Drought-related deaths hit 420 in Jayawijaya

JAKARTA (JP): Three more people have died in the Jayawijaya regency, Irian Jaya, raising the number of drought-related deaths to 420.

Antara reported yesterday that the three casualties, all residents of the Ninia village, had died from malaria.

Jayawijaya Regent JB Wenas told reporters in Wamena, the regency's capital, that many people suffering from malaria in Ninia had lost all hope, refusing to accept medication or food.

The mainly poor villagers, who still adhere to a very traditional way of life, believe the calamity is God's cure. They maintain that by taking medication and eating food they will only exacerbate the situation, Wenas said.

The villagers' superstitions were intensifying the situation and making it more difficult for health workers, he said.

Wenas expressed concern that there will be more deaths because the villagers' lack of cooperation is doubling.

Besides the threat of drought-related illnesses, Wenas said many women in the regency's villages needed clothes because fire had destroyed the grass fibers used to make traditional straw skirts.

The raw materials used for traditional clothing was usually found in swamplands.

Wenas said the plea for clothing came from women in the Pasema village in Kurima who complained to the chief of Trikora military command, Maj. Gen. Johny Lumintang, during his visit to the village recently.

In response to the villagers' complaints, Wenas called on all parties to donate their used clothes. (aan)