We thank TNI soldiers, who have given us 'sembako'. We feel that we are being helped with their presence here. May Almighty God bless themKeerom, Papua (ANTARA) - Soldiers stationed in Yuwainda Village, Yaffi Sub-district, Keerom District, near the Indonesia-Papua New Guinea border, expressed their care and solidarity for local residents by distributing "sembako," or staple food packages, to them.
Distribution of "sembako" to the villagers was recently conducted by the Karang checkpoint members of the Indonesia-PNG Border Security Task Force from the 512/QY Mechanized Infantry Battalion.
"Yuwainda villagers welcomed this community service," the task force commander Lieutenant Colonel Taufik Hidayat noted in a press statement that ANTARA quoted here on Tuesday.
Marice, a local resident, was quoted in a press statement as saying that she was thankful for a staple food package that her family received from the army personnel stationed at the Karang checkpoint.
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"We thank TNI soldiers, who have given us 'sembako'. We feel that we are being helped with their presence here. May Almighty God bless them," this 44-year-old woman stated.
The distribution of staple food packages to Yuwainda’s villagers was led by the Karang checkpoint commanding officer, 2nd Sergeant Gaintoro, Hidayat noted.
ANTARA had earlier reported on the Indonesian soldiers deployed in Papua to help the locals through community services involving the provision of staple food, healthcare, mobile library, voluntary teaching, and street clean-up programs.
Last month, in the midst of a resurgence in COVID-19 cases, seven soldiers had donated bags of rice to native Papuans in Baidub Village, Ulilin Sub-district, Merauke District.
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"We shared a little bit of what we get with our Papuan brothers and sisters," Lt Col Albert Frantesca, commanding officer of the 611 Infantry Battalion/Awang Long's Indonesia-Papua New Guinea Border Security Task Force, remarked.
The rice was distributed to locals by the border security checkpoint's commanding officer, Second Lieutenant Nyoman, and six soldiers. The donation is expected to help placate the burden on villagers.
In February this year, several soldiers from the 756/WMS Infantry Battalion's security task force had offered mobile health services to the residents of Beanekogom Village, Tembagapura Sub-district, Mimika District.
Such health services have routinely been offered as part of the task force's community service initiatives to ensure that the locals are in good health, according to officials.
The task force's commander, Major Marolop Edison Bala Hutapea, stated that the TNI is mindful of the difficulties faced by local residents and maintains an emotional connect with them.
Sincerity in conducting community services and tending to the needs of local communities would help in ensuring that the TNI security posts are useful to them, he added.
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Translator: Muhsidin, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
