Highlights
- Security Council meets on Timor-Leste
- Rice shortage throughout the country creates security and protection concerns
- Presidential elections scheduled for 9 April 2007
- Volatile security situation causes new population displacement
- DSRSG / RC / HC visits the districts
- Humanitarian situation deteriorates, particularly in Baucau IDP camps
- Need for sustainable and durable solutions for internal displacement
OVERVIEW
One of the key events during the reporting period was a meeting of the UN Security Council, held on 12 February 2007 to discuss Timor-Leste and attended by 23 member states. Among other matters the meeting decided on the extension of UNMIT's mandate (1) for twelve months.
The Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) and the Simu Malu group met to discuss humanitarian issues of concern in each sector. The representatives of donor countries were briefed by the DSRSG / RC / HC, the Ministers of Labour and Community Reinsertion and the Minister of Development (2)
There is currently an acute shortage of rice in the markets in Timor-Leste which has led to security and protection concerns and looting of warehouses. In addition, El Nino effects resulting in late rains have impacted on the general food security situation in some districts. In the meantime, as El Nino seems to be over, we should expect a delayed but still normal rainy season.
The presidential elections will be held on 9 April 2007. UNMIT is supporting the preparations with 472 staff dedicated to this process including 250 UNVs and 170 national staff. Voter registration commenced on 29 January 2007 and will end on 16 March. The final date for the presentation of candidates for the presidential elections is 28 February. Five candidates have been proposed. Parliamentary elections are still to be scheduled.
In this context there has been an escalation of violence in Dili in the last two weeks, exacerbated by inter-gang rivalry. There are increased reports of incidences of assault, group fighting, gun shots, illegal check-points, arson, public disturbance and property damage including a tendency to target particularly UN and Government vehicles. In two weeks the security incidences increased from 95 to 113, with several houses set ablaze and some reported deaths, mainly in Dili. Bairo Pite, Fatuhada, Santa Cruz/Taibessi and Kampung Baru are the places with higher incidences of violence. In the districts incidents were reported in Liquica (2 houses burnt), Ermera (one person killed and two injured) and Baucau (one person injured).
As a result of the security incidents, at least 5,000 people have been displaced to new locations or to existing camps since January 2007, leading to significant overcrowding of camps and straining particularly the water and sanitation services.
Within the context of the preparations for the elections, field visits were undertaken to all districts by the DSRSG/RC/HC. Humanitarian partners used the opportunity to monitor the evolution of the humanitarian situation in four districts (Ainaro, Viqueque, Manatuto and Liquica). The partners on the ground, including local Government and beneficiaries, reported food insecurity across all districts, water and sanitation, shortage of rain and looming drought, health, education and livelihood as the key issues of concern. There is also a sense of unfairness amongst those who do not receive humanitarian assistance despite facing similar problems as IDPs and host families. Separate field visits indicated a significant deterioration of the humanitarian situation throughout the country, particularly in Baucau IDP camps, which needs to be urgently addressed. Mission reports are available.
It is generally assumed that there is no immediate solution to the IDP issue, as it will take time to resolve the root causes of the crisis such as impunity, sense of security, land property and house rehabilitation. Although efforts will continue to facilitate the return and relocation of those who can and wish to do so, the humanitarian community should be prepared to face longer-term displacement in all 13 districts. The Operational Plan for Durable Solutions for IDPs approved by the Inter-Ministerial Committee in November 2007, continues to be the basis for planning of IDP assistance throughout the country. As stated by the inter-agency Consolidated Appeal 2007 for Timor-Leste, there is a need to prepare a mid-to-longer term strategy to address the issues at stake and prepare the transition to more sustainable interventions.
With regards to early warning and emergency preparedness, the National Disasters Management Office of the Ministry of the Interior (NDMO) has prepared Contingency Plans for floods and drought, which are being finalised. An overarching Contingency Plan for natural disasters and other emergencies is available, but needs to be updated with regards to emergency stocks.
HUMANITARIAN SITUATION BY SECTOR
Population Movement
The estimated 100,000 IDPs (10% of Timor-Leste's population) remain displaced as a result of violence in Dili in 2006, and are staying with host families in the districts and in IDP camps in Dili and Baucau. In addition, following recent security incidents since January 2007, particularly during the last two weeks, 5,000 people have sought refuge in existing camps as well as in four new locations as follows (see attached map):
UIR - 655 persons (106 families)
RTK - 291 persons (48 families)
Cathedral - 882 persons
Tuana Laran - 29 persons
Bairo Pite Clinic - 62 persons (14 families)
Although quick surveys have been undertaken in the new and old camps that received new IDPs, there is an urgent need for a comprehensive inter-agency assessment of all IDP camps to ascertain their current most critical needs, particularly in the new sites and in those at risk of flooding. The increase in number of IDPs in some of the existing camps is leading to overcrowding and straining services. There is a need to refocus our attention to all IDP camps instead of concentrating on the return and relocation of IDPs. Field visits indicated that most IDPs who had relocated or returned to the districts came back to Dili only a few days later and moved into other IDP camps.
Food Aid
The current rice shortage in the markets of Timor-Leste is causing significant security incidents in Dili and some districts. In Baucau, protestors have demanded a general food distribution. The reasons for rice shortage vary and include, traders holding the commodity, shortage of rice in the region including Vietnam, Indonesia and Philippines, market forces contributing to attractiveness of sale of rice in Indonesia, and delaying transportation especially to Oecussi. The price of rice has skyrocketed in recent weeks, and reached up to USD 60 a bag of 50 kg, compared to USD 12 in January 2007.
WFP in consensus with donors agreed to provide 300 MT of rice on loan to the Government through its Strategic Food Reserves to complement Government's efforts to secure rice supply and stabilise market prices. The Government is currently supplying this rice at $9.25/25kg in Dili and the districts affected by the recent hike. Starting on 23 February, it is planning to distribute rice across Dili via 4 centres to 5,000 people per centre. An additional 102 MT of assorted food commodities was sent to Oecussi on 12 February by road to alleviate the irregular and insufficient ferry service to the district.
It was planned to stop food distribution by 31 January 2007 and prepare vulnerability criteria for targeted food distribution in IDP camps in Dili. However, the proposed exit strategy and defining of vulnerable criteria are still under discussion. Several factors have contributed to its non implementation, including the following:
- No formal registration of IDPs which has led to difficulties in targeting the most vulnerable populations.
- A critical shortage of the staple food, rice, which affects the whole population regardless of their level of vulnerability and more so the displaced people.
- A looming drought due to late rains and El Nino, and uncertainties regarding the harvest season.
As per the Ministry of Labour's directive, food assistance to IDPs in the districts will be continued until end of March 2007. The Ministry of Agriculture is planning to undertake a Food and Crop Assessment in March 2007 with the support of WFP and FAO.
Shelter
Transitional Shelter units built by the Norwegian Refugee Council in Tasitolu, Hera, and Tibar have been handed over to the Government, while the transitional shelter in Becora is being finalised. The Shelter Working Group has proposed to identify additional transitional shelter sites to accommodate IDPs living in the most critical camps such as those posing security threats or at risk of flooding.
Some families have moved to Quarantina site at Tacitolu and arrangements for other IDPs to move to the transitional shelter sites are being finalised. A 24/7 UNPOL presence at the site is being established, in order to ensure that IDPs find them a better option than staying in IDP camps. After the spontaneous partial occupation of the transitional shelter units in Tibar, MTRC is planning an assessment to ensure its allocation in accordance with vulnerability criteria.
Due to the urgent need to address the issue of house rehabilitation and transitional shelter, a group of humanitarian partners is working on a proposal for durable solutions for IDPs to be discussed within the coming weeks.
The Shelter and Protection Working Groups are elaborating recommendations regarding the planning and implementation of the rehabilitation and reconstruction of damaged and destroyed houses.
Protection
There has been increased reporting of incidences of incest, domestic violence and sexual harassment in some IDP camps, particularly in Jardim, Tibar, Metinaro and Baucau. Regarding Gender Based Violence, an area of concern is how to address these issues and encourage the victims to report. In some locations IDPs continue to be held hostage by camp managers and other IDPs.
Health and Nutrition
The Maternal and Child Health programme currently covers 20,665 malnourished children under the age of 5, and 6,781 pregnant and lactating women through 55 Community Health Centres and Health Posts in Ainaro, Baucau, Bobonaro, Covalima, Liquica and Oecussi districts.
The Maternity Waiting Camp continues to operate at the Hospital Nacional Guido Valadares. Postpartum women have been very reluctant to leave the camp due to security reasons. The Ministry of Health will review the need for the Maternity Waiting Camp at the end of March 2007. UNFPA handed over three Nissan Patrol ambulances, 330 sphygmomanometers, stethoscopes and 13 desktop computer and printer sets to the Ministry of Health. The ambulances and items are part of comprehensive reproductive health services in all 13 districts, including the humanitarian response to the IDP situation. They were procured from funds donated by the governments of Norway and Sweden in July 2006 in response to the UN Flash Appeal.
Larvaciding has been undertaken by Health Net in several high risk camps around Dili. World Vision, Oxfam and Health Net are also investigating residual spraying in high risk camps.
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene
The number of IDPs in some camps continues to increase and to strain water and sanitation services. Emergency portable latrines have been provided to the Cathedral site with the assistance of CRS, Care, Plan and Oxfam. The Cathedral site is also prone to flooding.
The escalation of violence has on several occasions hampered access to IDP camps and affected mainly the provision of water and sanitation services, thus making water trucking more expensive, as very few camps have their own sources of water. Many of the organisations working on water and sanitation are currently experiencing critical funding shortages and might have to hand over their projects to the Government in February 2007 If there is no change in the situation. There has been a gradual handover of rubbish collection services to DNAS (3)
Due to unresolved specific issues of access to health services and water and sanitation in Metinaro and Tibar camps, a Working Group was created in February to propose solutions. Both Metinaro and Tibar continue to receive IDPs coming back from the districts in search of sources of income, better access to social services and shelter. In addition, Metinaro is very prone to flooding, it has not enough space for agriculture, and ground water is salty. Within the last two months Metinaro has had two security incidents connected to water supply, during which humanitarian workers were targeted for taking water from the village well to the camp. Tibar is in a similar situation and has in addition a problem of maintenance of water and sanitation facilities due to overcrowding.
Education
The current security situation in Dili has led to temporary closure of some schools and drop in school attendance. However, primary school attendance seems to have recently increased with the distribution of 199,385 back packs containing stationery items by UNICEF throughout the country, along with 5,566 teachers bags with teaching materials. A number of schools and IDP camps in Dili and vicinity also received tents and additional learning support materials.
The WFP-assisted School Feeding (SF) programme continues to provide mid-morning meals to primary school children in Atauro sub-district, Ainaro, Baucau, Bobonaro, Covalima, Liquica and Oecussi districts, resulting in an increase in primary schools enrolment from 11,000 to 14,000 pupils in Ainaro district. The programme now covers 66,082 children, including 33,546 boys and 32,536 girls in 301 schools. During the past week there has been cases of attacks and theft of food intended for the SF programme in Liquca and Baucau districts. Security of the food was highlighted as the biggest problem facing the implementation of the SF programme at 12 schools in Maucatar, Suai Kota, Tilimar and Zulamai sub districts in Covalima district.
CAP under-funding
Since the launch of the Consolidated Appeal 2007 for Timor-Leste (CAP) in January 2007, which requests a total of USD 16.6 million, an estimated USD 7 million have been pledged by the Governments of Australia, New Zealand and Sweden as well as by ECHO.
CAP 2007 - PLEDGES
as of 23 February 2007
Date |
Donor |
Amount in Nat Currency
|
Amount
in USD (4) |
Sector |
Organisation |
06 Dec
|
ECHO
| € 1.5 million |
2 million
|
Food Aid
|
WFP
|
€ 1.5 million |
2 million
|
?
|
?
| ||
19 Jan
|
Australia
| AUD 1 million |
800,000
|
Food Aid
|
WFP
|
AUD 1 million |
800,000
|
Water / San
|
OXFAM
| ||
15 Feb
|
Australia
| Not known |
1.5 million
|
Camp Management
|
IOM
|
6 Feb
|
New Zealand
| NZ$ 500,000 |
350,000
|
Food Aid
|
WFP
|
13 Feb
|
SIDA
| SEK 2.5 million |
332,000
|
?
|
UNICEF
|
SIDA
| SEK 2.5 million |
332,000
|
Rehabilitation
|
UNDP
| |
Amount pledged
|
7 million
| ||||
Funding gap
|
9.6 million
|
The following sectors have been partially funded:
Multi-sector (IOM)
Food Aid (WFP)
Water and Sanitation (OXFAM)
Economic Recovery and Infrastructure (UNDP)
Seven Sectors have not been funded:
Agriculture
Coordination and Support Services
Education
Health
Protection
Security
Upcoming Events
Sector Working Group meetings - see Meeting Schedule at www.mtrc.gov.tl/info
27 February: Inter-Ministerial Committee meeting
1 March: Inter-Agency Standing Committee meeting
Notes
(1) United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste
(2) Records of these meetings will be shared in due course.
(3) National Directorate for Water and Sanitation of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Water and Energy.
(4) Depending on the daily exchange rate.
Disclaimer:
The information contained in this report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations.
For additional information, comments or suggestions please contact:
Ms Guadalupe de Sousa
Head of Mission
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian
Affairs (OCHA)
Timor-Leste, Dili
Mobile: 00670 - 732 25 21
Email: desousa.ocha@undp.org
Or
Ms Florentina Debling
Associate Information Officer
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian
Affairs (OCHA)
Timor-Leste, Dili
Mobile: 00670 - 732 14 73
Email: humanitarian.ocha@undp.org
Disclaimer
- UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
- To learn more about OCHA's activities, please visit https://www.unocha.org/.