Deadline set for refugee repatriation

Deadline set for refugee repatriation

AMBON, Maluku: The central government has asked provincial
governments nationwide, notably Maluku, to completely resolve the
problem of refugees by the end of this year, said Memet
Latuconsina, Maluku deputy governor.

In order to help the Maluku provincial government resolve the
problem, the central government has agreed to grant an additional
Rp 150 billion (US$16.6 million) for the Maluku provincial
government, said Memet on Thursday.

There are currently 15,788 displaced families in Maluku
following sectarian conflict that rocked the Maluku islands
between 1999 and 2002. The conflict claimed thousands of lives
and drove thousands of others out of their homes to seek refuge
in safer areas. -- JP