Spreading Compassion to the Inland of Asmat

Enthusiasm of the residents of Jetsy District, Asmat Regency, Papua when Tzu Chi reliefs arrived at the small pier in the district.

Thousands of rivers in the region of Asmat, Papua has become the main transportation for its residents. A total of 22 districts in this regency can only be reached through the rivers for hours. Being far from city, has made the residents in most districts of Asmat underdeveloped and poor. This is further exacerbated by the lack of healthy lifestyle. Hygiene is rarely maintained, hence many diseases strike such as the recent measles and malnutrition, in a level which is taken by the government as an Extraordinary Incident.

Tzu Chi Indonesia responded to this incident by providing a series of reliefs, which continues even after the status has been declared over. On Thursday, February 22, 2018, Tzu Chi Indonesia began to directly distribute 50 tonnes of reliefs to 10 districts in Asmat Regency from the initial 48 tonnes of reliefs. The districts consist of Akat District, Fayit District, Ayib District, Unisirau District, Joutu District, Bamu District, Sawaerma District, Asti District, Siret District and Jetsy District with 5 tonnes of reliefs each.

The distribution of Tzu Chi reliefs was officially opened by the Chief of Staff General (Moeldoko), Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Cultural Affairs Minister Puan Maharani, and the regent of Asmat Elisa Kambu, S.Sos. On the same occasion, General (Pur) Moeldoko also gave a statement regarding Tzu Chi's reliefs to Asmat.

The opening of the distribution of reliefs for 10 districts of Asmat by the Chief of Staff General, Moeldoko, Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Cultural Affairs Minister Puan Maharani, and Tzu Chi volunteers.

A total of 8 long motor boats often called belong by the Asmat people containing Tzu Chi reliefs are ready to be distributed to the designated districts.

"We have the same mission, which is humanism. For Tzu Chi and TNI (Indonesian National Army), wherever there is a disaster, a bad situation, without any command and direction, their sense of humanity are called. I think we have cooperated for a long time, hopefully in the future the synergy between Tzu Chi and TNI will continue to increase," said him.

So did Puan Maharani who was also opening the direct distribution of Tzu Chi reliefs to Asmat. "Hopefully the 50 tonnes of reliefs consisting of various goods to be distributed to 10 districts Insya Allah will be useful for people in Asmat, amin," she concluded.

Afterwards, 8 belong (long motor boat) carrying Tzu Chi reliefs guarded by babinsa (village level noncommissioned officer) of each districts were immediately departed down the river to the specified districts.

Symbolization of Relief-Giving

The belong drove slowly down the Z River to distribute reliefs to several districts in Asmat Regency.

Tzu Chi volunteers were also following a belong to one of the districts to symbolically handing out reliefs for the people of Asmat. After crossing the river in Asmat region for 1 hour, Tzu Chi volunteers arrived first in Jetsy District. While waiting for the belong to arrive in Jetsy District, volunteers coordinated with the chief of Jetsy District, Herman Bunepei, S.Ip.

This district has 8 villages located far apart. At that time of measles and malnutrition, from this district there were 20 people affected and 5 of them died. "Sa (I) is very grateful for the help of dorang and for willingly go to sa (Jetsy) district. Hopefully this help can make my people recover quickly," said Herman Bunepei when welcoming Tzu Chi volunteers.

The good reception given by the Jetsy District residents is greatly appreciated by Tzu Chi volunteers. The residents also served local dishes of young coconuts and sweet potatoes to the group of volunteers  as a sign of good faith and acceptance by the people of Jetsy District.

The chief of Jetsy District, Herman Bunepei, S.Ip upon receiving the arrival of Tzu Chi volunteers.

The symbolic handover of the 2nd wave of Tzu Chi reliefs to the residents of Jetsy District.

The relief goods that were arrived to the district had taken 5 hours using the belong. After arriving at the small pier of Jetsy District, the residents immediately welcomed the arrival of Tzu Chi with enthusiasm. After listening to instructions, the people of Jetsy District immediately began to unload the relief goods, cooperating with Tzu Chi volunteers.

"In each district we are distributing 70 kg of sugar, 210 sacks of rice, 50 cartons of mineral water, cooking oil and baby porridge," said Chandra, a Tzu Chi Biak volunteer coordinating the event. He also hopes that the distribution of Tzu Chi reliefs to the districts could restore the health condition of people affected by the outbreak.

"Hopefully people is always harmonious and free from disaster. And hopefully the Asmat residents can also recover quickly from the disaster," added Chandra. After symbolically providing reliefs to the people of Jetsy District, volunteers immediately set off for Agats City before nightfall came in the inland of Asmat, Papua.

Translated by : Ilena Sevalona