U.S. provides funds for Atauro

DILI, East Timor: The U.S. government has provided US$25,000 in aid to alleviate poverty in Atauro island, just north of here, a local official has said.

Dili regent Domingos M.D. Soares, whose area of jurisdiction includes Atauro, said Wednesday that the money would be used for income-generating projects.

Soares said the local administration was still deciding what projects would be appropriate.

Antara reported that the island, inhabited by 8,000 families, is facing starvation due to the prolonged dry season. The East Timor provincial government has already shipped 10 tons of rice to the island.

"The rice has been a great help to the Atauro people," he said. (pan)