Darma
neighborhood in Polewali Mamasa (Polmas) regency. They are among
some 5,000 people who fled clashes on Sept. 29 and Sept. 30
precipitated by a decision to split Polmas into two regencies --
Polmas and Mamasa.
At least three people were killed in the fighting between
opponents and supporters of the separation. Those opposed to the
split were residents of the subdistricts of Aralle, Tabulahan and
Mambi.
They rejected the government's bid to incorporate the three
subdistricts into Mamasa regency, due to ethnic, religious and
economic factors.
It was not clear how many children are suffering from diarrhea
and respiratory problems. However, most of the displaced people
are women and children.
Hira, a doctor working at the Darma refugee camps, was quoted
by Antara as saying on Friday the stocks of medicine were
limited, while there were many patients in need of help for
diarrhea and respiratory problems.
No deaths were reported as a result of the ailments, but one
refugee identified as Rauf, 30, from Mambi reportedly died early
on Friday due to a heart attack.
Rauf's death brought the number of deaths among refugees to
five. The refugees have been under heavy stress at the camps for
almost one month as they had to abandon their farmland that was
ready for harvest.
Nurliah, 22, another refugee from Mambi, said she hoped the
conflict over the controversial division would end before
Ramadhan, which begins on Monday.
"We all want to return home soon and the conflict to be
resolved properly," said M. Sa'ir, 50, a former head of Rante
Bulaha village in Mambi.
He said the conflict also deprived children of access to
education. They are living in squalor due to a the lack of clean
water and clothing.
Ruslan, a 13-year old elementary school student from Aralle,
said he had not attended school for 30 days after he fled the
clashes along with his parents.
Crying, he called on local authorities to restore security in
his village, so he would be able to go back to school soon.
Separately on Friday, South Sulawesi Deputy Governor Syahrul
Yasin Limpo held peace talks between those in support and against
the Polmas split.
Mamasa is a predominantly Christian area, while residents from
Aralle, Mambi and Tabulahan subdistricts are mostly Muslims.
The three dead victims came from these three subdistricts.
In order to prevent further clashes, Minister of Home Affairs
Hari Sabarno has ordered the postponement of the government's
decision to divide Polmas along ethno-religious lines.
The controversial separation is endorsed by Law No. 11/2002 on
the creation of Mamasa regency.
"If there is a conflict like that in the divided regency, the
split must be suspended or status quo restored," Hari told
journalists in Makassar, South Sulawesi, earlier on Oct. 3.
He said the division was actually aimed at improving
administrative services for local people.
The minister told the regional administration to deal with any
problems stemming from the policy enacted by the central
government.
South Sulawesi Governor Amin Syam has blamed the central
government for failing to accommodate the aspirations of the
local people.
The provincial administration had suggested that the three
subdistricts opposed to the split be excluded from the newly
created regency, but the central government disregarded the
suggestion.