https://doi.org/10.26593/jihi.v19i1.5650.79-93 Surviving in the Post-Repatriation Era: Challenges and Opportunities for Papuan refugees after returning from Papua New Guinea Melyana R. Pugu 1 , Mariana E. Buiney 2 , Meyland S.F. Wambrauw 3 Claudia C. Renyoet 4 , Mariolin Sanggenafa 5 , Johni R.V. Korwa 6 1 Faculty of Social Politics and Sciences, Cenderawasih University, Indonesia, puguratana@yahoo.com 2 Faculty of Social Politics and Sciences, Cenderawasih University, Indonesia, yanabuiney@gmail.com 3 Faculty of Social Politics and Sciences, Cenderawasih University, Indonesia, wmeyland@yahoo.com 4 Faculty of Social Politics and Sciences, Cenderawasih University, Indonesia, claudiaudy14@gmail.com 5 Accounting Study Program, Cenderawasih University, Indonesia, mariolin83@gmail.com 6 Faculty of Social Politics and Sciences, Cenderawasih University, Indonesia, korwajohni@yahoo.com ABSTRACT Although many studies have been carried out on the living conditions of Papuan refugees in Papua New Guinea, little is known about what happens to them once they have been repatriated to the Indonesian province of Papua. This study seeks to fill this void. By focusing on two areas of repatriants’ settlement in Papua Province (Kwimi village of Keerom and Nasem village of Merauke), this article examines their living conditions in the post-repatriation period and identify ways in which the Indonesian government can improve its repatriation program. Data were gathered through focus group discussions, observation, and library research between the second and third week of December 2021. This research, based on a qualitative descriptive approach, found that Papuan repatriants faced difficulties adjusting to life after repatriation. Among their challenges are reintegrating into the community, finding employment, funding their children’s education, gaining livelihoods, and clashing with land settlements. These difficulties stem from the government’s inability to provide proper assistance to repatriated individuals within the first five years of their settlement, which results in challenges for them during the reintegration process. This research also offers recommendations for Indonesia’s central and local governments to formulate a coordinated policy in handling repatriants; develop a project plan in the first five years covering the principles of safety, protection, mentoring, empowerment; and consider the repatriation issue in the country’s best interest. Keywords: Papua; Papua New Guinea; repatriants; refugee ABSTRAK Penelitian tentang keberadaan para pengungsi asal Papua di Papua Nugini telah banyak dilakukan, namun perkembangan pengungsi yang kemudian dipulangkan kembali ke Indonesia (Provinsi Papua) belum banyak diketahui. Artikel ini bertujuan untuk meneliti hal tersebut dengan fokus pada dua kabupaten di Provinsi Papua (Kampung Kwimi di Kabupaten Keerom dan Kampung Nasem di Kabupaten Merauke). Penelitian ini menjelaskan tentang kondisi kehidupan para pengungsi setelah proses repatriasi (pemulangan kembali) dan mengidentifikasi hal-hal yang perlu ditingkatkan oleh Pemerintah Indonesia dalam program repatriasi. Sumber data diperoleh melalui kelompok diskusi terarah, observasi, dan studi pustaka yang dilakukan pada minggu kedua dan ketiga di bulan Desember tahun 2021. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah deskriptif kualitatif dan penelitian ini menemukan bahwa para repatrian mengalami kesulitan dalam beradaptasi dengan kehidupan di Papua. Tantangan yang dihadapi repatrian seperti: beradaptasi kembali dengan masyarakat, mencari pekerjaan, membiayai sekolah anak-anak, mencari nafkah, dan masalah tanah pemukiman. Berbagai kesulitan ini diakibatkan oleh ketidakmampuan pemerintah dalam mendampingi mereka pada masa lima tahun awal kembali ke Papua yang menyebabkan repatrian mengalami kendala dalam proses reintegrasi. Penelitian ini juga memberikan rekomendasi bagi Pemerintah Pusat dan Pemerintah Daerah setempat dalam menyusun kebijakan 79