- Surabaya Post
VIVAnews - Willem Taek, 51, has been resolute of making up his choice to leave Indonesia for Timor Leste, a newly-formed state sitting on his former homeland East Timor.
He carries with him 40 sheets of iron sheeting, 20 wooden poles, one sack of clothes, kitchen set, three bags of corn and gardening tools.
Willem is one out of 69 refugees of East Timor who had stayed for more than 12 years in the West Timor refugee camp, East Nusa Tenggara. After four months of waiting, they were finally transported by a number of trucks through Motamasin borders on the south of Belu Regency.
Coordinator of Center for IDP Service (CIS) of Timor Atambua, Anato Bonito Moreira, said that a handful of refugees have their own reasons to return home.
Despite a long yearning of their families, which had been since 1999 abandoned, it is difficult for the refugees to have available agricultural fields near the refugee camps.
"They decided to return home in pursuit of better education and health for the their children," Anato told VIVAnews today, Jan 31.
The repatriation of ex refugees is facilitated by Gropu Servisu Fila Hikas Knua, an NGO in Timor Leste which accommodates various mass organizations.
On the Indonesian side, the involved parties include Centre for IDP Service (CIS) of Timor and Children and Women's Care Forum of Atambua.
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Coverage by: Jemris Fointuna|Kupang
Translated by: Bonardo Maulana W
TNI-Polri Evakuasi Jenazah Warga Korban Penembakan OPM di Papua
Proses evakuasi menggunakan helikopter gabungan TNI-Polri.
