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Thousands flee, refuse to return as trauma persist over deadly unrest in Wamena
About 1,726 residents were still staying at evacuation sites as of Sunday, while another 15,544 had left Wamena for other cities across the country following unrest that caused up to Rp 479.5 billion (US$33.8 million) in material losses.
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Fleeing residents crowd the Wamena Airport in Jayawijaya, Papua on Sept. 27. (Antara/Iwan Adisaputra)
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ens of thousands of residents living in Wamena, Jayawijaya regency, Papua, still live away from their homes with many having fled the region entirely amid fear of further violent attacks following deadly unrest that broke out late last month.
About 1,726 residents were still staying at evacuation sites as of Sunday, while another 15,544 had left Wamena for other cities across the country after the riots that claimed at least 33 lives ─ most of whom were non-native Papuans ─ broke out.
The Social Affairs Ministry noted that 787 people lived in shelters at the Jayawijaya Military command headquarters, while 239 individuals stayed within the compound of the Jayawijaya Police headquarters.
About 700 residents took shelter in a number of evacuation sites across Wamena, including in churches and mosques, according to the ministry’s data.
Wamena saw violent unrest on Sept. 23 as a mob, reportedly native Papuans, set buildings on fire and attacked other residents with weapons.
The turmoil caused material losses and damages amounting to Rp 479.5 billion (US$33.8 million), as about 124 houses and 663 shophouses, 18 schools and one market ─ among other things ─ were destroyed and burned down during the unrest, the ministry said.
Read also: Regions help residents flee Papua following deadly riot
