Garbage adds refugee problems

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)