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Indonesia concerned with Aceh children orphaned in disaster
3/1/2005 21:22

The Indonesian government said Monday it plans to form a special foundation to have custody of the children in Aceh orphaned in the Dec. 26 tsunami that killed more than 95,000 people in the province.

Vice President Jusuf Kalla told reporters here the government plans to build a large orphan house in the Aceh capital of Banda Aceh and will build another in Medan, North Sumatra, if still many Aceh children cannot be accommodated.

"After that, we will think about adoption," he added.

Kalla said an interdepartmental team will be tasked with takingcare of the Aceh orphans.

Separately, Minister of Justice and Human Rights Affairs Hamid Awaluddin said the government has issued a ruling that bans Aceh children under the age of 16 years old from being taken abroad to prevent illegal adoption and illicit trafficking in human.

He made the remarks over reports of illegal trade of Aceh children.

"We will increase controlling measures at exits in Aceh and Medan," he said at the presidential palace here.



 Xinhua