for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)- 10 Jun 2006

Timor-Leste: Population Displacement OCHA Situation Report No. 7
Ref: OCHA/GVA - 2006/0106

OCHA Situation Report No. 7 Timor-Leste - Population Displacement

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. The overall security situation in Timor-Leste and Dili appears to be improving slowly. UNOTIL reports that law and order incidents in the Dili suburbs have reduced considerably.

2. International Armed Forces are maintaining a robust response to incidents in the capital. Check points have been established by the Joint Task Force (JTF) and Australian Police at various points throughout the city and the JTF conducts foot patrols on main streets.

3. Although electricity and water services are usually available, rubbish collection and water mains repairs remain unattended. Shops are beginning to open 'cautiously'. Traffic signs and laws are largely ignored.

4. Rumours continue to circulate in Dili of large numbers of people moving from the Baucau area and the Eastern Regions to demonstrate in Dili.

5. The number of international police in Timor-Leste is expected to increase to some 500 officers in approximately three weeks time. Another contingent of Australian Federal Police officers will bring their total number to 200. 250 Malaysian police officers and a small New Zealand police contingent are due to arrive next week.

6. 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.

7. At least 60 further IDP camps are scattered throughout the country, particularly in the districts of Liquiça, Ermera, Aileu, Oecussi, Baucau, as well as in the sub-district of Atauro. Up-to-date figures are not currently available and OCHA is planning to coordinate an inter-agency assessment to the regions.

8. WHO is working with the Ministry of Health to improve the monitoring of health care services for IDPs. The Ministry will now receive weekly reports from all health care providers. Preliminary data gathered between 2 and 6 June by Cuban doctors working at a number of camps shows a high rate of upper respiratory infections (62%), as well as skin infections (12%) and acute diarrhoea (7%).

9. The Humanitarian Action Group, including UN agencies and national and international NGOs, continues to meet every other day under the chairmanship of the Ministry of Labour, Social Welfare and Reintegration.

ASSISTANCE REQUIRED

10. Priority areas determined by the Humanitarian Action Group as a result of ongoing assessments are: protection, food, water and sanitation, shelter and health. UN agencies have compiled a Flash Appeal, which has now been forwarded to Headquarters for final comments. The Appeal is expected to be launched by the ERC on 12 June
in New York.

RESPONSE

11. 109 MT of food (59 MT of rice, 40 MT of emergency food rations, 8 MT of oil and 2 MT of sugar) was distributed to IDP camps in Dili by the Ministry of Labour, Social Welfare and Reintegration and WFP on 8 June. Transport was provided by Plan International, CARE, WVI and IOM.

12. Oxfam delivered 151,000 litres of water to 19 IDP camps in Dili on 8 June. The NGO also delivered jerry cans (provided by AusAID), soap (provided by the Ministry of Labour, Social Welfare and Reintegration) and mosquito nets (provided by CRS/TAIS) to 806 families at Motael church.

13. UNICEF will begin measles vaccination, vitamin A supplementation and nutritional assessments in IDP camps on 12 June. The campaign will be conducted in conjunction with the Ministry of Health, international and national agencies.

14. UNICEF arranged garbage collection at seven camps and septic tank cleaning at two camps in Dili on 8 June. UNICEF and Concern provided 680 families with Water and Environmental Sanitation (WES) kits on the same day.

15. UNICEF is planning to begin classes at one of Diliâ's largest camps, Don Bosco in Comoro, home to more than 13,000 IDPs. Supplies including exercise books, pencils, pens and erasers have already been provided. UNICEF is also preparing a rapid educational assessment to survey schooling requirements in IDP camps.

16. The Working Group on Child Protection has started conducting orientation sessions for Child Protection focal points in 12 major IDP camps. Focal points are being trained 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. Plans for psycho-social support and safe space for children in camps are underway.

17. UNFPA is working with Health Alliance International, the East Timor Medical Association, the Ministry of Health and Dili District Health Services to establish maternity
services at IDP camps in Dili. A team of medical practitioners has been visiting camps since 6 June providing antenatal and postnatal care. UNFPA is now working with the Ministry of Health to establish 'maternity camps' in the national hospital to cater for urgent IDP maternity needs.

18. The Communication Working Group has set up 64 notice boards in 57 camps in Dili. Materials distributed to the camps include information about health and sanitation, human rights and child protection.

19. UNHCR convened the first meeting of the Protection Working Group to discuss their concerns with the humanitarian community. A number of key issues were raised, including security at IDP camps. The Protection Working Group will meet again on 12 June.

20. A meeting chaired by the Ministry of Labour subsequently took place to discuss security at IDP camps on 9 June. Participants included UNHCR, IOM, OCHA, the Australian-led Joint Task Force (JTF) and the Australian Federal Police Force (AFP).

21. 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.