Indonesia sends emergency aid to Papua as drought kills 6

Indonesia has sent emergency aid to its easternmost province of Papua, where a drought has killed six people, including a baby, and left thousands without water since June, officials said Tuesday.

In total 17.1 tonnes of aid has been sent to the impoverished region including thousands of packets of instant food and hundreds of tents and blankets. Indonesia's national disaster mitigation agency said that the drought has affected more than 7,500 people.

At least six people died from starvation and dehydration. The United Nations has warned the world to prepare for the prolonged effects of El Nino, which occurs on average every two-to-seven years with episodes that typically last nine to 12 months.