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Country analysis

Indonesia


Conflict in West Papua territory (also known as Western New Guinea) drives the current humanitarian situation in Indonesia. The armed and political activity led by the Free Papua Movement has been calling for the independence of the region since the 1960s. It has resulted in low-intensity conflict with the country’s armed forces. The conflict has also led to reduced access to basic services, movement restrictions, reduced livelihood opportunities for the indigenous population, and displacements. Information on the region is scarce, but estimates suggest the number of IDPs to be from 75,000–100,000.

The Indonesian Government has been repeatedly accused of human rights violations and the violent suppression of the movement. IDPs need protection, shelter, food, NFIs, and health assistance. Some have been displaced to remote areas, such as forests, where access to basic services and humanitarian assistance is very limited.

Indonesia sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, making it prone to multiple natural hazards. This exposure to natural hazards, coupled with rapid urbanisation and low institutional and infrastructural coping capacity to shocks, leaves the population vulnerable to natural disasters.

(EC accessed 04/02/2024, UN 01/03/2022, EAF 11/06/2022, HRM accessed 04/02/2024, HRM 06/10/2023)

Conflict in West Papua territory (also known as Western New Guinea) drives the current humanitarian situation in Indonesia. The armed and political activity led by the Free Papua Movement has been calling for the independence of the region since the 1960s. It has resulted in low-intensity conflict with the country’s armed forces. The conflict has also led to reduced access to basic services, movement restrictions, reduced livelihood opportunities for the indigenous population, and displacements. Information on the region is scarce, but estimates suggest the number of IDPs to be from 75,000–100,000.

The Indonesian Government has been repeatedly accused of human rights violations and the violent suppression of the movement. IDPs need protection, shelter, food, NFIs, and health assistance. Some have been displaced to remote areas, such as forests, where access to basic services and humanitarian assistance is very limited.

Indonesia sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, making it prone to multiple natural hazards. This exposure to natural hazards, coupled with rapid urbanisation and low institutional and infrastructural coping capacity to shocks, leaves the population vulnerable to natural disasters.

(EC accessed 04/02/2024, UN 01/03/2022, EAF 11/06/2022, HRM accessed 04/02/2024, HRM 06/10/2023)

Latest updates on country situation

24 September 2024

Until 19 September 2024, West Papua territory (Western New Guinea) hosted an estimated 80,000 IDPs. These displacements were a result of low-intensity armed conflict between Indonesian forces and the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNBP), especially since 2018. The conflict has continued throughout 2024, with new IDPs recorded between June—August in Maybrat and Puncak regencies. IDPs returning to their villages report a significant presence of Indonesian forces and express concerns about a possible increase in conflict with the TPNBP. The IDPs in West Papua territory urgently need food, healthcare, education, livelihoods, and protection. Many of them have been living in the forests for years and sleeping in the open or under tents. Military personnel are reported to be continuing their occupation of many offices, healthcare and education facilities, and homes. Humanitarian access to the affected people is very limited, mainly with the restrictions imposed by the Indonesian Government. (HRM 19/09/2024, ACLED accessed 24/09/2024, The Diplomat 26/04/2024)

09 April 2024

Since 2018, there has been an increasing number of security incidents and related fatalities, peaking in 2023, in West Papua territory. The region comprises the six Papua provinces of Indonesia. Violence and armed conflict, mostly related to fighting between the Indonesian military and the armed group West Papua National Liberation Army, have caused displacement. As at October 2023, there were an estimated 76,000 IDPs in the region. Many IDPs are reluctant to return to their homes given the presence of Indonesian security forces. These IDPs need food, adequate shelter, healthcare support, protection, education, and WASH services. Many IDPs have sought refuge in forests, where access to basic services is very limited. Many public facilities, such as schools, health facilities, and churches, have been turned into military infrastructure, limiting Papuans' access to basic services. Humanitarian access to the region is very restricted. (HRM 06/10/2023, HRM 18/01/2024, The Diplomat 06/04/2024)

05 September 2023

A combination of hailstorms, frost, and drought, attributable to the global El Niño phenomenon, has destroyed crops and caused food shortages in Indonesia’s Central Papua province, affecting Puncak Regency the most. Around 8,000 people urgently need food assistance. Other needs include blankets, cold weather clothes, and medicine. (STC 05/09/2023, FAO/OCHA 31/08/2023)

current crises
in Indonesia


These crises have been identified through the INFORM Severity Index, a tool for measuring and comparing the severity of humanitarian crises globally.

Read more about the Index

IDN002 - Papua Conflict

Last updated 25/09/2024


Drivers

Socio-political
Violence
Conflict

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

2.5 Medium

Access constraints

3.0

Analysis products
on Indonesia

Indonesia: Humanitarian impacts of continuing conflict in the Papua provinces

15 October 2024

Indonesia: Humanitarian impacts of continuing conflict in the Papua provinces

DOCUMENT / PDF / 341 KB

This report  highlights developments in the conflict in Papua in 2024, which indicate worsening humanitarian needs among affected communities. The report emphasises significant humanitarian access constraints and response gaps and examines the outlook in the coming months.

Conflict and violence
Indonesia: Earthquake in West Java province

25 November 2022

Indonesia: Earthquake in West Java province

DOCUMENT / PDF / 319 KB

On 21 November 2022, an earthquake measuring 5.6 on the Ritcher scale occurred at a depth of 10km in the West Java province of Indonesia. The earthquake has damaged at least 56,300 houses and has displaced around 61,000 people. At least 58,000 people are living in shelters.

Natural hazards
Indonesia: Floods

10 January 2020

Indonesia: Floods

DOCUMENT / PDF / 465 KB

Between 31 December 2019 and 1 January 2020, the Northeast monsoon brought rainfall to Indonesia leading to heavy flooding across the Greater Jakarta area.14,000 people were reportedly displaced on the 8 January, down from previous days' estimates. The displaced are spread across 60 emergency shelters. 

Natural hazards
Indonesia: Earthquake and Tsunami Update

10 October 2018

Indonesia: Earthquake and Tsunami Update

DOCUMENT / PDF / 1 MB

Several earthquakes struck Central Sulawesi province from 28–29 September. Land liquefaction caused by the earthquake also had serious humanitarian consequences as the fate of two villages with approximately 5,000 residents remains uncertain. At least 74,000 people have been displaced and 2,010 people have died, and these numbers continue to rise. At least 616,000 people have been affected.

Natural hazards
Indonesia: Earthquake and Tsunami

01 October 2018

Indonesia: Earthquake and Tsunami

DOCUMENT / PDF / 1 MB

Several earthquakes struck Central Sulawesi province from 28–29 September. The strongest earthquake had a magnitude of 7.5 and triggered a tsunami that hit land at a speed of 800 kph with waves of up to 6m. Around 42,000 people have been displaced and 1,200 people killed, with these numbers expected to continue rising rapidly. At least, 300,000 people were exposed to category 5-8 shaking, while up to 1.5 million people who live in the area may be affected.

Natural hazards
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