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Update: 24 September 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 It was current as of the date given above, and has been superseded by newer updates.)

In the wake of the violence which began on 5 September following free elections, UNICEF was forced to evacuate East Timor. The recent arrival of a multinational peacekeeping force is making it possible for the the agency to resume its humanitarian work in East Timor. The agency is also deeply involved in helping the people of East Timor -- children and women in particular -- who fled from East to West Timor following the post-election violence. Indeed, concern at growing threats to the safety of these displaced persons was expressed in a statement by UNICEF Executive Director Carol Bellamy.

Humanitarian work in East Timor resumes

On Thursday, UNICEF was able to deliver, overland, 1.2 metric tonnes of baby food from West Timor (Atambua) across to East Timor. This first shipment of badly needed aid was subsequently transported to hungry young children in mountain camps in Dare (20 kms East of Dili) , a region where some 40,000 people live in harsh conditions, surviving largely on papaya and edible roots.

On Saturday 25 September, UNICEF plans to airlift from Darwin into Dili, 60 emergency health and drug kits, 5,000 blankets, 3,000 jerry cans and 12.5 tonnes of baby food (3.5 tonnes of baby food serves 300 children for six months). 

A major emphasis is on education

UNICEF is the designated focal point for response in the education sector in East Timor. A team is already in place and meeting with other key organizations to co-ordinate their joint efforts. UNICEF partners include World Vision, CARITAS, Timor Aid, Save the Children Fund and Oxfam. Priority areas identified are: establishment of primary schools, provision of teaching/learning materials and toys, putting in place a mobile trauma service and exploring interim compensation arrangements for unpaid teachers.

The situation in West Timor

In West Timor and surrounding islands, the number of displaced people is reported to have reached 214,000 with 30,000 under-five year olds, 12,000 under-two year olds and almost 6,000 pregnant women. 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.

On Sunday 26 September, UNICEF will transport 6 metric tonnes of baby food and quantities of tents and jerry cans on a Hercules C130 chartered from the Indonesian airforce. The Hercules will fly from Surabaya (eastern end of Java) into Kupang. These supplies will be used for children in the refugee camps in West Timor. In these camps, UNICEF has staff members providing emergency food supplies, medicines, water tanks and containers. Some of the Hercules supply load may be used on a second "land bridge" convoy between West and East Timor.

UNICEF presence 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 is working to secure new office and storage facilities. Former premises were looted and burned after 5 September.

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