OCHA Situation Report No. 1
Timor-Leste Civil Unrest
8 August 2007


Summary Analysis

- Civil unrest is occurring in Baucau, Dili, Lautem, and Viqueque in 
connection with the announcement of the new government on the 6th of 
August 2007 following the 30th of June parliamentary elections.

- In Dili, fewer security incidents have been reported in the last 24 
hours, but the overall situation remains volatile. In Baucau and 
Viqueque, the situation has deteriorated with several reported cases of 
arson, stone throwing, tyre-burning and illegal road blocks.

- Access to IDP camps in Dili and Baucau is hampered resulting in 
limited water trucking. Security escorts are being mobilized. 
Unconfirmed reports of population movements within and out of Baucau.

BACKGROUND

1. Civil unrest is occurring in connection with the announcement of the 
new government on the 6th of August 2007 following the 30th of June 
parliamentary elections. Some of the political protests have turned 
violent in Baucau, Dili, Lautem, and Viqueque districts.

2. In Baucau, arson has been reported on the CRS and Caritas offices, 
Catholic kindergarten, Ministries of Labour and Agriculture warehouses, 
WFP warehouse, offices of national and international institutions, and 
private homes.  There has been reinforcement of ISF in Baucau.

3. In Viqueque, approximately 100 houses have been burned and there have 
been several cases stone throwing, tyre-burning and illegal road blocks. 
Families have been relocated to the church in Quelicai.

4. In Dili, most of the disturbances reported involved rock-throwing, 
tyre-burning, illegal road-blocks, arson, and acts of intimidation. The 
Customs Office near the Seaport in Dili was torched.

5. Of particular concern is the targeting of staff associated with aid 
organizations and the United Nations. Apart from the attack on the 
offices of NGOs and International Organizations in Baucau, a UN vehicle 
was ambushed en route to Dili, resulting in one injury. Over 40 UN 
vehicles have been damaged by stones during the last two days.

HUMANITARIAN CONSEQUENCES

6. Humanitarian access to displaced persons is hampered by the current 
security situation. In Dili, water trucking services have been limited 
to camps that do not have any alternative water source. The water 
trucking to IDP camps in Baucau has been discontinued temporarily due to 
the security situation and is expected to be resumed with security 
escorts tomorrow.

7. According to unconfirmed reports movements within and out of Baucau 
are taking place. It has been observed that some inhabitants of Baucau 
have packed their belongings and are moving towards the East.

8. Aid organizations are monitoring the situation of humanitarian needs 
and indications of further displacement.

9. OCHA is in close contact with the Humanitarian Country Team and UNMIT 
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.

For detailed information please contact:

OCHA Timor-Leste
Philippe Schneider
Mobile: +670 7311786
e-mail: philippe schneider/srsg/unmit@unmit

Florentina Debling
Mobile : +670 7321473
e-mail: humanitarian.ocha@undp.org

Desk Officers:
(NYC) Ms. Kirsten Gelsdorf
Tel. +1-917 367 2174
e-mail: gelsdorf@un.org

(GVA) Mr. Jean Verheyden
Tel: +41 22 917 1381

Press contact:
(NYC) Ms. Stephanie Bunker
Tel. +1-917 367 5126

(GVA) Ms. Elizabeth Byrs
Tel. +41-22-917 2653

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