Volcano victims offered homes

Volcano victims offered homes

YOGYAKARTA: Hundreds of villagers who lost their homes due to the major eruption of Mt. Merapi in November have been offered resettlement in Sudimoro hamlet, Sleman regency.

The local government has acquired 4.5 hectares of land and will build 150 houses and barns spacious enough to accommodate 200 cows, an official said yesterday.

The offer is open to those who refused resettlement on other islands under the state-sponsored transmigration program, resettlement project director Djoko S. said.

The housing in Sudimoro has been designed to accommodate residents of Turgo hamlet, which was the worst hit by the Nov. 22 eruption that killed more than 50 people.

Djoko said the houses, 165 square meters each, will be ready for occupation by the end of February.

To speed up occupancy, prospective occupants will be involved in the construction of the houses, Antara reported. (pan)