127 treated for food poisoning

127 treated for food poisoning

At least 127 children who survived the Dec. 26 tsunami had to
receive medical treatment in Aceh province for alleged food
poisoning on Sunday.

The victims were among some 1,500 children
attending an arts and creativity contest held to celebrate
National Children's Day in Darussalam district, Banda Aceh. The
children were from refugee camps across Aceh. A number of them
said they believed they were poisoned by timphan, a traditional
Acehnese food made from rice flour, which was served by a
catering firm during the event.

At least 102 of the 127 children
were taken to the Zainoel Abidin Hospital and the remaining 25
were receiving treatment in their refugee camps. Physicians said
they were investigating the cause of the poisoning. The event was
jointly organized by overseas non-governmental organization
Church World Service and its domestic partner, the Education
Institute for the Nation's Children. --JP