Swiss airline offers Irian help

Swiss airline offers Irian help

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: A Swiss airline, Heli Swiss, has offered
its assistance to Irian Jaya Governor J. Pattipi to transport
food to people living in the province's remote areas which are
suffering from food shortages.

Head of the provincial civil defense unit (Hansip), Sam
Leimena, told Antara here yesterday that the provincial
administration received the Swiss offer late last month.

He said the governor welcomed the offer and asked the airline
to come as soon as possible.

Australia also recently sent a Twin Otter aircraft from Maf
Australia along with its pilot and co-pilot to help the local
administration cope with the food shortage.

The plane has returned to Australia even though its help is
still badly needed there.

"Therefore, the assistance of Heli Swiss will be very helpful
in sending foodstuffs to the remote villages mostly located on
mountain slopes," Leimena said.