New homes for quake victims

BIAK, Irian Jaya: Minister of Social Services Inten Suweno inaugurated 4,204 houses yesterday for victims of last year's massive earthquake here.

The ceremony was held in Saukobiye village in Biak Numfor regency and attended by Irian Jaya Governor Jacob Pattipi.

The devastating quake on Feb. 17, 1996, measured 7.0 on the Richter scale and claimed the lives of 113 people. More than 5,500 houses were destroyed.

The new houses were built with the aid of the military, who had been assigned to help in rebuilding the area following the catastrophe.