Jayapura, Jubi – The Agandugume Students’ Association (IPMA) in Jayapura has urged the Puncak Regency Government in Central Papua Province to take immediate action in response to a worsening drought affecting the districts of Agandugume, Lambewi, and Oneri.
In a statement sent to Jubi on Monday (July 6), the student organisation expressed deep concern over the conditions facing residents in the three districts, who have been affected by extreme weather, frost, crop failures, and worsening food and clean water shortages. It said the situation requires an urgent emergency response from the local government.
IPMA secretary-general Wenis Kogoya said the crisis was deeply concerning for students whose families live in the affected areas.
“We are deeply concerned about what our communities are experiencing. We do not want our parents, siblings, mothers, fathers, and relatives to become victims of this disaster. That is why we are urging the government to act immediately,” Kogoya said.
Speaking on behalf of the group’s senior members, Kristian Tabuni said the disaster had persisted from June 18 to July 4, 2026, but there had been no significant response from the Puncak Regency Government or other relevant authorities.
He called on the wider public, humanitarian organisations, churches, and donors to support affected communities.
“We appeal for support and donations from all parties. If assistance is available, we hope it can be delivered directly through Agandugume Airstrip so that aid reaches affected communities more quickly and efficiently,” Tabuni said.
IPMA chairperson Hermanus Murib said protecting residents must be the government’s highest priority.
He noted that a similar frost-related disaster in 2023–2024 resulted in fatalities and urged authorities to declare an emergency before the current crisis claims more lives.
“We urge the Puncak Regency Government and all relevant agencies to immediately save the affected communities. We must not allow another tragedy like the previous disaster. The safety of the people must come first,” Murib said.
In its statement, IPMA called on the Puncak Regency Government to immediately declare an emergency response to the drought in Agandugume, Lambewi, and Oneri districts. It also urged the government, together with the Health Office, Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Social Affairs Office, Agriculture Office, and other relevant agencies, to deploy food supplies, humanitarian logistics, medicines, medical personnel, healthcare equipment, and other essential aid without delay.
The organisation further called on the government to provide air transport to accelerate aid distribution, given the limited access to the affected areas, and to ensure that all humanitarian assistance is delivered through Agandugume Airstrip so it can reach communities quickly and efficiently. It stressed that civilian safety must remain the government’s top priority and urged authorities to ensure all residents in the three districts receive assistance promptly, fairly, and without discrimination.
IPMA also urged the government to develop long-term recovery measures by providing food crop seeds, supporting local farmers, and strengthening community food security. It called on the Puncak administration to respond immediately to requests submitted by the disaster response team and to coordinate the distribution of government and humanitarian aid through the joint response team established by students, church leaders, youth representatives, and women’s representatives.
The organisation said the disaster has continued since June 18 and that, as of July 5, residents were still facing severe food shortages. It warned that immediate government intervention is needed to prevent further loss of life.
IPMA also recalled that the frost disaster of 2023–2024 claimed six lives and urged the government to learn from that tragedy by declaring a state of emergency, accelerating aid distribution, and implementing effective disaster mitigation measures to prevent similar fatalities in the future. (*)