Komnas HAM Records 124,931 Refugees from Central Papua Conflict, What Is Their Fate?
The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) estimates that there are around 124,931 refugees in Central Papua as a result of the ongoing conflict there. Komnas HAM is encouraging stronger cross-ministerial and inter-agency collaboration to respond to the humanitarian situation.
Komnas HAM Commissioner for Monitoring and Investigation, Saurlin P. Siagian, said the situation in Central Papua remains in a dynamic state of emergency. The conflict has not only caused fatalities but has also forced thousands of people to leave their homes and scatter to various locations.
“The emergency situation is still dynamically occurring in the area, where shootings have resulted in 12 deaths and thousands of refugees have spread to various locations,” Saurlin said in a statement quoted on Thursday (14/8/2026).
Saurlin stated that the conditions require serious attention from technical ministries and agencies because the number of affected people needing assistance is substantial. He mentioned that an estimated 124,931 refugees require aid, including basic necessities such as food, clothing, and health services.
Saurlin assessed that handling the refugees requires stronger coordination so that the assistance provided truly meets the needs of the affected communities. According to him, identifying the needs of the refugees is a crucial step to ensure aid is available and well-targeted.
“It is important to identify the needs of the refugees and coordinate the assistance,” Saurlin said.
Therefore, Komnas HAM is encouraging collaboration between the Ministry of Social Affairs and various parties in handling the refugees in Central Papua. He stated that addressing the humanitarian issues in the region cannot be shouldered by just one institution.
“We view it as important to collaborate with the Ministry of Social Affairs in handling these refugees in Central Papua,” Saurlin said.
The push for collaboration was conveyed by Saurlin during an audience with Deputy Minister of Social Affairs Agus Jabo Priyono. In the meeting, Saurlin presented the humanitarian situation and conditions in Central Papua, as well as the needs of the refugees which require cross-sectoral support.
In response, Agus Jabo stated that the Ministry of Social Affairs has provided emergency aid to the affected communities in Central Papua. In Puncak Regency, the ministry previously provided aid to 1,013 refugees in the form of basic foodstuffs and clothing, with a total value of Rp150 million.
Agus explained that the subsequent distribution of aid depends on the response or proposal from the local government, accompanied by data on the refugees. The Ministry of Social Affairs also provides compensation for victims who have died and those who have been injured.
In the context of cross-ministerial coordination, Agus proposed that Komnas HAM coordinate with the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture (Kemenko PMK). Agus mentioned that Kemenko PMK can help coordinate other technical ministries in handling the issue.