USAID
Addresses Needs of Timor-Leste's
Displaced Population
DILI, TIMOR-LESTE -- Timor-Leste's capital, Dili, remains calm
and quiet after civil disturbances on April 28, 2006, prompted
tens of thousands of people to leave their homes in the city.
No further disturbances have taken place in Dili, but many people
have been reluctant to return because accurate information about
the situation is not available to them. To address this problem
and to help those living away from their homes, USAID has asked
its partners to initiate special activities focused on disseminating
information and responding to the needs of the internally displaced
population.
In an effort to provide timely and accurate information to
people across the country, USAID partners are working to with
the public broadcast service, Radio-Television Timor-Leste (RTTL),
to produce news updates for nationwide broadcast and distribution
to community radio stations. Dili-based community radio station
Radio Rakambia is also using its mobile broadcasting facilities
to bring information and news to rural areas and Dili suburbs
where there is currently no radio access. Reliable information
is expected to dispel inaccurate rumors and encourage residents
to return home.
USAID is also helping RTTL fast-track the repair schedule for
its district transmitters and produce a special news story on
the recent events for distribution through the Asia-Pacific
Broadcasting Union and the European Broadcasting Union.
To assist the many thousands of residents who left their homes,
USAID partners are coordinating with the government's Ministry
of Labor and Community Reinsertion. Many families have gathered
in school grounds and church facilities on the outskirts of
Dili and are in need of basic supplies. Partners are involved
in a wide range of activities including: supplying supplemental
food to pregnant and lactating women and children under five;
providing health screening services to identify cases of infectious
diseases; distributing hygiene kits and insecticide-treated
mosquito nets to reduce the incidence of vector-borne disease
and improve sanitation; and supplying potable water.
USAID is also addressing the need to investigate the April
28 disturbances and their aftermath. With USAID funding, the
Office of the Provedor (the independent ombudsman for corruption,
human rights abuses, and maladministration) is sending four
mobile monitoring teams to cover areas around the country subject
to potential conflict and rumors of violence. USAID is also
funding a short-term legal advisor to help with the Provedor's
monitoring work and public reporting of activities and findings.
This support complements USAID's assistance to the office during
its first year of operation.
Most displaced residents are expected to return
to their homes soon. In the meantime, USAID and other international
donors are working closely with the Timor-Leste government to
meet their immediate needs and to help life in the young nation
return to normal as quickly as possible.
USAID
response to IDPs 11May06.pdf
