Continue aid for Ambon refugees urged<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Southeast Sulawesi Governor La Ode Kaimoeddin
\ncalled on the government on Tuesday to step up humanitarian aid
\nfor Ambon refugees, particularly those sheltering on Buton
\nIsland.<\/p>\n
Kaimoeddin was commenting on a possible diarrhea outbreak in
\nthe Southeast Sulawesi island after flooding swept away their
\nmakeshift barracks on Sunday.<\/p>\n
\"The refugees have taken on multiple tribulations. While
\nlooking for safety here, they find themselves facing serious
\nhealth problems due to the flood,\" Kaimoeddin said after
\ninstalling the new head of the social affairs office, Tamrin
\nPatoro, in the provincial capital Kendari.<\/p>\n
The governor did not believe the Ambon refugees, mostly of
\nButon descent, wished to settle permanently on the island.<\/p>\n
\"The central government appears to have washed its hands of
\nthe matter after learning the refugees are ancestors of Buton
\nmigrants. (They appear to) disregard the fact that they were born
\nand raised in Ambon.\"<\/p>\n
Field workers estimate the number of Ambon refugees has
\nreached 37,000 and predict numbers will soar to 40,000.<\/p>\n
Incessant rains caused flooding in Buton on Sunday, with at
\nleast 500 Ambon refugee families among people evacuated to safer
\nplaces. No fatalities were reported.<\/p>\n
Kaimoeddin demanded the government dispatch more humanitarian
\naid for the refugees following the flooding.<\/p>\n
\"Frankly speaking, I'm disappointed with the government for
\nignoring Buton people but paying more attention to West
\nKalimantan refugees,\" he told Antara news agency.<\/p>\n
In Ujungpandang, South Sulawesi, some 10,000 Bugis who fled
\nriot-torn Ambon began returning to the Maluku capital on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Coordinator for refugee relocation, Iskandar Prasojo, told The
\nJakarta Post the refugees will be transported by ships belonging
\nto state-owned shipping company Pelni in five stages. The four
\nremaining relocation dates are April 1, April 15, April 21 and
\nApril 29.<\/p>\n
Head of the Armed Forces task force responsible for appeasing
\nthe religious conflict, Maj. Gen. Suaidi Marasabessy, said the
\nreturn of Bugis migrants to Ambon indicated that order had been
\nrestored.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the Ambon District Court began on Monday the trial
\nof a local public transportation driver who allegedly sparked the
\nweeks of bloody clashes. Nearly 200 died in the unrest and
\nhundreds of buildings were damaged. (27\/amd)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/continue-aid-for-ambon-refugees-urged-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}