Wealthy called on to help Irian drought victims

JAKARTA (JP): Legislators expressed yesterday shame and concern over the large number of drought-related deaths in Jayawijaya regency in Indonesia's eastern-most province of Irian Jaya.

Antara quoted Simon Morin, from Irian Jaya, as saying the regency had infertile soil, difficult terrain and routinely suffered food shortages. It also quoted Feisal Uray, from West Kalimantan, as saying that the drought-related deaths were shameful and that big businesses should promptly help ease the situation.

"The residents of the regency routinely experience food shortages every year, especially when there's a long drought like it is now," Morin said. "This is a disaster that should be declared a national catastrophe."

Feisal said that everybody, especially conglomerates, had to show concern over the situation and offer help to those who were suffering from food shortages.

He said he was ashamed because while most parts of the country enjoyed self-sufficiency in food, many Irianese were faced with food shortages.

He called on the Irian Jaya provincial administration to intensify its lobby with various parties to get immediate help.

The two legislators were commenting on the recent report that the number of drought-related deaths rose to 217 in the regencies of Jayawijaya, Merauke and Puncak Jaya. Minister of Social Services Inten Soeweno said 253 people died in Jayawijaya alone, 11 in Merauke and seven in Puncak Jaya.

Another 73 people are being treated by doctors in Merauke. Inten also said the government had sent food, medical supplies and other relief to the stricken areas despite the difficult terrain.

However, there were also reports that air operations to relieve drought-stricken villages had been hampered by thick haze caused by forest fires in the province.

Jayawijaya Regent J.B. Wenas also said if the dry season continued for another three months, the regency's entire agricultural crop was doomed.

Morin said yesterday that the number of deaths could actually be higher due to unreported cases. He said the drought had caused an outbreak of cholera that could claim more lives.

Morin called on the government to set up a special team to deal with the problem. (swe)