Political and civil unrest yields another humanitarian crisis

Source: CARE
Date: 16 Jan 2007

CARE has been working in Timor Leste (East Timor) since 1994 and is currently the largest international non-governmental organisation in the country, with over 180 staff and a cumulative reach to date through its aid programmes to over 50 per cent of the country's population.

The political and civil unrest in Timor Leste since April 2006 has led to the displacement of more than 15 per cent of the population of the country's capital, Dili. Confrontation between the army, police forces and civilians, combined with gang violence, has led to displacement for some, whose houses and cars have been torched, while others have been injured. Many more fear for their safety and security and thus have fled their homes, seeking refuge in various locations such as schools, churches, and community centres. The result has been spontaneous rise of camps for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). In Dili alone, these camps house up to 67,916 people with a further 78,431 people having fled to the districts (June estimates).

In response to the current humanitarian situation that has emerged from the violence in April and May, CARE is ensuring that minimum basic living standards and safety for the internally displaced populations are achieved during their asylum in various camps where people have fled. This is achieved through the provision of basic relief supplies and logistical assistance working in close coordination with the national government and other aid agencies. CARE, with its extensive fleet of trucks and relief distribution teams, has assisted over 140,000 displaced people since April 2006 and is working directly in 15 camps in and around Dili providing basic survival items including food, water, sanitation, shelter, health and security as well as supporting overall management.

The Government of Timor Leste initially anticipated that the migrated populations would return home by the end of August, 2006. However, the security situation remains unstable.

Gang violence continues, and there are regular incidents of rock throwing, looting and burning of houses, and threats against the individuals. As a result, a significant number of people living in camps feel unsafe to return to their homes. It is expected that camp-dwellers will remain for another four to nine months, creating large demands for continued services such as food, water, sanitation, educations, camp management, and children and women's protection. CARE has been working in Timor Leste since 1994. Expecting the populations to remain in camps for months to come, CARE is seeking additional funds to continue its operations in the months ahead. With the assistance of people like you, CARE will be able to maintain and even increase the amount of assistance it is providing to people suffering from civil strife in this young country, plagued with instability, violence, and danger.

PROJECT PROFILES - October 2006

Lafaek, the Children's Magazine: Children's Rights Promotion and Curriculum

Lafaek is the only children's magazine produced in the country's local language, Tetum. CARE's Lafaek team of 34 staff produces and distributes 260,000 copies reaching every child in primary school in East Timor and 7,500 copies to teachers five times a year.

Haburas Labarik Children's Rights Project

CARE, working in partnership with the Alola Foundation aims to work on the increase of knowledge about, and protection of, children's rights in Timor Leste. The project also provides greater access and exposure to information on children's rights and the need for the protection of these rights to students.

Integrated Nutrition and Health Education and Intervention Project (INHEP)

This recently completed project worked to reduce the rates of malnutrition in children under five and improve the nutrition status of pregnant and lactating women in Liquica, Bobonaro, and Covalima districts.

Strengthening the NGO Sector in East Timor

CARE is working in partnership with ACDI/VOCA and the Columbia University Centre for International Conflict Resolution to share expertise in community development and organisations management by training local various NGOs and community organisations in a variety of areas necessary for success in running effective, community-driven organisations.

Community-led Innovation in Drought Preparedness and Mitigation

The project aims to help communities prepare for drought-induced food insecurity through the establishment of improved grain storage facilities in villages in Liquica district and to build capacity at the local level for communities to overcome their vulnerabilities to disaster and in particular to drought.

Mitigation of Malaria for the Most Affected Groups in Timor Island (MIAT)

The project is a joint and integrated response to decrease high levels of Annual Malaria Incidence in both Eastern and Western Timor. The project specifically targets vulnerable groups through a rights based approach with emphasis on pregnant women and under 5 year children and seeks to increase the efforts of both the East Timorese and Indonesian Government to halt and control malaria by 2015.

Emergency Response to Internally Displaced People in Dili and the surrounding areas

This project ensures that basic relief is provided to meet needs of internally displaced people who have fled their homes following the violence in April 2006. In Dili CARE is directly supporting activities in 15 camps with approximately 35 000 internally displaced people.

Emergency Food Distribution for Internally Displaced People and Vulnerable Communities in the Western Region

CARE distributes food for people who have fled to the rural areas in Liquica, Bobonaro and Covalima as a result of the conflict in April/May 2006 and other communities who experience chronic food shortage and high malnutrition rates. Supplementary food is provided for children under the age of five as well as pregnant and lactating mothers.
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