Refugees to be moved from shelter

AMBON, Maluku: About 5,000 refugees will be moved from Halong Navy compound where they have been sheltering following the cessation of vicious sectarian violence in the province last year.

Naval base commander Lt. Col. Ibrahim Sadong said on Tuesday the resettlement was in accordance with local government policy and the restoration of security and order in the province.

Ibrahim said the civilian emergency administrator in Maluku had taken the Navy request into account and was looking for resettlement areas for the refugees.

Many of the refugees have been making money from selling goods and basic commodities inside the compound. Some of them have been working as port workers serving ships belonging to the Navy or state shipping company PT Pelni.

They mostly come from districts in Ambon. -- Antara