MEDIA RELEASE
Austcare Supports East Timor
Austcare, the Australian international aid organisation is on the ground and
actively monitoring the unrest and displacement in the Eastern districts of
Vequeque and Baucau.
Austcare has committed AUD$40 thousand to assist in the current crisis in East
Timor and a needs assessment is already underway.
Increased humanitarian protection is required for displaced people, and should be
coordinated through UN agencies, the Timor-Leste government officials and local
networks, to ensure their safety and basic human rights, and assist in the
distribution of food and other emergency items.
The UN currently describes the security situation as 'volatile' and has confirmed
more than 140 homes have been torched in the eastern districts, with some local
reports putting that figure much higher. A number of offices and other buildings
have also been attacked. The current sporadic violence has caused many of
those displaced to seek shelter elsewhere, with reports significant numbers have
fled to the mountains with little or no supplies.
According to Austcare's Program Development Manager in Dili, Dr Jay
Maheswaran, "The new displacements in these districts adds to the woes of the
already 25,000 plus IDPs who were displaced to these districts after the 2006
crisis in Dili. Many people are still living in camps and communities awaiting a
more stable situation and security assurance to return to their homes."
Austcare has been working in East Timor since 1981 and currently has several
programs running, including protection and support for IDPs in Dili
and their reintegration, agricultural and peacebuilding initiatives. "The resurgence
of violence and displacement after the elections is distressing. We are
witnessing the continuing struggle for democracy to take root in Timor-Leste, and
Australians should stand by the majority of Timorese who genuinely want peace
and prosperity for their country," said Austcare CEO, Major General Michael Smith
AO (ret'd).
Austcare has launched a Crisis Appeal to raise further funds:
http://www.austcare.org.au/donatenow/appeals/timor-leste-crisis-appeal.aspx
(ENDS)
Mike Smith will be taking part in Sydney's City to Surf event and will be available
to comment either in person prior to 9am or by phone on: 0439 490 297
Dr Jay Maheswaran will be available by phone in Timor-Leste on +670 726 5705
For further information contact:
Daniel Barty
Campaign & Media Officer
(02) 9565 9104 or 0430 464 954
dbarty@austcare.org.au
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
