Indonesia, West Papua – The period between July and August 2026 was characterised by new conflict-driven internal displacements in the regencies Yahukimo, Intan Jaya, and Paniai. Updated information on the situation of internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Oksop and the Puncak Regency over the same period describe ongoing displacements due to heavy military presence, ongoing security operations, and little or no humanitarian access for IDPs sheltering in forests and host communities. As of late August 2026, more than 127.031 civilians across multiple regencies in West Papua remained internally displaced due to military operations and armed conflict (see table below).
July and August 2026 also marked the first time the Indonesian central government publicly put a figure on conflict-related displacement in West Papua. On 7 July, Deputy Minister for Human Rights Mugiyanto Sipin said preliminary data indicated around 122,000 IDPs. Komnas HAM's mid-year report, presented on 14-15 July, similarly estimated more than 100,000 IDPs, citing the Papuan Council of Churches (107,000) and the Ministry (122,000), while acknowledging it has no precise data of its own. Komnas HAM Commissioner Atnike Nova Sigiro explained that most Papuan IDPs stay with relatives rather than in camps, making them hard to count. The majority of IDPs originate from Puncak, Intan Jaya, Nduga and Maybrat, and live scattered across West Papua in the towns of Jayapura, Mimika, Nabire, Wamena and Sorong. Komnas HAM warned that repeated displacement is producing violations of the rights to life, security, work, health, education, housing and food, with many IDPs struggling to find food at their places of refuge.
On 16 July 2026, eight church bodies grouped in the Indonesian Christian Community Forum (FUKRI, including PGI and KWI) issued a joint statement in Jakarta describing West Papua as facing a structural humanitarian crisis, criticising the expansion of non-organic troops, new defence installations and militarised national strategic projects, and calling for a comprehensive evaluation of security policy, protection of thousands of IDPs, unhindered space for church humanitarian work, and dialogue as the only dignified path to peace. The chairman of DPD committee III, Mr Filep Wamafma, argued on 8 July that conflict IDPs, unlike disaster victims, have widely been ignored by the central government and warned that a traumatised generation of displaced children could fuel future state resistance.
Komnas HAM stepped up its push for a cross-government response. On 10 August, Commissioner Saurlin Siagian told the Ministry of Social Affairs that Central Papua remained in a "dynamic emergency," with 12 people killed in recent shootings and an estimated 124,931 IDPs needing food, clothing and healthcare. He urged inter-ministerial collaboration and corporate social-responsibility funding. Deputy Minister Agus Jabo Priyono stated that the ministry had so far delivered Rp150 million in food and clothing to 1,013 IDPs in Puncak plus compensation to the dead and injured, while further aid depended on local governments submitting proposals with IDP data.
During a visit to Nabire on 16-17 August, Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai insisted that reporting on IDPs must be evidence-based, complaining that NGO, church and community figures vary widely and amount to "speculation". He argued that valid data would help to accelerate government aid for housing, resettlement and livelihood support. On19 August, Velix Wanggai, chair of the Papua Executive Committee for accelerating Special Autonomy development, met Komnas HAM leadership and the Regent of Nduga. Following the meeting, he announced that displacement in Nduga, Intan Jaya, Pegunungan Bintang, Puncak and Maybrat would be handled jointly across ministries under the Committee's coordination. A comprehensive census of Nduga IDPs in Jayawijaya, Mimika, Lanny Jaya and elsewhere is being prepared, along with a 2026-2029 roadmap covering housing, infrastructure, education, health, food aid and social protection. Wanggai also said the Committee is preparing a dialogue on the IDP issue, opening talks with strategic groups on ending armed violence. Whether these commitments translate into assistance on the ground remains to be seen.
Yahukimo
The Yahukimo Regency, Highlands Papua Province, saw a sharp escalation of armed conflict and displacement in July and August 2026, centred on the Korowai area on the border between Boven Digoel and Pegunungan Bintang regencies. In addition, increasing armed violence in Dekai town and military deployments to the Sobaham district in late July 2026, reportedly caused indigenous Papuans to flee their homes. The troop deployments followed the execution of American pilot Nicholas F. Gosselin by members of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) on 2 July 2026.
According to local informants, new displacements occurred on 15 July 2026, when four military helicopters deployed troops to Balinggama village, Sobaham District, causing residents to flee into remote forest areas without food. About 500 indigenous people reportedly fled to the Manggelum District and the area around the Wage Lake in Boven Digoel Regency due to fear of security operations.
More internal displacements reportedly occurred on 19 July, as TPNPB fighters opened fire on joint security forces in Dekai. Thereupon security forces reportedly conducted search operations in the Brasa residential complex of Dekai on 20-22 July, allegedly shooting at houses and livestock and spreading fear among the local community (see photos below, source: independent HRD).
The most significant internal displacement wave in the reporting period took place in the Korowai area. On 22 July, joint security forces launched combined ground and air security operations causing more displacements in the Korowai area. Two civilians were reportedly shot dead by security force personnel on 22 July, with operations still ongoing until 2 August 2026. According to local reports, about 600 indigenous Papuans from the affected settlements fled into the forest, scattering toward Boven Digoel, Pegunungan Bintang, Asmat and Mappi regencies. The exact number of IDPs remain unknow.
Mr Victor Bahabol, a 16-year-old Yali junior secondary pupil from Wanim village (Lolat district), reportedly died on 29 July while fleeing toward Boven Digoel. His body was buried in the forest along the route. As of 21 August, tribal chiefs, churches and activists were still searching for and gathering scattered residents, including at least nine pregnant women and several young children. Video material of IDPs from Korowai recorded in the Tanah Merah, Boven Digoel Regency, indicate that at least one additional IDP had passed away (see video below, source: independent HRD). Field reports indicated that many IDPs had fallen ill as a result of the stresses they experienced during displacement. Reports from 18 August warn that lack of healthcare in the forest camps has resulted in further deaths.
Local sources underlined that IDPs from Korowai have received no assistance from national humanitarian organisations such as the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI). On 21 August 2026, the Evangelical Church in Papua (GKI-TP) together with the Evangelical Church in Indonesia (GIDI) distributed relief goods to IDPs in Dekai. Community groups have urged the state to halt operations in populated areas, withdraw security forces from the Korowai area to allow independent and international humanitarian aid, and have the Yahukimo regency government assess conditions in Korowai, Dekai, Jalan Gunung and Suru-suru.
Intan Jaya
New internal displacements reportedly occurred on 2 August in the Ugimba District. The TPNPB claimed in a 7 August statement that military operations between 3 and 7 August were accompanied by repeated firefights forcing hundreds of indigenous Papuans to flee into the forest and to Sugapa town. The TPNPB framed the operations as part of the government's hidden agenda to clear the way for gold exploitation in the Wabu Block. Local accounts from 7 August described Ugimba residents seeking shelter in the Mbilundoga Village, Sugapa town, or forest caves. On 16 August, Wanibugi Village in Ugimba was reported empty after residents fled, while TNI Habema Task Force personnel deployed additional TNI personnel for 17 August Independence Day commemorations.
Following a field mission from 3-5 July, Komnas HAM confirmed that a series of violent incidents between May and July drove around 3,000 people from Agisiga and Hitadipa districts to the regency capital Sugapa, where they are being sheltered by host families and the local government. Triggers included a suspected drone attack on civilians in Agisiga, civilian fatalities during firefights between security forces and the TPNPB, and new military operations in Agasiga, Sugapa and Hitadipa between mid-May and late July 2026. On 5 July, the police-led Operation Damai Cartenz reportedly distributed 150 presidential food parcels and ran trauma-healing sessions at a camp in Agisiga hosting people from Mbamogo, Soali, Tousiga and Danggoa villages. While few villagers decided to return home, most remain in evacuation sites, without access to housing, livelihoods, health, and schooling. Moreover, Komnas HAM assessed the deaths of two civilians Mr Okto Tigau and Mrs Melkiana Duwitau as violations of the right to life and freedom from torture.
In press release No. 28/HM.00/VII/2026 (15 July), Komnas HAM urged the President, TNI Commander, Police Chief, and Central Papua Governor to support the Intan Jaya Regent in restoring security and basic services in Sugapa, Agisiga and Hitadipa, to conduct an official census of affected households as well as vulnerable groups and asked the Ministry of Social Affairs to deliver logistical, health and psychosocial aid. The central government has not issued a formal response to the press release.
The Intan Jaya Regency in Central Papua Province has become a hotspot of protracted armed conflict between Indonesian security forces and the TPNPB since 2019. On 23 July 2026, the Intan Jaya Student and Youth Movement (GPMI-I) presented data on armed conflict to the Central Papua provincial parliament (DPRP). According to GPMI-I, the regency is now ringed by 33 military posts (6 organic, 27 non-organic), many near villages, schools, clinics and government offices. GPMI-I claims that since 2019 at least 8,898 residents fled their villages to Timika, Nabire, Paniai or continue living in semi-permanent shelters in the forest. 77 civilians have reportedly been killed or injured. Only 7 of 59 schools are functioning, while the Sugapa Community Health Centre remains the only functional health facility out of seven.
GPMI-I and the Anti-Militarism and Investment Front lodged a formal complaint with Komnas HAM in Jakarta on 24 July, and called for a peaceful protest on 30 July with backing from LBH Jakarta, YLBHI and Amnesty International Indonesia. Their core demands included the formation of a provincial investigation team into various cases of alleged human rights violations, such as the shooting of a pregnant woman on 2 July 2026 and the killing of Papuan pastor, Rev Elianus Agimbau, on 29 June 2026. They urged the central government to refrain from the security-based approach and instead pursue a peaceful dialogue between all conflict actors.
Paniai Regency
A smaller displacement wave occurred in Paniai Regency, Central Papua Province on 12 August 2026, when an exchange of fire and pursuit between TNI troops and TPNPB fighters drove civilians out of the Totiyo Village in Teluk Deya District. Local sources confirmed the displacements after the armed clash, without elaborating on the number of IDPs. No official figures, government response or aid deliveries have been reported so far.
Puncak Regency
On 2 August 2026, DPD Deputy Chair, Mr Yorrys Raweyai, visited three districts in Puncak Regency, Central Papua Province. He reported that hundreds of people remain displaced by the conflict, mainly from the districts of Yugumuak, Oneri, Agandugume and Lambewi. According to his statement on 4 August, the IDPs have lost their livelihoods and access to their gardens, their children cannot attend school properly, and they are unable to return home because the situation has not stabilised.
Mr Raweyai also noted that the growing number of non-organic security forces is prolonging the community's trauma. He added that the Special Committee would use its field findings to formulate recommendations after the parliamentary recess. This DPD visit follows Komnas HAM's earlier monitoring of Puncak IDPs scattered across Mimika, Nabire, Ilaga and Gome, which identified at least 506 displaced persons in Mimika and Nabire, and thousands more in the conflict area, with overcrowded shelters, food shortages and lack of access to education.
Oksob District, Pegunungan Bintang Regency
As of the end of July 2026, the humanitarian situation in Oksop District, Pegunungan Bintang Regency, Highland Papua Province, remained unresolved, with part of the population still displaced since early December 2024. Some residents fled the Oksop District to the regency capital Oksibil, while others continue living in semi-permanent shelters in the forest. The IDPs have not returned because they consider the security situation in their villages unsecure due to the ongoing heavy military presence.
TNI personnel remain deployed in the district with regular rotations and reinforcements, occupying the GIDI Efesus Sape Church and guarding the Oksop District Office. According to local sources, the three villages Mimin, Alutbakon and Atenar remain abandoned after security forces burnt several residential houses to the ground. IDPs from Oksob have reportedly been pressured by TNI members and local village leaders to return to their villages. TNI personnel are said to have renovated the Efesus Save Church without consulting GIDI leadership, prompting the congregation to build a temporary place of worship away from the military post.
The local government in Pegunungan Bintang has not officially recognised the existence of IDPs from the Oksop District. Accordingly, IDPs sheltering in Oksibil have received neither protection nor adequate assistance. Education is not functioning normally, health services are disrupted with very limited access to treatment, and economic activity has halted. Displaced families struggle to obtain food, clothing, essential medication, and basic necessities, with elderly and children suffering the most under these conditions.
The church and community list immediate needs such as food staples (especially salt and cooking oil), shelter materials (tents, blankets, cloth, corrugated iron, nails), essential medicines and first-aid supplies, adult and baby clothing, soap and hygiene kits, sanitary products, and tools for building temporary shelters. IDPs have called upon the local government to build a temporary shelter that should be placed under the protection of the church or a trusted civil organisation, together with emergency education for children and health services for vulnerable groups. On 26 August 2026, the STT Walter Post Study Centre in Sentani reportedly collected medical supplies and other relief goods for delivery to the IDPS from Oksob.
IDPs across West Papua, Indonesia, as of 31 August 2026 (see original document)