EU gives Rp 40m for refugees

KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: The European Union has provided the Indonesian government with Rp 40 million in aid for the continuation of the resettlement program for some 200,000 East Timor refugees who have opted to remain in Indonesia.

The head of East Nusa Tenggara Resettlement and Regional Infrastructure office Piet Djami Rebo told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday that the money would be used to finance the construction of 1,500 houses for the refugees in separate areas in the province.

"The regencies of Kupang, Central Timor Selatan, Central Timor Utara, Belu, Sumba and Flores have offered land for the refugees' houses," he said.

"We have built 2,300 houses in several areas in the province for the refugees since the resettlement program started early last year."

The project was stopped due to a shortage of funds. "Now that we will receive financial aid from the European Union the project can resume." (30/sur)