OCHA Situation Report No. 1
Timor-Leste: Population Displacement
30 May 2006


This report is based on information received from the United Nations 
Office in Timor-Leste (UNOTIL), and the OCHA Regional Office in Bangkok.

SITUATION

1. The security situation in Dili has deteriorated rapidly since 24 May 
when intensive fighting erupted between two factions of the East 
Timorese Army and then between the army and the police. The unrest began 
in March, when 595 of the army's original force of 1,400 went on strike 
claiming poor service conditions and ethnic discrimination by 
eastern-born commanders. At least five people were killed and dozens 
injured on April 27-28 when a protest rally in Dili in support of the 
rebels turned violent. Tens of thousands fled Dili fearing further 
unrest.

2. Australia has deployed approximately 1,800 troops in Dili (300 more 
then originally foreseen) and Malaysia approximately 200-250 troops. 
Malaysia will deploy an additional 250 troops and Portugal is likely to 
begin deployments this week.

3. While level of violence has slightly decreased since the deployment 
of Australian-led military force (25-26 May), youth gangs are reportedly 
pillaging and arsoning in several districts in Dili. It appears that 
these groups are Timorese from the west of the island (coming from the 
hills outside of Dili) that are seeking reprisal and targeting 
individuals originating from the east of the island. The situation 
remains calm in areas outside Dili, as reported by the UN border 
monitors.

4. UNOTIL estimates the number of IDPs in Timor-Leste at approximately 
60,000 people. This number includes some 35,000 - 40,000 persons already 
displaced over the last several weeks and at least 25,000 displaced 
within or from Dili since 24 May (Population of Dili is 150,000). The 
number of displaced may be higher as displacement continues in Dili the 
movements of humanitarian agencies are constrained by the security 
situation.

5. While there are more than 100 identified IDP locations countrywide, 
according to reports from IOM, there is information available on at 
least three large IDP concentrations in Dili:

- 2 or 3 IDP camps managed by World Vision (Australia), with the two 
largest accommodating 13,000 and 10,000 IDPs;

- 4,000 IDPs accommodated in the UNOTIL compound and immediate vicinity.

6. Unconfirmed reports of attacks on IDPs at the locations where they 
are sheltering are being received from IOM, UNOTIL and the media.

7. UN Agencies and NGOs are to conduct an initial assessment of IDP 
camps in and around Dili today (29 May), security permitting. Such 
assessment has not been possible to-date due to the security situation 
and movement constraints.

8. Assistance to the IDPs is being coordinated by the Ministry of Labor, 
Social Welfare and Reintegration through the Humanitarian Action Group 
which will meet today (29 May) to agree on a list of priority sectors, 
and both financial and resource requirements that might be needed to 
address the situation.

9. Insecurity still impacts humanitarian operations, with only essential 
movement permitted in Dili and most of the humanitarian staff confined 
to their offices or residences. UNOTIL confirmed that a government food 
warehouse in Dili was looted on 28 May but Australian forces intervened 
promptly. According to World Vision, some NGO Offices have been targeted 
in the recent violence for supplies or other, unknown, reasons

10. Relocation of non-essential staff and family members of all UN staff 
continues. 58 UNOTIL staff (out of 149) and 76 Agency personnel (out of 
162) have been evacuated to Darwin by 28 May 2006, together with 71 
family members (both UNOTIL and UN Agency staff). Additional staff is 
expected to be evacuated over the next days. UNOTIL has established 
temporary offices in Darwin.

ASSISTANCE REQUIRED

11. From initial indications the food and water needs of the IDPs are 
relatively well covered, with food available at the WFP and Government 
warehouses. Sanitation and shelter are two key requirements. Heavy 
rains, expected in the Dili area, raise fears of possible malaria and 
dengue fever outbreaks.

INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE

12. OCHA has been in contact with the Office of the SRSG UNOTIL and 
offered assistance in public information, civil military liaison and 
humanitarian assessment and coordination support.  OCHA is currently 
awaiting the outcome of the Inter-agency assessment and Humanitarian 
Action Group meeting at which requirements will be discussed.

13. OCHA is in close contact with the Office of the SRSG UNOTIL in Dili, 
and the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok 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.

Map: Timor-Leste: Population displacement - Situation map

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:
  GVA - Ms. Elizabeth. Byrs direct Tel. +41-22-917 2653
  NYC - Ms. Stephanie Bunker direct Tel. + 1-917 367 5126

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