President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has summoned the Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs, Muhadjir Effendy to discuss the drought in Puncak Regency, Central Papua. Muhadjir stated that logistics supplies to affected areas are already moving unimpeded.
“They have also landed in the Agandugume valley, which was not possible yesterday, so now they can land there although not at maximum. But God willing, it has been overcome,” he said at the Presidential palace complex in Jakarta, Tuesday (8/8).
Since Central Papua is currently undergoing the dry season, Muhadjir stated that the government will be supplying logistics aid for at least the next three months. In addition, Muhadjir also stated that Jokowi has agreed to plans for a food estate being built in Agandugame valley.
“It has already been approved by the President, later we will be building a food estate in the Agandugame valley to cover the three districts over there. In the valley, there are three districts, permanent security personnel will be stationed there since they do not have them yet,” he said.
“We hope that next year, before there is a more strategic solution, we will have dropped the logistics at around March or April so that when the crisis happens, the food will already be available,” he added.
Muhadjir stated that the food estate is needed because the drought in the dry season is a yearly occurrence. In addition, the weather in Puncak regency can oftentimes bring hail and snow.
“This type of climate grows bacteria which later attack root vegetables which are staple foods. This leads to them rotting which can cause diarrhoea when consumed. Later when the conditions are conducive, we will endeavour to handle it more comprehensively from a health and education standpoint,” he said.
“I have already requested several universities including those in Papua to find varieties of root vegetables which can withstand the weather there so that later a more permanent way of handling is possible,” he continued.
The construction of a food estate, according to Muhadjir, will be discussed again in a follow-up meeting involving the Ministry of Public Works and Housing, Ministry of Agriculture, and security personnel.
“This is already underway and I receive daily reports from the Army Commander who continues to keep it moving. I forgot to mention that roughly 2.6 tons can land in Agandugume every day. This includes many things including rice and even rendang, which we also drop there,” he said.
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