Jayapura, Jubi – Following the military operation by the Indonesian Army in Nduga, Papua since mid-December 2018, local people are forced taking refuge to the forests to save their lives.
“Until now, they live in huts, move from one village to another,” said Alfonsa Wayap, the Chairwoman of Regional Youth Catholic Commissariat of Papua Province to Jubi on (08/01/2019) in Abepura, Jayapura City, Papua.
She said that the health condition of the refugees is increasingly alarming from time to time. Many children and adults currently experience malnutrition. Even some of them died due to lack of food.
“Three infants reportedly died because of hunger,” continued Wayap, who’s also the Secretary of Youth Ministry for Nduga Aid Solidarity.
According to her, the infants who died in Yal Sub-district are two years old Ubugina Unue, one-year-old Bugun Unue and five years old Raina Kogoya.
Further, the local people, she said, also informed that there are ten pregnant women among them in refugee camps. Some church fellows then confirmed that there are four pregnant women in Yigi Sub-district, five from Yal Sub-district, and one from Mapenduma Sub-district.
“Four women identified as Leribina Gwijangge (20), Lerni Gwijangge (18), Elsina Kogeya (35) and Bobina Kogeya (16) have given birth, while others are still waiting for their due date. (*)
Reporter: Benny Mawel
Editor: Pipit Maizier
