Indonesian Military Sends 2 Tonnes of Basic Necessities to Residents in Three Puncak Regency Districts

The TNI Habema Command Operations have sent 2 tonnes of basic food supplies to residents in three districts (sub-districts) of Puncak Regency, Central Papua, which are currently facing a food crisis due to the El Niño phenomenon.

Speaking in Timika on Friday, the Commander of the TNI Habema Territorial Task Force, Brigadier General TNI Stefie Jantje Nuhujanan, representing Commander of Koops Habema Major General TNI Yudha Airlangga, stated that the 2 tonnes of aid were transported via two Grand Caravan aircraft and two helicopters from Mozes Kilangin Airport in Timika on Friday morning. The aid is destined for the Agandugumu, Oneri, and Lambewi districts.

The El Niño phenomenon has caused severe drought across these three districts of Puncak Regency. Furthermore, air temperatures in these areas have dropped drastically to 9 degrees Celsius, even briefly touching 2 degrees Celsius. These conditions have caused local crops, such as tubers and vegetables, to suffer from drought and damage.

“According to the reports we have received, community gardens in these three districts have failed to harvest, resulting in a food and water crisis,” he said. He expressed hope that the aid would reach the residents promptly to help address their needs in the coming period.

The delivery of aid to these three locations faced significant obstacles, primarily due to difficult geographical conditions, unfavourable weather, and threats from the OPM armed separatist group. In addition to the food supplies, Koops TNI Habema is also deploying medicines and medical personnel to the three locations in Puncak Regency affected by the food shortage.