Timor-Leste Civil Unrest OCHA Situation Report No. 2

Timor-Leste Civil Unrest
OCHA Situation Report No. 2
9 August 2007

Summary Analysis

- Security incidents in Dili, Lautem, and Baucau have decreased but the situation remains tense.

- Fighting continues in Viqueque with reports of between 110-150 houses having been burnt and hundreds of inhabitants of Watulari sub-district having fled. The humanitarian community is preparing for a rapid assessment and response as soon as the security situation allows.

- In Dili and Baucau, water trucking and sanitation services to IDP camps have resumed, with some convey’s being escorted by UNPol.

SITUATION

1. The civil unrest occurring in connection with the announcement of the new government on the 6th of August 2007 following the 30th of June parliamentary elections has calmed down in Baucau and Dili. Political protests in Lautem yesterday remained peaceful.

2. In Viqueque, 110-150 houses have been burnt by violent groups. Hundreds of people from Watulari sub-district have been reported seeking refuge in the mountains around Aliambata, as well as in churches and homes in the area and Viqueque town.

3. In Baucau, there were some cases of arson, rock throwing and illegal roadblocks, and 20 houses have reportedly been burnt. Government offices, schools and shops have remained closed. Some people are taking shelter in the Quelicai church over night.

4. In Oecussi, the sub district administration building was burnt down early yesterday morning.

5. In Dili, no serious security incidents were reported. Yesterday, police continued to receive reports of rock throwing and public disturbances, mostly at night. A total of 19 people were arrested. 11 UN cars, mostly of UNPol, were damaged throughout the day.

HUMANITARIAN CONSEQUENCES

6. In Dili and Baucau, water trucking and sanitation services to IDP camps have resumed, with some convey’s being escorted by UNPol.

7. People from Watulari sub-district are reportedly seeking shelter with families, in churches, in the surrounding forest and in Viqueque town. Preparations are being made by the humanitarian community for a timely humanitarian response to the affected population as soon as the security situation allows.

9. Aid organizations are monitoring the situation of humanitarian needs and indications of further displacement.

10. OCHA is in close contact with the national and international humanitarian aid organizations, 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.

MAP: Reference map of Timor-Leste (as of Mar 2007)

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