UN-OCHA, 08 June 2006
OCHA Situation Report No. 5. Timor-Leste - Population
Displacement
Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Ref: OCHA/GVA - 2006/0101
This report is based on information received from the United Nations Office in
Timor-Leste (UNOTIL), UN Agencies and OCHA staff in Dili and media sources.
Situation
1. While the number of violent incidents in Dili is decreasing day by day, looting,
arson and general insecurity attributed to gangs of youth continues. On 6 May, 2,000
people came to Dili from the western districts of Timor-Leste calling for the resignation
of Prime Minister Alkatiri. Foreign peacekeepers closely monitored the protest.
2. 1,900 Australian forces ground troops have been deployed in Dili since 25 May as
well as 106 Australian Federal Police. More than 330 Malaysian troops, 160 New
Zealand forces and 120 Portuguese police are in place. The deployment of additional
police is being considered by Malaysia and New Zealand.
3. According to data drawn from inter-agency assessments conducted between 29
May and 1 June, and compiled by IOM, 71,300 IDPs are living at 65 locations in Dili.
The five largest IDP locations in Dili are Cannossiana Sisters (Balide) with 13,060;
Dom Bosco (Comoro) with 13,000; Has Laran Canossa School with 6,000; Obrigado
Barraks (UN Compound) with 4,500; and Fatumeta Seminario Maior with 4,064.
4. UNOTIL estimates an additional 60 to 70 camps housing between 35,000 and
40,000 people are scattered throughout the country, in particular in the districts of
Liquiça, Ermera, Aileu, Oecussi, Baucau, as well as in the sub-district of Atauro.
5. While the delivery of humanitarian assistance has been increasing over the last few
days ensuring security around and within IDP locations is of concern to humanitarian
agencies.
6. There are increasing reports of diarrhoea in the IDP camps in Dili and two cases of
malaria have been detected. One birth has taken place within the IDP camps and 9
women have been transferred to Dili Hospital in time for their deliveries.
7. There is concern for children in detention. While the number of children who may
have been detained as a result of the unrest is not known, it is acknowledged that
many of those involved in the recent violence and looting have been minors.
8. The Humanitarian Action Group, including UN agencies and national and
international NGOs, continues to meet daily under the chairmanship of the Ministry of
Labor, Social Welfare and Reintegration.
Assistance required
9. Priority areas determined by the Humanitarian Action Group as a result of ongoing
assessments are: protection, food, water and sanitation, health and shelter. UN
agencies are compiling a Flash Appeal which is expected to be launched early in the
week of 12 June.
National response
10. The Timorese Government is undertaking daily distribution of rice and water to
IDPs.
11. To ameliorate living conditions, the Government, with the support of UNHCR and
others, is planning to establish planned camps where IDPS can live in better condition
and receive more timely assistance, until they are able to return home when security
improves.
International response
12. Mr. Fin Reske-Nielsen, appointed as the new UN Resident Coordinator and
Humanitarian Coordinator for Timor-Leste, arrived in Dili today (6 June). Two additional
OCHA staff, including an information management officer, will arrive in Dili tomorrow (8
June) to support existing humanitarian coordination mechanisms. There are currently
two OCHA staff members in Dili supporting Civil Military coordination activities and
facilitating the drafting of the Flash Appeal.
13. WFP is providing comprehensive food packages to vulnerable families and IDPs
drawing on a donation from the Chinese Government of 2,000 MT of rice.
14. The first shipment food (50 MT) and nutrition supplements for 1,500 IDPs and
9,000 residents of Atauro Island arrived on 5 June. This is the first shipment to Atauro
since the violence earlier this month. The shipment also included vital non-food items
such as jerry cans and included 3 tonnes of rice, oil, and sugar for the World Food
Programme's school feeding programme. The shipment was the result of the joint
efforts of IOM, UNICEF, WFP, Plan International, the NGO BELUN and Timorese
Government Ministries.
15. Water deliveries to IDP locations are increasing daily with 74,000 litres delivered
on 4 June and 113,000 litres delivered on 5 June. UNICEF has delivered 4,800 jerry
cans to 8 camps and completed construction of 10 latrines in Fatumeta Seminary and
an additional 10 latrines in Don Bosco. Construction of 20 latrines has commenced in
the area of the airport.
16. An inter-agency Health Promotion Group, led by UNICEF, has begun hygiene
education work in the IDP camps. UNFPA, UNICEF and WFP plan to implement
antenatal services to all camps beginning on 6 June. Screening of young children for
malnutrition will also be undertaken. CRS has distributed mosquito nets, and hygiene
items to multiple locations.
17. The Working Group on Child Protection is continuing to support the establishment
of child protection focal points in all the major camps. Amongst others, focal points
will be given a simple record sheet to identify unaccompanied or separated children.
The Working Group which includes ICRC, PLAN International and UNICEF will be able
to conduct further registration and attempts to trace children and their families based
on this initial information collected. Plans for psycho-social support and safe space for
children in camps are underway.
18. The Communication Working Group has set up notice boards in 25 of the 41
camps visited. Work is ongoing to identify communication volunteers in these camps.
UNICEF will continue supporting the group through providing logistics and vehicle
support, combined assessments and training for communication volunteers. The
national print media agencies have been contacted and assistance offered assistance
in restarting their operations.
19. Tents, plastic sheeting, and non-food items for up to 30,000 people provided by
UNHCR will begin to arrive in Dili on 8 June. By the end of the week supplies for 5,000
people are expected to have arrived with the remaining shipments following early next
week.
20. ICRC has deployed 9 additional staff to support the work of the local Red Cross
society. The ICRC and the Timor-Leste Red Cross are facilitating water distribution at
the Comoro pumping station. Over 200,000 litres of water are being provided daily to
various humanitarian organizations. The ICRC is also distributing food, mosquito nets
and tarpaulins to displaced families.
21. Under an existing agreement with the Timor-Leste authorities, ICRC delegates
have begun visiting detainees and Becora prison in Dili. Notices of the Red Cross
tracing services have also been posted in the IDP camps in Dili and the Red Cross
has responded to 40 requests concerning missing relatives.
22. The Australian Government, through AusAid, has provided an additional 1 million
Australian dollars to WFP for urgent food distribution. This funding is in addition to the
3 million Australian dollars that was already provided for assistance to IDPs in
Timor-Leste.
23. New Zealand has also announced that it will provide 1.5 million New Zealand
dollars in support of humanitarian assistance to Timor-Leste.
24. OCHA is in close contact with the Office of the SRSG UNOTIL and UN Country
Team 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.
Tel.: +41-22-917 12 34
Fax: +41-22-917 0023
E-mail: ochagva@un.org
In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10
Desk Officer:
Ms. Megan Gilgan (in GVA) direct Tel. +41-22-917 1558
Mr. Wojtek Wilk (in NY) direct Tel. +1-917-367-9748
Press contact:
(in GVA) Ms. Elizabeth. Byrs direct Tel. +41-22-917 2653
(in N.Y.) Ms. Stephanie Bunker direct Tel. + 1-917 367 5126
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