Elderly and Children Priority During Evacuation

KOMPAS/DAHLIA IRAWATI

At least 120 displaced people from East Java who are fleeing from violence in Wamena, Jayawijaya regency, Papua, arrive at Abdulrachman Saleh Airbase in Malang, East Java, on Wednesday (2/10/2019). A large number of residents have left Wamena after riots broke out in the city on Sept. 23.

WAMENA, KOMPAS — The evacuation of residents after the riots in Wamena, the capital of Jayawijaya regency, Papua, has seen limitations. Women, senior citizens and children are prioritized for the evacuation and airlifted using Air Force hercules aircraft out of Wamena.

The passengers of the hercules aircraft at Wamena Air Force Base Detachment on Wednesday (2/10/2019) were mostly women and children. Men who were allowed to board the plane are those who are sick, elderly or accompanying their wives and sick children.

"We hope the men will stay in Jayawijaya. They are the pillars to redevelop Wamena," said Jayapura’s Silas Papare Air Force Base Commander, First Marshal Tri Bowo Budi Santoso, in Wamena, yesterday.

Yudhi, among those displaced, said residents would not return home unless there was a guarantee of permanent security. "Residents suffer from severe trauma. They lost relatives and all their property," he said.

Yesterday, the economy was gradually recovering in some parts of the city, while in other parts it was still quiet.

Activities in all schools in Wamena are also paralyzed. Health services are available at Wamena Regional Hospital and at two community health centers (Puskesmas).

Jayawijaya Regent John Richard Banua said security in Wamena was improving. The Jayawijaya regency administration, Indonesian Military (TNI) and National Police continue to look after citizens. "The latest data shows there are around 20,000 evacuees," he said.

KOMPAS/DAHLIA IRAWATI

At least 120 displaced people from East Java who are fleeing from violence in Wamena, Jayawijaya regency, Papua, arrive at Abdulrachman Saleh Airbase in Malang, East Java, on Wednesday (2/10/2019). A large number of residents have left Wamena after riots broke out in the city on Sept. 23.

Security guarantee

Yesterday, Kodam XVII/Cenderawasih Military Command chief Maj. Gen. Herman Asaribab along with a number of community leaders from Papua province visited the evacuation camps in Wamena. This was done in order to convince the community leaders not to trust false news about the fate of people.

"We hope the leaders of the congregation believe in the security guarantee for the citizens in Wamena," he said.

The number of TNI/Police personnel in Wamena is sufficient to secure the situation. "We are preparing troops from Battalion 756, Kodim 1702/Jayawijaya, Battalion 501, along with Jayawijaya Regional Police. All are ready to restore the situation," Herman said.

Public Works and Housing Ministry Center for Education, Sports and Market Infrastructure Facilities Development head Iwan Suprijanto said the ministry was collecting data on government buildings and homes of residents affected by the riots on 23 September 2019. After the data collection process, the building debris was cleaned up with the TNI/Police personnel.

KOMPAS/FABIO M LOPES COSTA

Displaced people from Wamena, Jayawijaya regency, Papua, prepare to board a Hercules plane belonging to the Air Force and fly to the provincial capital Jayapura on Wednesday (2/10/2019).

Meanwhile, 54 South Sulawesi residents living in Wamena arrived in Makassar at 2 p.m. local time. They were among the 174 evacuees airlifted by hercules aircraft. The rest are headed for Java. "I am grateful to be saved," said Ledan, 25, a resident from Palopo, a freight car driver in Wamena.

Wednesday at 3 p.m. local time, 120 residents from East Java also arrived at Abdulrachman Saleh Airport in Malang. They were welcomed by East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa. They came from Pasuruan, Probolinggo, Lumajang and Madura.

"My hope is that the situation will soon be peaceful and there will be no more riots," said Ramadhani, 23, a resident from Probolinggo who last year worked at a cell phone shop. He went home with his wife, who was five months pregnant, his nephew and parents.

"The riots began from the periphery. My family was rescued by Mama Manu, a native of Wamena. We were saved at her house and the rioters leave," said Ramadhani.

KOMPAS/FABIO M LOPES COSTA

The security situation in Wamena, Jayawijaya regency, Papua, has return to normal on Wednesday (2/10/2019).

Relations between migrants and residents of Wamena, he said, were very good. They are well neighbors. "Our relationship is fine. I don\'t know the rioters. They are not people from nearby. There are young men," said Ramadhani. (FLO/VDL/DIA)