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Timor-Leste

Timor-Leste Civil Unrest OCHA Situation Report No. 5


Timor-Leste Civil Unrest
OCHA Situation Report No. 5
21 August 2007


Summary Analysis

- The overall security situation in Timor-Leste is calm at the moment, while the situation remains tense in Viqueque district.

- It is currently reported that 4,000 persons are displaced, and 323 houses have been burnt and 52 damaged in Viqueque and Baucau districts.

- Relief items from the Government of Timor-Leste have been delivered to the area and efforts are being undertaken to gain access to those displaced populations that are difficult to reach.

SITUATION

1. Civil unrest occurred in connection with the announcement of the new government on the 6th of August 2007 following the 30th of June parliamentary elections.

2. Viqueque and Baucau districts are most affected. The overall security situation in Timor-Leste is calm at the moment, 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.

3. In Viqueque, around 270 houses had been burnt by violent groups. Several villages have been severly damaged in Watulari sub-district, while villages around Viqueque town have also been affected. The functioning of public transport and schools has been disrupted and food, water and medical supplies are limited in the markets. Road travel within and between the districts of Baucau and Viqueque remains restricted at the moment due to security concerns especially after the ambush on a UN convoy on 10 August.

4. In Baucau district, 52 houses were destroyed in Venilale and Quelicai sub-districts. On 6 and 7 August, government, church, UN, and NGO facilities in Baucau district had been burnt or attacked. It is expected that schools and public transport will resume service in Baucau tomorrow.

HUMANITARIAN CONSEQUENCES

5. At least 4,000 persons are reportedly displaced at the moment in Viqueque and Baucau districts. The displaced are remaining in the mountains around the affected areas, and in convents, schools and compounds that are considered safe. In total 323 houses have been reported burnt and 52 damaged in Viqueque and Baucau districts.

6. Schools and shops are closed, public transport have been disrupted. Health services are functioning normally. Access to the facilities is believed to be hampered by security concerns.

HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE

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

8. On 13 August, the Government of Timor-Leste sent a convoy of 15 trucks carrying Government food and non-food relief items to Baucau and Viqueque districts. The humanitarian assistance was 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 and is expected to be released on 22 August.

10. Significant parts of the displaced population are reportedly scattered in forests and mountain areas, to which access is difficult. In order to gain access to these populations and provide assistance, an inter-agency assessment mission with United Nations helicopters to Watulari and Uatucarbau was scheduled to take place on Saturday, 18 August 2007. As heavy rains had made the roads in the area impassable, the assessment mission had to be rescheduled to Thursday, 23 August.

11. 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:

(NY) Ms. Kirsten Gelsdorf
Tel. +1-917 367 2174
e-mail: gelsdorf@un.org

(GVA) Mr. Jean Verheyden
Tel: +41 22 917 1381

Press contact:

(NY) Ms. Stephanie Bunker
Tel. +1-917 367 5126

(GVA) Ms. Elizabeth Byrs
Tel. +41-22-917 2653

Disclaimer

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
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