Sambas refugees given blankets

PONTIANAK, West Kalimantan: The local chapter of the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) will present 10,000 more blankets to people taking refuge from ethnic clashes in Sambas.

Spokesman of the PMI chapter Sukirdi Hartopartono told Antara on Thursday the second package of blankets was pledged by chairwoman of PMI Kadarwati Aspar Aswin, who is also the wife of the provincial governor.

Last week, Kadawarti handed over 8,000 blankets for refugees sheltering in the Pasir Panjang district last.

Sukirdi said the aid recipients lived in shelters in nine Sambas districts, including Singkawang, Sungai Raya, Sanggau Ledo and Tujuh Belas.

Meanwhile, the provincial riot monitoring post acknowledged the contributions made by more donors, who have raised Rp 161 million for the refugees in the past two days.

Sukirdi said the donors included National Police chief Gen. Roesmanhadi, the West Kalimantan Protestant Church and several local and national foundations.