Jakarta, IO – Yahukimo regency administration in Papua Highland Province, issued an emergency response status from October 21 to November 1 as it suffers from famine due to drought and landslides.
National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) head Lt. Gen. Suharyanto said the status calls for speedier aid delivery to the affected areas, per CNNIndonesia, Friday (27/10).
“BNPB can immediately provide assistance, we will send logistics and budget that can be directly used by the Yahukimo Regency Government and the local communities,” said Suharyanto.
Suharyanto said a ministerial level meeting discussing the handling the impact of the landslide disaster had been held recently at the office of the Coordinating Human Development and Culture Ministry.
Other than logistics, BNPB will also prepare a plane to facilitate the distribution of aid to affected points. “We are preparing 20 tons of rice, 10,000 packets of ready-to-eat food, 10,000 packets of protein biscuits, 5 field tents, 1,500 packets of basic necessities, 1,500 packets of hygiene kits, 50 units of solar power system, and an operational budget of Rp1 billion,” he explained.
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The landslide disaster in Yahukimo has destroyed dozens of houses, while seriously damaging 30 houses and slightly damaging 70 others.
Yahukimo regent Didimus Yahuli said the landslides and drought have also caused crop failure which triggered food shortage. Didimus denied that there is death toll as a direct impact of the disaster. According to him, that was caused by diseases such as malaria and acute respiratory infections. (un)