490 residents in Bibida District, Paniai Regency, Central Papua Province, West Papua, Indonesia fled to Nabire Regency. Hundreds of residents chose to flee because they were afraid of terror threats from Papuan Separatists or Papuan Separatists led by Undius Kogoya.

“Currently, there are 490 residents of Bibida District, Paniai who have fled to Nabire,” said Temporary Acting Governor of Central Papua Ribka Haluk in his statement (June 18, 2024)

Hundreds of refugees were accommodated at the Santo Stefanus Jayanti Catholic Church, West Nabire District, Nabire Regency. Rebekah Haluk promised to find a solution regarding the conflict in Bibida District.

“I promise to find a solution regarding the problems that occur in Bibida District. In principle, the government is a place for people to complain, we will serve and prepare places and food for our residents from Bibida District,” he said.

Rebekah ordered three related agencies to pay attention to the condition of the refugees. He wants the trauma experienced by the community to be immediately restored and they can get a decent life while being displaced.

“The government is thinking about ensuring that the refugees’ needs are met and that the refugees can get a decent life while in refugee camps in Nabire Regency,” he explained.

“I have ordered the Health Service, Education Service and Social Service to intervene to form a trauma healing team for the refugee community, especially for children. We hope that conditions in Bibida District can return to being conducive,” he added.

Operation Peace Cartenz 2024 has captured the Bibida District, Paniai Regency, on June 14 2024. This area has been known to be controlled by Papuan Separatists.

The seizure of this area was carried out during Operation Peace Cartenz 2024 against Papuan Separatists led by Undius Kogoya, who shot residents in East Paniai District on Tuesday, June 11 2024.

Lieutenant Colonel Arh Yogi Nugroho said that Papuan separatists had not yet deterred from disturbing the security and conducive situation in the Bibida area.

“Based on Apkam monitoring, we can see efforts by Papuan Separatists to try again to disturb the community. Facing these conditions, community leaders represent the voices of local residents,” said Yogi in his statement, Tuesday (June 18, 2024).

“He has conveyed his support to Operation Peace Cartenz 2024 to take action against the OPM. Based on observations from Operation Peace Cartenz 2024, Papuan Separatist personnel who tried to disturb the Bibida area, placed their positions in the Bibida Forest and its surroundings,” continued Yogi.

Yogi explained that the Bibida community’s support for Operation Peace Cartenz 2024 was in view of their desire for their area to be safe and conducive.

Therefore, the community has requested assistance from Indonesian Army trucks in the field to temporarily evacuate them from the Bibida area to the Madi Church in Paniai Regency.