9/1/2014 Famine and fraud http://www.insideindonesia.org/?option=com_content&view=article&id=3123:bobby-anderson3&catid=14&Itemid=345&tmpl=component&print=1&layout=default… 1/7 Famine and fraud A story of mass starvation tells us much about media coverage and local government in Papua Bobby Anderson The road from Sorong to Tambrauw Bobby Anderson In early April of 2013 it was reported that at least 95 indigenous Papuans had died of starvation in Kwoor sub-district, Tambrauw District, Papua Barat (West Papua). Another 553 were said to be seriously ill and at risk of imminent death. The deaths had begun in December of 2012 and most of the victims were concentrated in Tambrauwҋs remote villages of Baddei (alt: Bakdei), Jokbi Joker (alt: Jokjoker) and Kasyefo. Tambrauw lies on the northern coast of the Kepala Burung or Birdҋs Head peninsula. This starvation report was particularly ironic in that Tambrauw is located next to some of the richest fisheries in the world. Although much of Tambrauwҋs population is concentrated on, and makes their living from, the sea, the starvation-affected villages are all inland, with the closest a six-hour walk from Kampung Kwoor, and the furthest a three-day walk. This story resonated: it was indicative of the Indonesian governmentҋs callousness toward the indigenous citizens of its easternmost and most under-developed periphery. And for many it was more evidence to support allegations that genocide is occurring in Tanah Papua.