IOM and its local NGO partner BELUN this week hosted a two-day
forum for Timorese camp managers responsible for monitoring the
provision of services to thousands of internally displaced persons
(IDPs) in Dili.

The forum, which brought together a group of 48 Timorese camp
managers from a cross section of Dili’s 65 IDP sites, 
was the first opportunity to collectively review camp management
practice since the displacement of as many as 150,000 Timorese
nearly five months ago.

Camp managers were encouraged to share their experiences,
identify constraints and strengths in service provision, and
provide recommendations to the Timor Leste government and
humanitarian organizations on camp management structure and the
delivery of services ahead of the upcoming rainy season.

Health, education, security, and the government’s Simu
Malu (mutual acceptance) program for return and reintegration of
the displaced population, all figured prominently in the
discussion.

 “The forum was an excellent way of sharing
experiences and gaining perspective on our roles as camp managers.
We hope that the ideas generated here can help inform future camp
management planning and improvements in our camp conditions,”
said Goris Silveira from the Tasi Tolu IDP camp.

IOM Chief of Mission Luiz Vieira agreed that the forum was an
important step in giving a greater local voice to the integrated
camp management approach. “In building better relationships
between all involved in camp management we can continue to achieve
positive results in providing protection and delivering services to
those still needing assistance,” he said.

For more information, please contact:

Angela Sherwood

IOM Dili

Tel.+670 723 1576

E-mail: "mailto:asherwood@iom.int">asherwood@iom.int