Head of Papua Police Public Relations, Senior Commissioner Ignatius Benny Ady Prabowo, stated to Antara on Saturday that the police chartered a plane to transport food and clothing assistance to Agandugume and Sinak in Puncak.
Agandugume and Sinak are Central Papua regions impacted mainly by extreme weather.
According to Prabowo, the Polri, and the Papua Police had given aid to the Puncak natural disaster mitigation post in Timika, Mimika District, Central Papua.
The assistance, he added, comprised 1,500 essential food packages, five tons of rice, one thousand adult jackets, and 150 children's jackets.
They planned to fly the assistance to Agandugume and Sinak on three flights on Saturday.
Related news: Police Chief sends aid to drought-affected residents of Central Papua
Meanwhile, the Polri Headquarters will also give another 20 tons of rice, Prabowo revealed.
"We will work closely with the local government, district heads, and village chiefs to ensure that the aid is distributed on target and provides maximum benefits to the communities in need," he stated.
Prabowo remarked that the Polri would also send additional personnel to help secure and serve affected residents in Puncak.
Extreme weather conditions in Agandugume, Lambewi, and Oneri have caused crop failures and famine.
Earlier, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy had stated that six people died of diarrhea due to the devastating condition.
The government also plans to build a security post in Agandugume to ensure the aid distribution runs smoothly.
Another effort to anticipate famine in the three districts is to build a food storage facility and a road from Sinak to Agandugume.
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Translator: Evarukdijati, Kenzu
Editor: Bayu Prasetyo
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