Austcare: Timor-Leste Crisis Appeal

Timor-Leste Crisis Appeal

The current situation

Tension and unease continues in East Timor with some fresh outbreaks of violence following the announcement of the new Timor-Leste National Government on 6 August 2007.

At this time where the people and Government of Timor-Leste are engaged in building democracy in the world's newest nation, such tension was expected, and we urge Australians to respond..

While the security situation remained relatively calm in Dilli over the first week, it was more volatile in the East.

The UN Police confirmed on 10 August that 142 houses had been torched in Viqueque and Baucau districts since disturbances began. Other reports suggested up to 600 homes destroyed. On 10 August in Viqueque there were numerous cases of arson, fighting, stone throwing, and illegal road blocks, particularly in Watolari. In Baucau, there were also several cases of arson and stone throwing.

The situation has caused people in Viqueque and Baucau to flee for safety, some even leaving internally displaced persons (IDP) camps. People are on the move. Many have fled to the mountains, others to Dili, some under UN escort.

Government buildings or organisations deemed to be in close association with the new government have been targeted; schools, churches and Government buildings have been attacked and destroyed. The lack of secure options for displaced women, children and men is pressing.

Displacement places immense strain not only on the displaced. With an average daily national income below $0.50, poverty in Timor-Leste is endemic. Local district authorities are short on resources and infrastructure, an issue already recognised by the new Timor-Leste National Government, and will struggle to provide for populations displaced to their areas with no access to essentials or income.

The leaders of all 16 political parties in Timor-Leste strongly condemned the acts of violence and called for solidarity at a meeting held at the United Nation's headquarters in Dili 10 August.

The United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) and Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Timor-Leste, Atul Khare, confirmed the same day that the United Nations will support government efforts to ensure that the security situation improves and that humanitarian assistance is provided to mitigate the effects of the violence in the eastern districts.

Despite the deployment of UN Police (UNPol), the national police of Timor-Leste (PNTL) and the UN International Stabilisation Force (ISF) in Baucau and surrounding districts, displaced populations are still in fear and wary of returning to their homes under perceived continuing threats of violence.

Key needs

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) called on agencies like Austcare on the ground in Timor-Leste for an immediate assessment of needs and supplies of food and other critical items in the areas to which IDPs have fled. There is dire need to ensure the protection of vulnerable IDPs in the East. There are major gaps in mobile protection capacity in these districts, with IDPs vulnerable to further harassment and attacks, and in need of basic humanitarian assistance including food, water and shelter.

Austcare's response

Austcare immediately dedicated general Australian public funds to mobilise a specialist field consultant in Baucau on 10 August for a rapid assessment of the most affected areas, including Baucau, Lautern and Viqueque. She visited Viqueque alongside the UN on 10 August to assess the humanitarian situation and inform our response.

In addition to the regular protection for IDPs in the East, there is an urgent need to coordinate effective humanitarian response for displaced persons. Austcare aims to also mobilise a team of three civilian protection officers with two motor vehicles and drivers to the East.

These protection officers will make contact with IDP groups and act to achieve safe and secure solutions to their displacement. Pressing needs for food and critical non-food items will be assessed by Austcare’s mobilised field consultant and we will coordinate response to these needs.

Austcare protection officers would undertake Site Liaison Support activities, such as those we have provided for displaced persons in Dili camps since unrest in 2006. Austcare will continue to coordinate local responses through the Austcare Dili office with OCHA and other humanitarian agencies, as well as the Timor-Leste government and UNMIT.

Austcare has been supporting Timor-Leste since 1981

Your donation can help us protect the basic human rights and security of the most vulnerable, and help the people of Timor-Leste in their efforts to build democracy. Please act now.

ENDS

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