More food aid reaches remote Yahukimo villages in Papua

Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Yahukimo

More helicopters have been sent to drop emergency food aid in outlying villages of the famine-stricken Papua regency of Yahukimo.

The government turned to helicopters to quickly reach the remote areas, which are not accessible to planes due to the absence of an airport.

An Army chopper, piloted by Capt. Agus Yogi, flew to Biagema and Hilipuk villages to drop 10 kilograms of rice, 10 boxes of instant noodles, three boxes of baby food, two boxes of biscuits, 15 blankets, 150 sarongs and a pack of cassava, the staple food of the locals.

Located some 45 minutes flight from Wamena, Biagema is situated in the middle of steep hills. The village can also be reached by river.

Only seasoned pilots are able to fly helicopters through a tunnel-like passage between the hills to reach the village.

Dozens of boys emerged from the trees as the chopper touched down. The helicopter, however, was on the ground for just five minutes to unload the humanitarian aid before it flew to the other village.

"If we stay longer, we couldn't make it back (to Wamena). The weather changes very quickly, and we may be trapped here if the clouds come," Agus told The Jakarta Post.

It took the helicopter 15 minutes to arrive in Dekai, the capital of Yahukimo, to drop off emergency food aid for residents in Hilipuk village.

The helicopter dropped 10 sacks of rice and 20 boxes of instant noodles in Hilipuk.

"We distribute food aid to villages that can't be accessed even by small planes like a Cessna," said Jayawijaya military commander Lt. Col. Sarjono.

Upon hearing the helicopter roaring in, Hilipuk residents came out of their traditional houses called honai to collect the food. The stop-over lasted only five minutes.

The residents looked very happy when they picked up the aid packages.

"Thank you, don't forget to send more aid," a resident told a chopper crew member.

There is no road connecting Biagema and Hilipuk villages with the outer world. People have several hills and valleys to walk through to reach the nearest airport in Dekai.

Green fields mixed with barren land were spotted near the villages. Sarjono said residents of the village would suffer from starvation if they experienced a crop failure due to their isolation.

"Those who live near the airport can easily get food from the city, but people living at the foot of the mountains will face difficulties in securing it," Sarjono said.

The failure to harvest sweet potatoes has been blamed for the famine in the regency, which is home to 55,000 people. As many as 55 people have died of malnutrition.

However, the government has repeatedly denied reports of starvation.

The Yahukimo relief aid task force said those who wish to donate money to help the regency's people should inquire with Bank Mandiri or Bank Rakyat Indonesia.