UN-OCHA, 09 June 2006
OCHA Situation Report No. 6. Timor-Leste - Population
Displacement
Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Ref: OCHA/GVA - 2006/0104
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
Situation
1. In Dili, looting and arson have significantly decreased in the past days with an
increase in patrolling of International Security Forces. Increasing security in Dili has
allowed almost complete freedom of movement for humanitarian agencies within the
city. Access by humanitarian actors to the districts outside of Dili has also increased
substantially.
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. In spite of the unrest, WHO assesses that the overall health system in Timor-Leste
is performing well with most hospitals and health facilities fully functional. The major
health concern is acute respiratory infection. Lack of shelter and the relatively low
overnight temperatures have led to an increase in such infections in 55% of the
population of IDP camps.
6. 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
7. 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
8. The Timorese Government is undertaking daily distribution of rice and water to
IDPs.
9. 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
10. On 7 June, a total of 76.8 MT of food were distributed to IDP camps in Dili from
Government and WFP stocks. Transport was provided by Plan International, CARE
International, World Vision International and IOM. IOM also delivered 4 MT of food to
Liquica district at the request of the Government. The district of Dibar was also
reached with food distribution.
11. 143,000 litres of water were provided to IDP camps in Dili on 7 June, up from
113,000 litres delivered on 5 June. UNICEF also took delivery of family water kits for
2,500 families. OXFAM undertook the distribution of jerry cans (1,154) and CRS
distributed hygiene kits (1,220) and mosquito nets (3,112) to IDP locations in Dili.
12. 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. A mass measles vaccination for children from 6
months to 14 years of age and provision of Vitamin A supplementation for children
from 6-9 months will commence on 12 June. UNICEF is working with the Ministry of
Health on this campaign and has already assigned 2 people in each camp who will
carry out the vaccinations. IDPs will be targeted in the first week of the campaign,
with residents of areas surrounding the camps targeted in the second week.
13. 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.
14. The Communication Working Group has set up notice boards 57 locations in 53
camps in Dili. 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 daily newspaper, Suara Timor Loro'sae, has restarted circulation and UNICEF
is discussing greater coverage of women's and children's issues with the paper's
editor-in-chief.
15. Tents, plastic sheeting, and non-food items for up to 30,000 people provided by
UNHCR began 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.
16. 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.
17. 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.
18. 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.
19. New Zealand has also announced that it will provide 1.5 million New Zealand
dollars in support of humanitarian assistance to Timor-Leste.
20. 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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