Famine threatens E. Timor villagers

Famine threatens E. Timor villagers

DILI, East Timor: As many as 7,221 villagers on Kambing
Island, just off Dili regency's Atauro Island, could face food
shortages due to drought, an official said here yesterday.

Atauro subdistrict head Fernando Soares told The Jakarta Post
that corn crops on Kambing Island were dying because there was
not enough rain.

"We'll start planting again, but everyone's a bit unsure
because there is no rain," he said.

Fernado said he had reported the plight of the villages of
Vila, Beloi, Bikeli, Makili, and Makadado, to Dili's regent,
Domingos Soares.

Domingos said separately to the Post that his administration
had sent 10 tons of rice to the drought-hit areas. (33)