Irian aid rotting, may be discarded

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: Hundreds of boxes of noodles and some 50 tons of rice bound for famished-stricken regencies in Irian Jaya may have to be thrown away because they are quickly going rotten.

The head of the government administration in Puncak Jaya regency, H. Ibo, told Antara yesterday that the food had been stored too long.

"By the time it gets to places which really need help, the food will already be rotten and can only be thrown away," he explained.

At least 250 cartons of instant noodles have gone past their expiration date. The boxes were sent from Jakarta and have been in a warehouse in Jayapura since December. They were due to be sent to villages in Puncak Jaya.

Another 50 tons of rice has remained idle in a warehouse in the town of Nabire. Both the noodles and the rice are official disaster assistance sent from Jakarta by the government.

Another five tons of rice from the Puncak Jaya regency administration has also yet to reach those it is meant for and remains in storage in Nabire.

Ibo said the rotting food remained idle because of a lack of money to transport it to needy areas. He said chartering a Twin Otter airplane for a single flight, for example, would cost about Rp 6 million (US$705).

The transportation problem is not only affecting those in famished villages, but also those living in Mulia, the regency's capital.

"Don't be surprised if prices reach sky-high in Mulia. One kilogram of rice could cost Rp 8,000, sugar Rp 5,000 per kg and cooking oil Rp 22,000 per liter, while cement could hit about Rp 450,000 for each sack," Ibo said.