Timor-Leste Civil Unrest Situation Report No. 1

Source: United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)

Summary Analysis

* Civil unrest is occurring in Baucau, Dili, Lautem, and Viqueque in connection with the announcement of the new government on the 6th of August 2007 following the 30th of June parliamentary elections.

* In Dili, fewer security incidents have been reported in the last 24 hours, but the overall situation remains volatile. In Baucau and Viqueque, the situation has deteriorated with several reported cases of arson, stone throwing, tyre-burning and illegal road blocks.

* Access to IDP camps in Dili and Baucau is hampered resulting in limited water trucking. Security escorts are being mobilized. Unconfirmed reports of population movements within and out of Baucau.

Background

1. Civil unrest is occurring in connection with the announcement of the new government on the 6th of August 2007 following the 30th of June parliamentary elections. Some of the political protests have turned violent in Baucau, Dili, Lautem, and Viqueque districts.

2. In Baucau, arson has been reported on the CRS and Caritas offices, Catholic kindergarten, Ministries of Labour and Agriculture warehouses, WFP warehouse, offices of national and international institutions, and private homes. There has been reinforcement of ISF in Baucau.

3. In Viqueque, approximately 100 houses have been burned and there have been several cases stone throwing, tyre-burning and illegal road blocks. Families have been relocated to the church in Quelicai.

4. In Dili, most of the disturbances reported involved rock-throwing, tyre-burning, illegal road-blocks, arson, and acts of intimidation. The Customs Office near the Seaport in Dili was torched.

5. Of particular concern is the targeting of staff associated with aid organizations and the United Nations. Apart from the attack on the offices of NGOs and International Organizations in Baucau, a UN vehicle was ambushed en route to Dili, resulting in one injury. Over 40 UN vehicles have been damaged by stones during the last two days.

Humanitarian Consequences

6. Humanitarian access to displaced persons is hampered by the current security situation. In Dili, water trucking services have been limited to camps that do not have any alternative water source. The water trucking to IDP camps in Baucau has been discontinued temporarily due to the security situation and is expected to be resumed with security escorts tomorrow.

7. According to unconfirmed reports movements within and out of Baucau are taking place. It has been observed that some inhabitants of Baucau have packed their belongings and are moving towards the East.

8. Aid organizations are monitoring the situation of humanitarian needs and indications of further displacement.

9. OCHA is in close contact with the Humanitarian Country Team and UNMIT in Dili and will revert with further information as it becomes available. This situation report, together with further information on ongoing emergencies, is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at http://www.reliefweb.int.

ENDS

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