Hengky Yeimo, Nabire – A humanitarian team in Timika, the capital of Mimika Regency, is collecting and distributing aids for the people of Puncak Regency who fled their villages to avoid armed conflict between the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) and the Indonesia Military (TNI) and police.
Head of the humanitarian team Yunias Kulla told Jubi the team was founded on May 19, 2021 and had been working to raise aid for Puncak refugees since then.
"The team was founded by the Puncak people who live outside Puncak. We are collecting humanitarian aid for displaced people caused by the armed conflict," Kulla said in a Whatsapp message on Tuesday, June 1.
Kulla said the team had received assistance from the Synod of the Evangelical Christian Church in Papua Land. "On Tuesday, we have received assistance from the Synod of the Evangelical Christian Church in Papua Land and the Wahana Visi Indonesia Christian organization. They donated one ton of rice, cooking oil, and instant noodles," Kulla said.
Kulla hoped that the Puncak government would distribute more aid to the displaced people. "We also accept donations from individuals or groups. We accept assistance in any form and will distribute it according to the available data," he said.
Kulla further said that his party would continue to update the condition of the displaced people in Puncak. "We try to give updates about Puncak displaced people through our social media. We have also distributed stickers to the public which include the address of our post," he said. The humanitarian post is located in Jalan Baru, Neighborhood Unit 14, Kwamki Subdistrict, Mimika.
Meanwhile, lawyer Oktavianus Tabuni urged the government to give special attention to displaced people caused by the armed conflict. "The number of displaced people is increasing but they have not received special attention [from the government] yet," Tabuni said.
"Many children in the refugee camps have their rights ignored, including the right to life and health," Tabuni added.
Source: https://en.jubi.co.id/civil-group-distributes-aid-for-refugees-in-papuas-puncak-regency