The donated money will soon be distributed to those in needLubukbasung, W Sumatra (ANTARA) - The Agam District Administration has launched a fundraising program to assist the survivors of the recent deadly rioting in Wamena, the capital city of Jayawijaya District, Papua Province, since Wednesday (October 2).
"The donated money will soon be distributed to those in need," Head of the Social Security and Protection Affairs at the Agam District Administration, Arfi Yunanda, told journalists in Lubukbasung on Thursday.
The fundraising program would be conducted for several days through the district government's internal organisations, he said.
Head of Social Welfare Affairs at the Agam District Administration, Syatria, added that he has no information about Agam's residents in Wamena or the Agam people-based organisation in the capital city of the Jayawijaya District, Papua Province.
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The fundraising program for helping the Wamena riot survivors had earlier been initiated by the West Sumatra provincial government.
According to West Sumatra Governor, Irwan Prayitno, the fundraising program recently held was able to collect Rp3.1 billion, which came from individuals, organizations, mosques, and regional administrations through a gathering called "Badoncek".
Badoncek is a tradition followed by the people of Minangkabau to make a donation for others as a token of togetherness.
Renowned singer, Elly Kasim; ex-minister, Andrinof Chaniago; and Solok City Mayor, Zul Elfian, were among those who donated at the fundraising program to help the West Sumatra migrants, who had survived the Wamena riot.
The donated funds were also channeled by organizations, mosques, and regional governments, such as "Gebu Minang", "Big Family of Solok District", "Fatahillah Mosque of Blok B Tanah Abang", Tanah Datar District, as well as the cities of Solok and Payokumbuah.
Deadly riots erupted in Wamena during a rally that native Papuan students staged on September 23.
A total of 33 people, including a doctor, were killed, while at least 77 others sustained injuries in the riot that also compelled several thousand residents, mostly non-native Papuans, to take shelter in the local military and police compounds.
The dead and wounded comprised non-native Papuans, who were assaulted by rioters brandishing machetes and arrows. Several of them had migrated to Papua from their hometowns in provinces, such as West Sumatra and South Sulawesi, to earn a living.
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Translator: Altas Maulana, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Sri Haryati
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