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