OCHA Situation Report No. 3
Timor-Leste: Civil Unrest
11 August 2007


Summary Analysis

- In Viqueque the situation is worrying and accurate information 
difficult to obtain. According to press reports (ABC-news) citing NGO 
sources, 600 to 700 houses have been burnt in Viqueque. However a UNMIT 
press release of last night sets the official figure of burnt houses at 
142 for Viqueque and Baucau combined.

- Unconfirmed reports indicate that people displaced because of 
insecurity and house burnings are moving for shelter in the mountains.

- In Baucau, the violent protests seem to have subsided. All government 
buildings and schools remain closed.

- In Dili, fewer security incidents have been reported in the last 24 
hours, but the overall situation remains volatile.

- A preliminary assessment mission is under way to Viqueque.

SITUATION

1. The civil unrest occurring in connection with the announcement of the 
new government on the 6th of August 2007 following the 30th of June 
parliamentary has subsided in Baucau and Dili, but unconfirmed 
information reports continued violence in Viqueque.

2. In Viqueque the situation is worrying and accurate information 
difficult to obtain. Violence is centered in the Watulari sub-district 
According to press reports (ABC-news) citing NGO sources, 600 to 700 
houses have been burnt. However an UNMIT press release last night sets 
the official figure of burnt houses at 142 in Viqueque and Baucau 
combined. Many people are being displaced by the security situation and 
house burnings are reported to be moving for shelter in the mountains, 
while some IDPs are approaching the ISF base in Viqueque for protection. 
According to church sources 17 families, a total of 93 persons have 
taken shelter in primary school in Baucau. Another group of displaced 
people (18 families, about 100 people) have found shelter in the 
vicinity of the F-FDTL compound in Viqueque..

3.  On Friday, the situation remained relatively calm in Baucau. However 
all government buildings and schools were closed. One ambush on a convoy 
of three cars en route to Viqueque caused concern, but details about 
this incident have yet to be confirmed.

5 In Dili, the situation remained relative calm Friday.

6. A statement made by the head of the army in Timor-Leste underscoring 
that nobody would tolerate the recent violence, combined with a joint 
statement form all political parties in Timor-Leste condemning the 
violence, has calmed down the situation.

7. In a statement UNICEF 10 August in a response to the ongoing unrest 
in certain parts of Timor-Leste voiced strong condemnation to the 
destruction and vandalism of schools, learning spaces, and play areas in 
the recent days. "UNICEF is absolutely concerned that children are once 
again the ones who suffer,' said Shui-Meng Ng, UNICEF Representative in 
Timor-Leste. 'We urge the adults to consider the future of all their 
children before they continue their destruction of public properties and 
create further unrest. Without a safe environment, and without proper 
classrooms or learning spaces, all your children will be adversely 
impacted.'

HUMANITARIAN CONSEQUENCES

8. 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.

7. Aid organizations are monitoring the situation of humanitarian needs 
and indications of further displacement. A preliminary assessment 
mission is under way to Viqueque.

8. OCHA is in close contact with the national and international 
humanitarian aid organizations, the UN 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 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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