Refugees die of starvation

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)