Residents and Refugees

The refugees have a strong fighting spirit. Their plots of land are small, but they work hard to cultivate vegetables and other crops. I must admit, they are tough people who never give up.

AGUSTINUS WIBOWO

Indonesian Papuan refugee house in Dome-2 Village, Papua New Guinea

Since 1984, refugees from Papua, Indonesia, have been living in the village of Dome in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Their number now exceeds the number of indigenous Dome residents. According to the village head’s data, only around 700 residents live in Dome-1 village, while 1,700 refugees live in Dome-2 village.

In this densely populated village, food is the main issue. The land in Dome is red and cracked, and not fertile enough to cultivate crops. As the number of refugees grew, competition has intensified for land and food sources.