Garbage adds refugee problems

ATAMBUA, East Nusa Tenggara: As if East Timorese refugees in camps across Belu regency did not have enough problems already, they now have a new menacing problem -- what to do with mountains of garbage.

Atambua's chairman of Uni Timor Aswain (UNTAS) Agustinho Pinto said UNTAS was coordinating with local government officials to overcome the problem.

"The garbage has mounted and really affects the health of refugees especially at this time during the rainy season," he said as quoted by Antara.

Atambua's subdistrict head Bria Seran admitted that the garbage problem has yet to be handled.

"But in a meeting with (Belu) regent Marsellus Bere, we have decided to establish a City Parks and Cleaning Agency soon. But until then, we will have to coordinate with the Public Works Agency to handle the garbage," he said. (hdn)