OCHA Situation Report No. 6
Timor-Leste Civil Unrest
29 August 2007


Summary Analysis

- 5,125 persons have been reported affected in Viqueque district.

- 2,712 persons have been reported affected in Baucau district.

- In Metinaro, outside of Dili, at least 15 houses were burnt since 23 
August 2007 in a conflict.

- Humanitarian assistance has been received by most of the affected 
population and additional needs are being addressed with the fourth 
delivery of assistance to the affected areas at the moment.

SITUATION

1. Civil unrest occurred in the week following the announcement of the 
new government on the 6th of August 2007. Viqueque and Baucau districts 
were most affected, with 270 private houses burnt and 52 damaged by 
violent groups especially in Watulari sub-district of Viqueque, and 53 
houses burnt in Baucau district. The functioning of public services and 
schools had been disrupted. Public services and schools have reopened in 
Baucau district, while schools in Viqueque district remain closed.

2. The overall security situation in Timor-Leste is calm, while the 
situation remains tense in Viqueque district. United Nations Police 
Officers (UNPol) in conjunction with the national police of Timor-Leste 
(PNTL) and the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) remain fully 
deployed in the area.

3. In Metinaro, outside of Dili, at least 15 houses were burnt since 23 
August 2007 in a conflict. Parts of the village population seek refuge 
in the surrounding mountains and at the police station at night time.

HUMANITARIAN CONSEQUENCES

4. According to information from assessments so far, 5,125 persons in 
Viqueque district are affected and 2,712 persons in Baucau district. 
While parts of the affected population had their houses burnt, 
destroyed, damaged or looted, others left their homes due to security 
concerns. Affected populations stay with host families and gather at 
police stations, convents, and other compounds in the affected areas. A 
part of the affected is still holding out in the mountains, but seems to 
be closer to the villages now and therefore more accessible.

HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE

5. Based on the findings of the assessments, the Government of 
Timor-Leste on 24 August sent a convoy of 30 trucks with food and 
non-food items from the Government of Timor-Leste and other non-food 
items provided by CARE, CRS, UNICEF, IOM to assist according to needs 
unmet so far. Distribution and assessment teams from the Government of 
Timor-Leste were deployed with the convoy. On return of the convoy 
towards the end of the week the Government will report on the 
distribution and the assessment findings.

6. In order to assess the needs of the affected populations that were 
difficult to reach due to the limited access to some areas, a 
multi-sector assessment mission consisting of civil servants of the 
Government of Timor-Leste, international NGOs and UN agencies went to 
the most affected areas in Watulari and Uatucarbau sub-districts by 
United Nations helicopters on 23 August 2007. Most of the affected 
populations had received some assistance already. The need for 
additional assistance was noted, and the findings as well as lists of 
the affected populations were shared with the distribution and 
assessment teams that were deployed by the Government of Timor-Leste to 
the affected areas on 24 August.

7. On 12 August, 4.7mt tons of rice from the Government of Timor-Leste 
had been delivered by United Nations helicopters to Watulari and 
Uatucarbau along with kitchen sets and noodles.

8. On 13 August, the Government of Timor-Leste had sent a convoy of 15 
trucks carrying Government food and non-food relief items to Baucau and 
Viqueque districts. The humanitarian assistance had been delivered to 
Watulari sub-district, Viqueque and Uatocarabau town in Viqueque 
district, and to Venilale in Baucau district. The accompanying civil 
servants of the Ministry of Social Solidarity concluded that in most of 
the locations more assistance was required, especially non-food items.

9. From 17-19 August a convoy with civil servants from various 
ministries delivered food and non-food items to Baucau and Quelicai, and 
mosquito nets and urgently required medical supplies to Viqueque town. 
An assessment was undertaken at the same time.

10. OCHA is in close contact with the national and international 
humanitarian aid organizations, the Government, 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 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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