Refugees die of starvation

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: At least 15 East Timorese refugees in the province have died of starvation since September, an East Timorese activist said on Wednesday.

The coordinator of the refugees, Santos Norvaju Ximenes, said the living conditions of the 6,500 East Timorese refugees in South Sulawesi deteriorated after the government halted its financial aid to them.

"At least 15 East Timorese have died of starvation, including five who were sheltered in a refugee camp on Jl. Racing Center," Santos said.

Ximenes urged the government to fulfill its promise to provide Rp 2 billion for the refugees. He said the government had so far only provided Rp 2 million of this amount.

"We know we cannot remain dependent on the government, but for the moment we cannot do much to help ourselves," Ximenes said. (27/prb)