Rice handouts in Belu in doubt

Rice handouts in Belu in doubt

Atambua, East Nusa Tenggara: The local social affairs office
in Belu Regency, East Nusa Tenggara said on Monday that there was
no clear information as to whether East Timorese refugees in Belu
would get rice assistance from the government after all camps in
the province had been vacated on Sept.1, 2002.

"The refugees in Kupang have received rice aid since last
Thursday. But we don't know yet about the rice for a great deal
of refugees in Belu," he said.

Refugees in Kupang have received 58 tons of rice from the
provincial social affairs office since last Thursday.

"We have yet to receive information about the rice for
refugees in Belu. All we know is that refugees in Kupang have
received rice handouts," Joachim Lopez, secretary of Belu regency
said. --Antara