TIOM - The Papua Provincial Government distributed 1.2 tons of staple food for victims of the frost natural disaster in Kuyawage District, Lanny Jaya Regency, Saturday (6/8/2022).

The symbolic handover by Regional Secretary of Papua, Muhammad Ridwan Rumasukun to the Regent of Lanny Jaya, Petrus Wakerkwa, in the courtyard of the local Regent office. Also witnessed the Assistant Secretary of Papua for Government Affairs, Doren Wakerkwa and the Head of Bappeda of Papua, Johanis Walilo. 

"As Minister of Home Affairs told us that the presence of the government (indispensable) at the scene of the disaster, then we today coordinate, then be present (provide assistance at once) to see closely what must be done next," explained Ridwan, on the sidelines of the handover of the aid.

Meanwhile, the staple foods handed over were in the form of rice, instant noodles, cooking oil, granulated sugar, coffee and salt. The 1.2 tons of aid from the Governor of Papua is all confirmed to have arrived in Lanny Jaya, which will soon be forwarded to residents affected by natural disasters in Kuyawage, Monday (8/8/2022).

In addition to handing over staple food, the Papua Provincial Government through Ridwan Rumasukun handed over IDR 200 million in cash for handling the frost disaster. The government has also previously sent medical personnel through the local Health Department, along with fast food.

"We will continue to build coordination with the Regent of Lanny Jaya and the ranks. We are ready to support what they need because this humanitarian incident is the duty of all of us," he said.

The acting Regent of Lanny Jaya, Petrus Wakerkwa, appreciated the attention of the Papua Provincial Government. He also emphasized that the handover of aid was proof of the attention of the Papua Provincial Government to humanitarian issues in Kuyawage.

"In essence, assistance to residents affected by this disaster continues from the Lanny Jaya regional government, the Papua Provincial Government and the Ministry of Social Affairs. This means that it clarifies the issue of the group that says the local government does not care. That's not true and proof that the government is always helpful. After that, we will deliver it immediately," he said.

Meanwhile, in addition to assistance from the Papua Provincial Government, today (Saturday, ed), the Regional Government of Lanny Jaya has increased the supply of 2.8 tons of rice, 2,000 packages of fast food and 500 packages of adult clothing from the Ministry of Social Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia. 

The Expert of the Directorate of Social and Natural Disasters for the Ministry of Social Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Hosea told reporters that aid would be directly distributed to the affected points.

"The distribution (of aid for residents affected by the frost disaster) is smooth and sufficient. (Apart from the local provinces and districts) as the attention of the central government for the Kuyawage".

"Even before from the Ministry of Social Affairs, it had distributed aid at the beginning of August as much as 2.8 tons of rice, then 500 packages of staple food and 500 packages of clothing," he concluded. ***