Famine Disaster in Mountainous Papua, 11 Residents Reported Dead

District Head of Amuma, Zakeus Lagowan, stated when contacted from Jayapura on Tuesday (17/10/2023), that starvation resulted in the loss of nine infant and child lives, as well as two adults.

"Nine deaths occurred in September, involving babies and children. Meanwhile, in early October, there were reports of two more adult deaths," he said.

At present, the Amuma District is still verifying with the village chief regarding the identity of the deceased victim.

Also Read: Drought and Famine in Central Papua, Six Deaths

According to Zakeus, high rainfall has caused crops to fail for residents. "This harvest failure happened in 13 villages in Amuma District, which is also the place where residents have passed away. The community has lost a source of food," he said.

He mentioned that the residents in the villages of Amuma District rely on crops from their own gardens. However, when the rainy season arrives, various pests such as caterpillars destroy the tubers grown by residents. The leaves also become damaged and unable to be consumed.

Some residents, according to Zakeus, had chosen to flee to neighboring districts. However, he then urged the residents to return and receive the distribution of rice from the Yahukimo Regency Government.

"In early October (2023), we distributed four tons from the government (Yahukimo). We distributed them from Dekai with a total flight cost of Rp 90 million. The flight cost was covered by government funding and personal loans," he said.

Meanwhile, in his written statement, Bupati Yahukimo Esau Miram revealed that his team has not yet received any reports concerning the deaths caused by the famine disaster. The Yahukimo Regency Government will only summon village or district head representatives to obtain statements and complete victim death data.

Also Read: Famine Hits Two Districts in Central Papua, Government Declares Emergency Response

Esau stated that the Government has made efforts to prevent various disasters in several districts, including Amuma. They have sent rice aid that was also distributed by the Amuma district government.

"The assistance was sent after a report from one of the village head representatives from Amuma District regarding the situation and condition of Amuma District, which has been hit by rainy weather recently," said Esau.

Head of the Jayapura Climatology Station, Sulaeman, stated that in recent times, most areas in the Yahukimo Regency have been continuously drenched with rain. The peak of the dry season ended in September 2023, and since then, the Yahukimo region has been continuously showered with high intensity rain.

This is in line with what Zakeus stated - the onset of the rainy season in September caused crops in the residents' plantations to fail. Dried yams along with their leaves were overrun by mold and eaten by worms, rendering them inedible.

Also Read: Prone to Shooting, Distribution of Drought Disaster Aid in Central Papua is Hampered

Although currently the food needs of residents are gradually being met, Zakeus hopes that the government will again prepare additional staple food needs.

"We are currently gathering data on the number and identities of the citizens who have passed away in order to report them to the Regent. Hopefully, aid will be provided once again to prevent any further casualties," said Zakeus.

According to Kompas's notes, throughout 2023, famine also claimed lives in Puncak Regency, Central Papua, in July 2023. As many as six residents died and affected at least 7,500 people. This incident was triggered by drought in the area for the last two months.