Two naval ships to take food to Irian

JAKARTA: Two Indonesian naval ships have been prepared to deliver food and medicine to Irian Jaya areas hit by food shortages as a result of the drought, Antara reported yesterday.

The Navy information service here announced Sunday that the two landing ship tanks, the KRI Teluk Berau and the KRI Teluk Jakarta, are ready to deliver the supplies donated by Indonesian institutions, foundations and individuals.

The news agency did not say when the operations would start.

Four hundred and thirteen people have died of drought-related illnesses and starvation in the Irian Jaya regencies of Jayawijaya and Merauke over the past few months. (swe)