22 Jul 2015

Weather-beaten regencies in Papua finally get aid

3:10 pm on 22 July 2015

Aid has arrived in the city of Timika in Indonesia's Papua province following a cold snap that claimed 11 lives.

There are reports that15 tons of rice, 300 blankets, and hundreds of packets of food have been dispatched to the victims of the persistent cold weather.

The hail and snow in the regencies of Nduga, Lani Jaya, and Puncak, has ruined crops, leaving more than 21,600 families across 21 villages in six districts facing the threat of starvation.

Farm animals have died and among the eleven people dead are five babies.

Although the worst weather hit two weeks ago, the rough terrain of the affected area - located at 2,700 metres above sea level - has impeded the delivery of the aid.