Refugees suffer more hardships

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: As many as 365 East Timorese who fled their strife-ravaged homeland to seek a better life in Makassar are facing further difficulties.

The 85 East Timorese families staying at the Kasih Ibu orphanage on Jl. Datuk Patimang lack food and medicine. Many of the refugees are ailing and the orphanage is too small to accommodate all of them, forcing some of them to sleep outside.

Spokesman for the refugees Lorenso told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday that he had asked the local administration for help.

East Timor, the country's 27th province, was engulfed in violence and destruction after residents rejected a wide-ranging autonomy offer from Jakarta in early September. Its capital Dili was almost razed through pillaging and arson.

Many frightened residents fled into neighboring East Nusa Tenggara and other provinces. Jakarta and provincial governments have been overwhelmed by the demands of the refugee situation.

"Since we arrived here on Oct. 20, we have lacked supplies, despite our good fortune in being able to escape the violence in our hometowns," Lorenso said. He warned that the imminent rainy season would worsen their plight.

An orphanage official, Nureni, said the only aid for the refugees was provided by the Ministry of Social Affairs. "The aid is too small to help the refugees. We appeal to other institutions and individuals to help the refugees." (27/sur)