Mapia Island, Papua – Indonesia’s government through the Ministry of Social Affairs delivered social assistance to the one of the Indonesia’s foremost island, Mapia Island, Supiori district, Papua. Not only as the government’s social assistance but also as an effort to nurture sovereignty in the foremost island.
“This social assistance in Mapia can’t only be seen as social protection, but also as an actual effort to nurture our sovereignty in the foremost island. It’s because if we lose our foremost island, we’re not only losing our territory but it will significantly impact our regional boundaries,” said Senior Advisor of the Executive Staff of the President, Abraham Wirotomo, Thursday (14/9).
Abraham and all the associates from the Ministry of Social Affairs had to sail from Biak Island to Mapia Island using hospital ships owned by Indonesia Military Forces, KRI dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo (KRI WSH 991). After 19 hours sailing through, they start to distribute various kinds of assistance such as food, plant seeds, school supplies, poultry, medicine and medical tools, as well as tools supplies, they arrive in Mapia Island, Tuesday (12/9).
Mapia Island located in northern part of Papua, approximately 300 kilometers from Biak Island. This island surrounded by Pacific Oceans, that have been subject of dispute between Indonesia and other countries, inhabited approximately 298 people.
By the time the ship docked, all of the people there, including children, warmly welcomed the group. “Mapia Island’s children are giving the most warm welcome and sing us Indonesia Raya,” told Abraham.
Despite it being located in the foremost island of Indonesia, KSP will make sure that social assistance programs are reached by all the communities in Mapia Island, said Abraham. “It must be worked on. Because it is the President’s mandate that all social protection and assistance programs can’t only be seen and felt by people in Java Island, but it’s for all,” added Abraham.
Abraham saw that all people in Mapia Island already feel the benefits of the government’s social assistance, both in the form of assistance and empowerment. He gave the example of aid distribution in the form of pumps and water storage, so they have access to fresh water. “All the households here, they can ease the solar powered lighting which previously still used oil lamp,” said Abraham.
“Another example is coconut cooking oil machine maker, so people won’t wait longer to get palm oil,” he added.
However, according to Abraham, the government still work on to fulfill Mapia’s people needs, especially related to providing education and health facilities. One of them is the availability of access for elementary school graduates.
“In these islands there are no junior high schoolers. The closest distance to the city of Biak is around 19 hours for one sea trip. KSP will discuss this with related parties,” he concluded.
