Indonesia admits slow response to Papua’s health crisis

The health crisis comes as a blow to Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who had promised to bring welfare to the Papuans.

The Indonesian government has admitted it has been too slow to respond to a health crisis in the eastern province of Papua.

Hunger and a measles outbreak in remote areas have claimed the lives of more than 60 children in just four months.

The government has called the measles outbreak an extraordinary situation and has sent food and medical teams to the area.

The military was also called in to help. But, due to the remoteness of the affected villages, many fear that, for some, help will be too late.

Al Jazeera’s Step Vaessen reports from Jakarta.