500 quake victims remain in camps

500 quake victims remain in camps

PALU, Central Sulawesi: More than 500 people, made homeless
after an earthquake on Sunday jolted Tojo subdistrict and other
areas in the violence-hit regency of Poso, Central Sulawesi, are
being housed in makeshift tents.

Head of the local emergency task force Abdul Kadir Sidik said
on Tuesday the refugees were not able to return home because
their houses had been badly damaged.

However, he added at least 672 refugees had already returned
home.

Sidik said that although the victims had received enough food
from the provincial administration, they were still awaiting
medical treatment.

"Relief teams from the Ministry of Social Affairs are due to
arrive at the affected areas by the end of the week to assess the
damage caused by the quake," he said.

The quake, measuring 5.9 on the Richter Scale, rocked south
eastern Poso on Sunday.

No casualties were reported, but the disaster damaged hundreds
of houses.--Antara