Jakarta – Responding to the extreme weather that hits Lanny Jaya Regency in Papua, the government has pledged to maintain food supply and humanitarian assistance in the region. 

The Executive Office of the President ensured quick responses have been well coordinated between related ministries/agencies and local governments.

“The Ministry of Social Affairs working together with the Ministry of Home Affairs, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), and the local government had taken quick responses especially in providing aids, such as staple foods, blankets and clothes for the people,” said the Deputy Chief of Staff for Politics, Law, Defense, Security and Human Rights, Jaleswari Pramodhawardani, Wednesday (10/8).

“The aids have been distributed vastly by any means necessary, especially aiming at the hard-to-reach areas,” she added.

The deputy denied any allegations saying that local communities in Lanny Jaya are experiencing hunger and lacking of food. Instead, the casualties were due to severe illness which might be worsened by the extreme weather condition.

Jaleswari demanded the public not to politicize the natural disaster in Lanny Jaya Regency, Papua, by displaying information and photos that are not related to extreme weather conditions.

“The politicization undermines the government’s effort in mitigating the impact of extreme weather events in Lanny Jaya regency,” she said.

In addition, the Executive Office of the President also encourages local governments in the mountainous region of Papua to strengthen their food security program. By then, the food availability will no longer be an issue, even during an emergency situation.

Since June 2022, Lanny Jaya Regency has been hit by extremely cold temperatures and hailstorms. Three affected villages, namely Kuyawage, Luarem, and Jugu Nomba had suffered from frost and drought phenomenon. As many as 56 cassava and vegetable plantations were damaged, causing 548 households experiencing food shortages.