Over 6,000 Acehnese remain at camps<\/p>\n
BANDA ACEH, Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam: As of today, 6,029
\npeople, or 1,271 families, still live in refugee camps, following
\nthe operation launched by the Indonesian Military (TNI) on May 19
\nto crush the Free Aceh Movement (GAM).<\/p>\n
Burhanuddin, spokesman for the Aceh social affairs office,
\nsaid over the weekend that the biggest group of refugees -- 3,552
\npeople, or 754 families -- were living in a camp in Tapak Tuan,
\nSouth Aceh.<\/p>\n
In East Aceh, refugees number 1,849 people, or 1,849 families,
\nwhile in Southwest Aceh, 294 people are still languishing in
\ntemporary camps.<\/p>\n
The remaining refugees are living in camps in the regencies of
\nAceh Tamiang and Central Aceh, Burhanuddin said.<\/p>\n
"The refugees have been living in the camps for more than five
\nmonths, because they are fearful of their safety if they return
\nto their villages," he said.<\/p>\n
"The rebels have burned down their houses," he added.<\/p>\n
At its peak, the number of Acehnese refugees reached 81,671,
\nthe majority of whom reportedly lived near the strongholds of
\nGAM. At least 40 percent were children.<\/p>\n
Despite claims that the government had distributed sufficient
\nfood, clean water and tents for the refugees, many are suffering
\nfrom various ailments and malnutrition. -- Antara<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/over-6000-acehnese-remain-at-camps-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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