Four toddlers die of starvation

Four toddlers die of starvation

MEDAN, North Sumatra: The prolonged drought was said to be
responsible for the deaths of four toddlers and 11 others near
death in Pirngadi Hospital, Medan, due to starvation resulting
from failed harvests that hit Pardomuan village, Pantailabu
district, Deli Serdang regency, North Sumatra.

Hariadi Siburian, 2, Butet Br Siburian, 4, Ucok Sihombing, 1,
and Desriana, 3, died of malnutrition-related illnesses. They did
not receive proper medical assistance because the village remains
isolated.

Kasman Manalu, a father of one of the victims, said at the
hospital on Thursday that the starvation was the result of failed
harvest caused by prolonged drought, flood and pest attacks that
have hit the village of 30 families over the past four years.

He said people in his village had not had proper harvests
since 1999 when pests destroyed the paddy. The farmers conceded
another harvest failure in the year after due to an attack of
snails. They continued to suffer last year as floods swept away
their paddy fields.

North Sumatra governor T. Rizal Nurdin said he had been
informed about the famine by Deli Serdang Regent Abdul Hafidz,
but could not do anything to help due to the regional autonomy
law that prevents a governor as the central government's
representative from meddling with internal affairs of autonomous
village administrations.

"I cannot interfere directly but I have instructed the regent
to take immediate steps to cope with this problem," he said,
adding that he was disappointed with the regent's slow response
to the problems.

Rizal said he expected the regent to prevent further
casualties. -- JP.