TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Aid consisting of around 15 tons of rice, 300 blankets, 600 boxes of instant noodles, 600 packets of food produces and 600 packets of children's food have been dispatched to hail victims in the province of Papua.

The aid was symbolically handed over by Social Minister, Khofifah Indar Parawansa, to Timika's Head of Social Agency, Ribka, at the VIP waiting room at Timika's Mozes Kilangin Airport on Tuesday.

The Minister was initially scheduled to fly out to Lani Jaya to ensure that logistics are adequately distributed to those affected in the area. However, her plan had to be abandoned due to bad weather in the area. It is known that the Minister for Women Empowerment and Child Protection, Yohana Yambise, was also scheduled to join.

Khofifah's entourage was also supposed to fly out to Tolikara, to meet with the victims of the Tolikara Riots on Wednesday, July 22, 2015.

The persistent snow and hail in the Regencies of Nduga, Lani Jaya, and Puncak, has caused harvests to fail - as a result, 21,600 families across 21 villages in six districts are facing the threat of starvation.

The cold weather has also caused livestocks to perish, in addition to causing harm to the health of scores of residents. According to information received by the Lani Jaya Health Agency, 11 has succumbed to the cold - consisting of five infants, two children, and four adults.

The distribution of aid has thus far impeded by the rough terrain of the affected area - which is located at 2,700 metres above sea level.

ANTARA



