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Timor-Leste

Timor-Leste: Humanitarian update, 21 Dec - 07 Jan 2008

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HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE IN A SNAPSHOT

1. Liquica District: WFP and MSS provided food, buckets and tarpaulins to Liquica District where 300 people left their homes due to the recent floods (see box below for further information)

2. Covalima District: WFP is currently providing two food rations to the 6,000 households recently affected by flash floods and locust infestation (one month ration equals to 6 kg of rice per person/month and 2 kg of beans per person/month.)

3. Suai: WFP provided food to people who have had their houses burnt due to the recent arson. (see next page for further information)

4. Food distribution: The January full ration distribution cycle started on 7 January for a planned number of 64,200 beneficiaries.

5. Tent replacement: According to the latest figures (18 December), about 1800 new tents and 4500 tarpaulins have been distributed in 31 IDP camps in Dili.

6. Residual spraying: During November and December 2007, the local NGO HealthNet sprayed tents, tarpaulins, buildings and wash rooms in 21 IDP camps in Dili.

FLOODING DAMAGE IN LIQUICA

On 1 and 2 January, flooding occurred in three sucos of Liquica district: Maumeta (Bazartete sub-district), Dato and Luculai (Liquica sub-district). Due to sedimentation, rivers changed their course and flooded residential areas with mud and boulders. According to the National Police (PNTL), around 100 houses were destroyed and 90 were damaged. Furthermore, 650 households are facing water shortage due to the damage to the water pipes. Some electrical poles have also collapsed and several areas are currently without electricity (the 'RSS' area in Liquica sub-district and Kaitehu in Bazartete sub-district).

Despite the high level of destruction in the affected areas no injuries or loss of life have been reported. PNTL had warned and helped to evacuate populations in the affected areas before the floods hit, which may have saved many lives. However, some families did not have the opportunity to save any of their belongings.

In total, around 300 families left their homes due to the destruction of their houses or fear thereof. Some are staying

with host families, others are sheltering in schools. The Ministry of Social Solidarity (MSS) and WFP delivered initial

humanitarian assistance (bags of rice, tarpaulins, buckets), which was distributed by PNTL to the affected population.

The Liquica market has been affected by the mud flows and a section of the Dili Liquica primary highway has partly collapsed due to a river that changed its course. The Ministry of Infrastructure has deployed heavy machinery in order to undertake some mitigation work. The water pipes from a mountain reservoir and the intake to the township have been damaged by the floods and wells may have been contaminated. The road and bridges conditions are also of concern. Immediate needs include the supply of drinking water, as well as the need for non-food items such as jerry cans, blankets, kitchen sets, sleeping mats etc.

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