Quake victims 'discriminated against'

MANOKWARI, Papua: Thousands of people affected by an earthquake in Ransiki, Oransbari and Anggi districts in Manokwari regency, Papua, have been living in poor conditions for a month without assistance.

Ransiki district administration secretary Yosep Insyir said that the locals in the three districts seriously needed various assistance including food, home appliances and moral support.

Manokwari regent Dominggus Mandacan regretted that the central and provincial government had yet to give necessary aid to the victims although his administration had proposed it.

"The central government has taken discriminative action as it only prioritizes earthquake victims in Aceh," he said.

Last week's earthquake in Aceh, measuring 7.6 on the Richter Scale, killed several people and caused losses worth Rp 166 billion (US$18.4 million). --Antara.