Presidential aid for flood victims

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: President B.J. Habibie has agreed to donate Rp 40 billion (US$6 million), Rp 10 billion short of the requested amount, to help relocate flood victims here.

Governor Ferry Numberi told reporters upon his arrival from Jakarta over the weekend that the fund could be used to build modest houses for some 900 families in a safe area away from the glutted housing complex.

Numberi said families who lost houses would receive monthly financial assistance for a year to pay the house rent.

A chunk of the fund would also be allocated for a reconstruction project of the canal in Padang Bulan IV state housing complex, which was still inundated.

Numberi blamed the flood on developers who lacked environmental awareness in the construction project.

One man was killed in the flood which affected over 4,700 families in the town early this month. (amd)