Government disburses Aceh refugee funds

BANDA ACEH, Aceh: Until July this year, the government has distributed meal allowances worth Rp 145.337 billion (US$15.1 million) for displaced persons in Aceh in the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami disaster here in December last year.

The allowances have been distributed since March for tsunami victims in 20 regencies and municipalities across Aceh, said Hanif Asmara, chief of the Aceh social welfare office.

The tsunami disaster in December last year killed some 129,000 people in Aceh province alone and forced hundreds of thousands others to seek refuge in safer places.

The largest numbers of recipients were in Aceh Besar regency who received allowances valued at some Rp 23 billion. A large number of displaced people are located in this regency. -- Antara