Church Council: More Than 107,000 Displaced in Papua as Violence Escalates

JAYAPURA, Indonesia — More than 107,000 people have been internally displaced across Indonesia’s Papua region as of April 2026, according to the Papua Church Council (DGP), underscoring a deepening humanitarian crisis driven by years of armed conflict and intensified security operations.

The figure marks a steady rise in displacement since late 2018, particularly in the central highlands districts of Puncak and Dogiyai, where clashes between Indonesian security forces and armed groups have persisted.

“The situation has not only caused loss of life but has also triggered массовe internal displacement and severely disrupted basic public services,” said the Rev. Dorman Wanimbo, a representative of the council, during a news conference in Jayapura on Tuesday.

Church officials described dire conditions among those displaced, many of whom face shortages of food, limited access to health care, and inadequate protection. Essential aspects of daily life — including education, economic activity, and religious worship — have been disrupted. The expansion of military activity into civilian spaces such as villages, churches, schools, and marketplaces has further compounded the crisis, the council said.

Independent monitoring groups have reported similar trends. Human Rights Monitor, an international rights organization, documented more than 105,000 internally displaced people as of December 2025, rising to at least 107,039 by the end of March 2026. Most of those displaced are Indigenous Papuans who remain reluctant to return home due to ongoing security concerns and the continued presence of armed forces. The figure represents a sharp increase from approximately 85,000 recorded in 2024.

Recent violence has intensified concerns. Between April 12 and 15, military operations in the districts of Pogama and Kembru in Central Papua were reported to have resulted in civilian casualties and widespread destruction of homes. Preliminary reports indicated that between 9 and 15 civilians were killed and several others injured, with at least seven villages directly affected. Some areas remain difficult to access, limiting independent verification.

Critics say that government policy has failed to address the root causes of the conflict. The Rev. John Bunay, part of a network of Indigenous Papuan clergy, argued that development initiatives — including presidential directives issued in 2017 and expanded in 2020 — have been overshadowed by a security-first approach. He cited research by the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), which identified longstanding grievances including racism, uneven development, political tensions, and weak accountability among security forces.

The Papua Church Council has called on the government to halt military operations in civilian areas, ensure greater protection for residents, and allow unimpeded access for humanitarian aid. It has also urged an independent investigation into alleged human rights violations, broader access for foreign journalists, and a renewed commitment to dialogue as the primary path toward resolving the conflict.

Local authorities in Central Papua have deployed emergency response teams and declared a state of emergency in affected areas. Indonesia’s National Commission on Human Rights has condemned the reported civilian casualties. Still, humanitarian groups say the overall response remains insufficient, with the central government often disputing claims that displacement is directly linked to armed conflict.

Internal displacement has been a persistent issue in Papua for years. In 2021, the church council reported around 60,000 displaced people. The number has continued to climb alongside expanded security operations targeting armed separatist groups. []