Islanders told to go home

Islanders told to go home

TERNATE, Maluku: North Maluku Regent Abdullah Assagaf has told
residents of Obi islands who still live in makeshift shelters
after the recent earthquake that it is now safe for them to
return to their homes.

Abdullah on Monday was visiting the ravaged island to inspect
the damage.

He said that the residents shouldn't stay too long in their
temporary shelters because they are exposing themselves to
possible diseases.

He also promised to help the islanders rebuild their homes and
villages and will send word to the authorities once he has made
an inventory of the extent of the damage.

One villager was killed and hundreds of houses were destroyed
in the quake which struck the island on Oct. 8. (emb)