EU gives Rp 40m for refugees

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)