Government Distributes Social Assistance in Papua, Strengthening Community Social and Economic Resilience
PAPUA – The government continues to strengthen its commitment to improving the welfare of communities in Papua through various social assistance (bansos) programs. Recently, 25,686 residents in Yahukimo Regency, Papua Highlands, received social assistance from the Ministry of Social Affairs through the Non-Cash Food Assistance (BPNT) program, along with 112 families receiving Phase III of the Family Hope Program (PKH).
The social assistance distribution was carried out symbolically by the Dekai Branch Post Office in Yahukimo, with a total of IDR 26.6 billion distributed to 51 districts and 517 villages. The Head of the Dekai Branch Post Office, Gad Munwo, explained that the distribution process was carried out in coordination with district heads due to Yahukimo’s challenging geographical conditions.
“We hope that the district heads can distribute this assistance in an orderly manner so that it truly reaches those in need,” said Gad Munwo in Yahukimo (10/29/2025).
The Yahukimo Regency Government, through the Social Affairs Office, is overseeing the distribution of Family Hope Program (PKH) funds and the third phase of the 2025 basic food package program. Assistant I to the Yahukimo Regional Secretary, Bongga Sumule, stated that the central government has entrusted the Dekai Post Office to distribute aid to all beneficiary districts.
“We sincerely hope this aid reaches those in need in remote districts,” he said.
Yahukimo Regency is known for its challenging geography, with 46 districts located in mountainous and sloped areas accessible only by air transportation, while the remaining five districts are located in valleys accessible by land and river routes. Despite the challenging terrain, the government remains committed to ensuring that all Yahukimo residents receive social assistance equitably through inter-agency synergy and support from air and land transportation.
Meanwhile, the central government’s caring spirit is also evident in other areas. In Jayapura City, hundreds of residents of Skouw Yambe Village received basic food packages from President Prabowo Subianto to coincide with the 34th anniversary of Skouw Yambe Village.
The Head of the Skouw Yambe Village Consultative Body, Selsius Patipeme, expressed his appreciation for the central government’s attention to the indigenous Papuan community. He emphasized that these activities are not merely a form of social assistance, but also a symbol of concern and mutual cooperation that strengthens community unity and well-being.
In Deiyai Regency, the government also distributed social assistance worth IDR 13 billion through the Family Hope Program (PKH) and community empowerment programs. This assistance is expected to strengthen the social and economic resilience of local residents and demonstrate the government’s commitment to providing equitable prosperity in Papua.
