1,000 tons of rice for refugees

1,000 tons of rice for refugees

AMBON, Maluku: Around 1,000 tons of rice donated by the Italian government is to be distributed to Maluku refugees who have returned to their homes.

Maluku Public Welfare Office director Ishak Umarella said Saturday that the rice was now being stored in the Maluku Logistics Depot (Dolog) and would be distributed to the refugees who had already returned home.

"We are worried that if we distribute the rice in Ambon, the recipients will only sell it," Ishak was quoted by Antara as saying.

He said his office would soon draw up a list of returnees in order to speed up the distribution process.

"Coordination is essential in order to avoid overlapping," he said.

Umarella said the government would provide transportation allowances, a cost of living subvention for three months, and working capital for refugees returning to their homes.

"The funds are provided by the Department of Social Welfare. Maluku has already received Rp 3 billion as part of the first disbursement," he said. --Antara