Yemris Fointuna, Kupang – The central government handed over 2,000 houses Thursday to former East Timorese refugees opting to reside in East Nusa Tenggara.

The houses were built by the Social Services Ministry in 2008 and handed over by the ministry secretary-general Chazali H Situmorang to the refugees through East Nusa Tenggara Governor Frans Lebu Raya on Thursday afternoon.

Wirasakti Regional Military Command chief Col. Winston Simanjuntak said the 30-square-meter houses were built at several regencies, including 500 houses in Kupang regency and 150 houses in Belu regency.

"The construction of the houses is a part of the government's attention to former East Timorese opting to be Indonesian citizens," Situmorang said.

"This aid also proves the government is trying to improve people's welfare, including former East Timorese."

The government expects that former East Timorese to resume a normal standard of living. Currently there are about 100,000 former East Timorese opting to be Indonesian citizens living in East Nusa Tenggara province.

The government has built 8,000 houses since 2006 and will end the program this year.