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Home | UNICEF in Action | Highlights | Information Resources | Donations, Greeting Cards & Gifts | Press Centre | Voices of Youth | About UNICEFUpdate: 1 October 1999(This information is available for archival purposes only. It was current as of the date given above, and has been superseded by newer updates.) UNICEF has been rapidly reestablishing its presence in East Timor after evacuating following the post-election violence there in early September. With the arrival of a Multinational Force in East Timor, UNICEF has been delivering increasing amounts of vital humanitarian aid. With order largely restored, an estimated 30,000-70,000 persons displaced by the post-election violence are coming down from the hills to the East Timor capital of Dili and other towns where the Multinational Force is in control. In West Timor, where as many as 230,000 East Timorese are attempting to survive as displaced persons in camps, UNICEF is providing vitally needed assistance. In addition, in a strongly worded statement, Executive Director Carol Bellamy advocates for the protection of this vulnerable displaced population, especially children and women. Humanitarian work in East Timor resumes UNICEF has already delivered to East Timor:
UNICEF is now preparing to deliver:
UNICEF has delivered goods to East Timor by land, sea, and air. The agency now has five full-time officers in East Timor, including experts in health, water & sanitation, education and logistics. UNICEF is also cooperating with WHO and several NGOs to address urgent health needs in the country. UNICEF staff returned to Dili on 20 September following a two-week evacuation. Accommodation remains a problem with some staff forced to sleep in warehouses. The western part of East Timor will remain in critical shape until the Multi National Force restores order throughout the area. The ongoing challenge is to facilitate the eventual return to their homes (or to other dwellings when homes have been destroyed) of as many as 80,000 displaced persons hiding in the hills and mountains in flight from militia violence.
The current dangerous situation in West Timor At present more than 230,000 displaced persons are estimated to be in 37 camps in 11 locations in West Timor and nearby islands. Over 33,000 are under five years old, more than 13,000 are under two years old and over 6,000 are pregnant mothers. These figures, reported by the provincial Social Affairs Office, may actually be lower to the extent that displaced persons have left camps without reporting. Nonetheless, the camps are overcrowded and poor sanitation is a serious problem. Outbreaks of malaria, diarrhoea and acute respiratory infections are feared. Displaced people known to have voted for the independence of East Timor are in particular danger from opposition forces that have also moved from East to West Timor. The protection of these displaced persons from current and widely threatened future militia violence is of paramount concern to UNICEF. Humanitarian aid and protection advocacy in West Timor
UNICEF has already delivered to refugees in West Timor:
UNICEF is now preparing to deliver:
UNICEF delivers relief supplies directly to those in need. The children's agency is working with women's groups, church groups, and local NGOs to provide follow-up after the delivery of relief items. For example, an association of mayors' wives helps instruct mothers in the preparation of UNICEF Vitadele baby food. UNICEF has more than 15 staff members taking direct part in the relief effort in West Timor. Jakarta Briefing On Thursday 30 September, Stephen Woodhouse, Area Representative for UNICEF, and Khin Sandi Lwin, UNICEF Senior Programme Officer, briefed media in Jakarta on the troubling conditions facing refugees in West Timor. UNICEF spoke about the need for an immediate end to the threatening atmosphere - real or perceived - that has been dampening the response of the international community. UNICEF also addressed the undiminishing prospect of rights violations toward children and women.
UNICEF's history in the region
UNICEF has worked to help children in both East and West Timor for nearly 20 years. It has maintained a continued presence in West Timor, based in Kupang, and has opened a new office at Atambua on the East/West Timor border, supported by a staging centre in Darwin, Australia. In Dili, UNICEF continues working to secure new office and storage facilities. Former premises were looted and burned in the violence after 5 September. What UNICEF Is Doing | Feature Stories | Press Releases | How You Can Help | LinksHome | UNICEF in Action | Highlights | Information Resources | Donations, Greeting Cards & Gifts | Press Centre | Voices of Youth | About UNICEF |
