OCHA Situation Report No. 5
Timor-Leste: Population Displacement
8 June 2006


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


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