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