East Timorese refugees demand aid to live
East Timorese refugees demand aid to live
Yemris Fointuna, The Jakarta Post, Kupang
Hundreds of East Timorese refugees continued to protest in
front of the East Nusa Tenggara governor's office on Monday,
demanding the Indonesian government resume aid deliveries to the
approximately 20,000 refugees entering their fourth year of exile
in the province.
In the second demonstration since last Saturday, the refugees
demanded financial aid, food assistance and grants for small
businesses. They also asked for transparency in the channeling of
a Rp 53.21 billion (about US$6.1 million) grant from Japan.
The cash-strapped Indonesian government halted aid for the
refugees last January. The United Nations also suspended its aid
program and urged the refugees to return to the now stable East
Timor.
"These demands to review the suspension of the aid program are
impossible to meet," said an official from the provincial
administration, Tuce Manungga.
However, he added, a program to assist 574 small businesses
owned by refugees was being discussed with the Kupang
administration.
Regarding the Rp 52 billion grant from Japan, Tuce said a
portion of the money would go toward constructing 4,000 houses
for refugees who agreed to join the government's resettlement
program. These houses are scheduled for development this year, he
added.
"Refugees must immediately make a choice; either go home to
East Timor or be resettled," he said.
Over 100,000 East Timorese fled to the western part of Timor
island to escape the violence that swept across the former
Indonesian province in 1999.
Prointegration militias, allegedly with the backing of the
Indonesian Military, went on a rampage in East Timor after a UN-
sponsored referendum ended in an overwhelming vote for
independence.
Entering the fourth year of exile and after six months of no
official aid, conditions at the refugee camps have worsened.
Feliks Fernandez, the coordinator of the rally, said refugees
were struggling to find food to survive.
Some girls are even selling themselves to raise money for
their families, he was quoted as saying by Antara.
He said the refugees would continue their protests until the
government heeded their demands.