An easing of tensions following last week’s demonstrations,
street violence and gang attacks on several IDP camps around Dili
has allowed IOM to resume its camp management and food delivery
operations.



The relative calm resulting from political agreement on a caretaker
government led to the reopening of government rice warehouses on
Friday and a resumption of IOM food deliveries to camps housing
over 5,000 IDPs in Dili, Gleno, Hera and Baucau.



In Hera, a fishing village 20kms east of Dili, IOM delivered some 8
MT of rice to over 2,000 IDPs at the Port Marina IDP camp on
Saturday. It also took over site liaison responsibilities and
completed an assessment of the camp, which now houses many families
fleeing the sectarian violence in Dili.



Despite the easing of tensions, security remains a major concern
for the IDPs, following attacks on camps in Dili last week. At the
weekend, IOM, UNHCR, and NGO partners AustCare and Rede Feto met
local camp leaders to discuss protection and security issues in the
IOM-managed Comoro Airport camp.



Representatives from each of the 29 blocks of tents within the site
formed a community watch committee and met the Australian Defence
Forces to discuss their security concerns and formulate a list of
camp safety rules to manage potential security threats.



The camp, which now houses some 6,000 people, is becoming
increasingly organized and on Friday opened the first of three safe
play areas for children. The Christian Children’s Fund and
the Australian embassy donated plastic balls, a volley ball net,
football jerseys and other play equipment.



“Children are very vulnerable in any camp environment and
these areas are psychologically important because they can provide
some semblance of normality,” says IOM Dili Chief of Mission
Luiz Vieira.



The area will also be used by UNICEF today to assess child
nutrition in the camp. At the weekend the UN World Food Programme
(WFP) suggested that up to 40 per cent of the population in
Timor-Leste may be suffering from chronic malnutrition. An
estimated 150,000 Timorese have been displaced by the violence of
the past two months.



For more information, please contact:



Angela Sherwood

IOM Dili

Tel.: +670 723 1576

E-mail: "mailto:asherwood@iom.int" target="_blank" title=
"">asherwood@iom.int