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