OCHA Situation Report No. 2
Timor-Leste
19 March 2007


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Highlights

- Locust infestation in Bobonaro and Ermera has damaged 4,559 ha of 
mainly maize crops.

- Rice shortage throughout the country continues.

- Humanitarian access re-established.

- Food shortages may occur due to delayed rainy season.

- Need to improve conditions in existing IDP camps.

- Risk of flooding in IDP camps and of landslides due to rains.

Overview

The reporting period was marked by a significant increase in security 
incidents compared to the previous weeks, which led to restricted 
movement of humanitarian personnel. On 23 February an incident occurred 
at the airport camp between Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and the 
International Stabilisation Force (ISF), which resulted in two deaths 
and one injured. There was a shortage of rice in the market throughout 
Timor-Leste, to which the Government responded with sales of rice to the 
population at 0.40 US$ per kg. The continued shortage is an issue of 
concern in view of the upcoming presidential elections scheduled for 9 
April and the lean season. During the height of the rice crisis, 
Government vehicles were targeted by individuals throwing stones, 
resulting in more than 100 damaged official vehicles.

During the night of 3 / 4 March 2007, four of the armed supporters of 
fugitive Alfredo Reinaldo were killed in Same after a one week 
stand-off. Reinaldo's supporters had ransacked border police posts and 
seized 17 rifles and ammunition. When the news about the operations in 
Same reached Dili, Reinaldo supporters blocked roads with burning tires 
and large objects, and protested violently. Two Government buildings in 
Dili and Gleno were burnt, stone throwing and looting of warehouses and 
the Ministry of Education occurred. Since the middle of last week the 
security situation has calmed considerably. The appeal by the President 
of the Republic for peace and calm, and the sentence in the Lobato trial 
may have contributed to this positive development.

In connection with the rainy season, which has now started, there is a 
potential for flooding and landslides. On 7 March 2007, a landslide 
blocked a road in Ermera province. Conditions in the camps will need to 
be monitored closely to prevent health and safety risks associated with 
flooding. Other potential hazards for Timor-Leste include Avian 
Influenza, earthquakes, and tsunamis.

Contingency planning for new emergencies

The security situation remains volatile and it is likely that spikes of 
violence will continue to occur with a potential to increase before the 
elections. The unresolved situation of fugitive Alfredo Reinaldo as well 
as continued rice shortage could cause protection and security concerns. 
The fault lines and motivations for violent demonstrations or fights 
seem to be changing. While as of November the East-West divide that had 
caused mass displacement last year seemed to loose importance and 
martial arts gang fights dominated, the recent violence seems to have 
united members of rivalling martial arts groups. A national contingency 
plan for potential new displacements due to civil unrest is being 
established under the leadership of the National Disaster Management 
Office (NDMO) and the Ministry of Labour and Community Reinsertion 
(MTRC).

It is assumed that around 100,000 persons remain displaced, out of which 
around 70% stay mostly with host families in the districts, and around 
30% in IDP camps in Dili. The high mobility of the displaced populations 
complicates the establishment of exact baseline data. Around 5,000 
persons have been newly displaced during January due to violence and 
arson mainly in Bairo Pite, Dili.

Humanitarian Access

With the deterioration of the security situation, humanitarian access 
for NGO and UN operations had been significantly reduced, which raised 
serious concerns. The provision of essential services to IDP camps as 
well as movement to districts and rice deliveries to address the rice 
shortages in the markets had been limited. Due to the improvement in the 
security situation, operations resumed during the course of the week. 
The potential for further violence raises concerns regarding 
humanitarian access, security and protection for both IDPs and 
humanitarian staff.

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