Indonesia, West Papua – The humanitarian crisis in West Papua continues. As of mid-August 2025, more than 80,709 people in West Papua [1] remain internally displaced as a result of armed conflict between Indonesian security forces and the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB).
New internal displacements due to security force operations were reported in the regencies of Puncak Jaya and Pegunungan Bintang. IDPs from the districts of Tangma and Ukha returned to their villages on 10 July 2025 after the Papuan Justice and Human Integrity Foundation (YKKMP) facilitated their return.
In July 2025, the Diocese of Timika raised serious concerns about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in West Papua due to intensifying armed conflict between Indonesian security forces (TNI-POLRI) and the TPNPB. The conflict has escalated with security forces using sophisticated weapons, including fighter jets, mortars, bombs, and drones, while deliberately targeting not only armed groups but also civilian infrastructure such as villages, schools, hospitals, churches, and residential areas. This has resulted in thousands of civilians being forced to flee their homes, with 4,469 displaced persons currently in Puncak Regency and 1,231 in Intan Jaya District.
The Diocese of Timika has called for immediate humanitarian intervention, urging all parties to implement a humanitarian pause, cease hostilities in civilian areas, and create war-free zones to allow humanitarian assistance to reach displaced populations. The Church specifically demands that security forces stop military-style policies against civilians in IDP camps, including restrictions on farming and mandatory reporting requirements that threaten food security. Additionally, they are calling for the suspension of investments in West Papua, a review of natural resource exploitation permits, and a genuine government presence to provide essential services to IDPs. The Diocese emphasizes the need for civilized conflict resolution through political dialogue with neutral third-party mediation, highlighting that underlying issues include not only political independence but also investment-related concerns affecting indigenous communities customary rights.
Lumo district, Puncak Jaya regency
On 11 August 2025, a joint Indonesian security force operation reportedly took place in the Lumo District, Puncak Jaya Regency, Central Papua Province, resulting in humanitarian consequences for the civilian population. Numerous residents allegedly fled into the forests for safety, while several people were reportedly arrested. According to the information received, multiple children went missing during the chaos, with no comprehensive evacuation process initiated as of the reporting date. The operation destroyed civilian homes through burning, with only the GIDI Lumo Church left standing. The church building has been converted into a military post by Indonesian security forces. The ongoing nature of these military operations has created an urgent humanitarian crisis, prompting calls from local sources for immediate advocacy and assistance for the IDPs from community and humanitarian organisations, as many IDPs remain in the forest without humanitarian access.
Oksop district, Pegunungan Bintang regency
Since early July 2025, civilians from Oksop District in Pegunungan Bintang Regency have been forced to flee their homes due to intensive Indonesian military operations. The military has occupied key civilian infrastructure, such as the district government office, the GIDI Evesus Sape Church, and residential areas, effectively taking control of public services that civilian authorities should manage. This military takeover has extended to health services, education, and food distribution, creating a militarised environment that violates the principle of separation between civilian and military functions as outlined in international humanitarian law.
As of July 2025, displaced civilians remain scattered across four documented IDP camps in forest areas around the Oksop District, with some seeking refuge in neighbouring districts. The most recent displacement reportedly occurred on 12 July 2025, when military operations in Alukbakon Village resulted in the burning of civilian homes, forcing mothers with infants and toddlers to establish temporary shelters in the wilderness. These displaced populations lack access to food, clean water, medical services, and adequate legal protection, while military restrictions on aid routes have prevented humanitarian organisations from reaching isolated IDP shelters in forest areas.
The Department of Law and Human Rights of the Indonesian Evangelical Church (GIDI) has called for immediate action. They demand that military forces cease operations in civilian areas, vacate occupied churches and government buildings, and allow IDPs to return safely to their homes.
Puncak regency
Since February 2025, 4,469 civilians from the districts of Gome, Gome Utara, Omukia, Sinak Barat, and Pogoma in the Puncak Regency, Central Papua Province, have been displaced due to escalating armed conflict between Indonesian security forces and the TPNPB. The displacement was triggered by the deployment of hundreds of security personnel via 18 helicopters to multiple locations, leading to subsequent military operations that resulted in the burning of civilian homes, including 21 residential houses in the Omukia District alone. The displaced population is currently living in overcrowded temporary shelters with 100-150 people per tent, facing severe shortages of food, clean water, and medical care. Six IDPs have reportedly died from illness in the camps, while four others are suspected to have been killed by gunfire.
The displaced populations are receiving minimal government assistance, with some IDPs reporting five sacks of rice, instant noodles, and cooking oil as aid. Many IDPs who fled to neighbouring areas like Nabire are staying with residents who are themselves struggling financially, with no official support from district or provincial authorities. The crisis has reportedly left more than 200 children without access to education, 48 churches empty, and entire districts abandoned as residents are afraid to return home due to ongoing military presence and operations. Human rights activists describe that the root cause of displacement is the military presence itself, which creates fear and trauma among the indigenous population.
Greater Aifat area, Maybrat regency
Approximately 6,000 residents from the Aifat area in Maybrat Regency have remained internally displaced since the armed conflict between Indonesian security forces and the TPNPB in 2021. These IDPs are currently scattered across multiple districts, including Sorong, Maybrat, Tambrauw, and Bintuni, where they continue to live in displacement camps because the security situation remains unsafe and their fundamental rights as IDPs have not been adequately guaranteed by the government. The displaced population survives through subsistence farming, sago processing, and other survival activities to meet basic needs, including food, children's education, and healthcare, but they face significant challenges due to their distance from their ancestral land and livelihoods.
While the government provided initial attention during the early displacement period, church workers noted that regular government support has since ceased, leaving critical needs, such as healthcare, education, housing, and economic support unmet. The Catholic Justice and Peace Desk of the Augustinian Order in West Papua (SKPKC OSA) has stepped in to provide essential services, including healthcare, literacy programs, trauma healing, spiritual support, clean water infrastructure, and food assistance. Local officials acknowledge that several districts in Aifat have not fully recovered.
Kiwirok district, Pegunungan Bintang regency
Many residents of the Kiwirok District in Pegunungan Bintang Regency remain internally displaced since the 2021 military operations and continue to face a humanitarian crisis. As of July 2025, the IDPs are living in forest camps under dire conditions, suffering from widespread health issues, including stomach pain, eye infections, dental problems, respiratory difficulties, malaria, fever, and various other ailments. The death toll among IDPs continues to rise due to the absence of proper medical care, food supplies, and essential services, while the local government has failed to acknowledge or address the humanitarian crisis. Despite attempts by medical teams to provide limited treatment, the inadequate facilities and restricted access have left civilians desperately in need of humanitarian intervention.
The security situation in Kiwirok remains heavily militarised with six military posts housing more than a hundred security personnel, comprising military special forces (Kopassus), Police Mobile Brigade Special Task forces (Brimob), and intelligence officers. This extensive military presence, combined with ongoing drone surveillance and air operations, has created a climate of fear that continues to drive residents into forest hideouts where they live in constant trauma. The militarisation extends across multiple districts in Pegunungan Bintang, with similar deployments in Oksop, Warasamol, and Diokmot districts, perpetuating the cycle of displacement that has persisted in the regency since 2021.
Districts Tangma and Ukha, Yahukimo regency
More than 600 residents from Tangma and Ukha Districts in Yahukimo Regency reportedly fled to the Kingmi Yeriko Halihalo Church compound following an armed clash between Indonesian security forces and the TPNPB on 15 June 2025. The gunfight resulted in the deaths of civilian Mesak Asipalek (45), who was shot in the head. The violence caused the displacement of approximately a quarter of Tangma District's total population.
The Papuan Justice and Integrity Foundation (YKKMP) facilitated the return of IDPs to their villages through a comprehensive peace process that included negotiations and the installation of billboards prohibiting bloodshed in the area. On 10 July 2025, YKKMP officially declared that IDPs could return home after confirming that TPNPB forces had withdrawn from the area, while simultaneously calling for the withdrawal of non-organic TNI troops from Mount Ongolo. The initiative received broad community support from traditional leaders, church officials, and village heads who issued nine demands, including the withdrawal of non-organic security forces and accountability for civilian deaths.
IDPs across West Papua, Indonesia, as of 13 August 2025 (see original document)