Japan gives aid for Ambon refugees

JAKARTA: The Japanese government has provided US$48,211 in aid to help transport relief supplies for internally displaced people in Ambon, Maluku province.

A press statement from the Japanese Embassy in Jakarta said on Friday its government had approved a recent request by the Ambon mayor for assistance to transport emergency relief supplies in the troubled city.

Ambon has been hit by renewed attacks since April 25, the anniversary of the South Maluku Front (FKM) separatist group. Between 1999 and 2001, some 6,000 people were killed and hundreds of thousands of others forced to flee in sectarian fighting. -- JP