Rp 3.36b for refugees in NTB

Rp 3.36b for refugees in NTB

MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: The Ministry of Social Affairs
has this month provided Rp 3.36 billion in humanitarian aid for
17,000 refugees in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), a local senior
official said on Tuesday.

"The assistance is the third installment. In the second
installment in January, Rp 2.7 billion was given to the refugees,
while the first (installment) in August amounted to Rp 3.2
billion," Wiranata, head of organization and social aid division
at the NTB social affairs office, said.

He said his office was ready to help any refugees wanting to
return home to the troubled regions of Maluku, Poso in North
Sulawesi, Sambas in Central Kalimantan, and Irian Jaya.

Wiranata said that in dealing with the refugee problems, the
government was providing the victims with funds for food,
empowering them through vocational training and resettling them
in safe areas. --Antara