Wealthy called on to help Irian drought victims
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)