On a November 22, US Ambassador to the United Nations, Richard Holbrooke, visited Dili, the capital of East Timor, and Atambua, an area in West Timor which hosts substantial numbers of displaced persons who have not been able to return to their homes in East Timor. During the visit, Ambassador Holbrooke criticized the pro-integrationist militias, stating that they were relying on tactics of both intimidation and misinformation to keep the displaced population from returning home.
At Ambassador Holbrooke's urging, the UN, the Indonesian military, and the CNRT (the East Timorese independence movement) signed an agreement on November 22, effective immediately, establishing a joint Border Commission with the objective of curtailing militia activities, including disarming and detaining militia members. The two sides also agreed to speed up the repatriation process.
In an effort to counter the problem of militia misinformation, Ambassador Holbrooke said that he and the head of the UN in East Timor would solicit the assistance of East Timorese leaders, Jose Alexandre Gusmao, and Carlos Zimes Belo, in disseminating accurate information. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has already begun its mass information campaign to encourage refugees to return home. Five local radio stations are broadcasting UNHCR messages ten times per day.
As of November 23, UNHCR reported that more than 90,000 displaced persons (DPs, the term used to refer to those forced to leave East Timor for West Timor) have repatriated to East Timor via organized and spontaneous means. According to the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance (OCHA), large numbers of DPs are now crossing into East Timor at Suai, Maliana, Batugade, and into the Ambeno enclave. In anticipation of a large influx of DPs, additional staff from UNHCR, UNOCHA, the UN's Children's Fund (UNICEF), and Oxfam deployed to both Suai and Beluulik on November 20.
There are currently 15 active avenues for return, including organized and spontaneous land crossings, ferry runs from West to East Timor, and flights from Kupang to Dili. Efforts are underway by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and UNHCR to increase organized returns by land, and to scale back those occurring by sea and air. IOM expects to reduce the number of ferries and boats used for repatriation over the next few weeks. * This total does not include funding for project funds provided by USAID/Jakarta to support NGO activities in Indonesia. UNHCR expects that most DPs who wish to return to East Timor will have done so by mid-December. UNHCR will continue to provide assistance to the DPs remaining in West Timor. UNHCR stated that DPs who choose to stay in West Timor will still be vulnerable and will continue to need assistance. In Maliana, militia members continue to harass DPs on the East Timor border, delay crossings, and extort money, livestock, and equipment. This situation has made it difficult to establish organized returns to Maliana, but spontaneous returns are occurring. As of November 20, more than 10,000 DPs were believe to have spontaneously repatriated to Maliana.
East Timor repatriation
According to OCHA, DPs in the Ambeno enclave western sector town of Citrana have suffered severe harassment, including being subjected to extortion by the militia.
The IOM reports that it is currently experiencing a funding shortfall and urgently requires an additional $8.45 million to cover repatriation operations until the end of the year. To date, the international community has pledged $3.8 million. According to IOM, overland returns from Betun to Suai are gathering momentum. On November 22 and 23, IOM and UNHCR repatriated 3,163 DPs from Betun to Suai. An additional 3,300 DPs spontaneously crossed at Suai on November 22 and 23.
IOM reports that overland returns from Atambua to Batugade have been decreasing. On November 23, IOM repatriated 157 DPs to Batugade from Atambua. DPs continue to return from camps in the Kefamenanu region to the Ambeno enclave.
IOM repatriated 218 DPs to the town of Passabe. Most returnees have come from West Timor; however, some returnees have repatriated from other islands as well.
On November 18, 90 DPs returned to East Timor on a flight from Macau. The flight, which was organized by the Government of Macao (GOM), also contained relief supplies. The GOM may arrange additional flights to return DPs to East Timor.
IOM is exploring the possibility of sending a ferry to the island of Alor to repatriate an estimated 700 DPs. In addition, IOM plans to repatriate some 900 DPs from Australia to Dili.
Overall international response
The UN's International Forces in East Timor (INTERFET) forces now number over 9,400 troops from nineteen countries. As of November 17, INTERFET designated all roads in East Timor as secure and no longer requiring military escorts for humanitarian convoys.
According to press reports, the Australian government will provide $38 million in aid to East Timor, in addition to the previously committed $8.8 million. Of the additional assistance, $14.6 million will be granted to UN agencies for immediate humanitarian needs and the remainder will be used for long-term reconstruction and development programs. According to press reports, the European Union (EU) plans to announce shortly a new aid package for East Timor. The EU will provide $10.3 million in humanitarian aid and $8.7 million in food aid.
The new pledge will bring the EU's total contribution to $35 million.
The World Bank has released a draft summary report of the Joint Assessment Mission (JAM) to East Timor. The JAM is proposing $250 – $300 million in aid to east Timor over the next three years.
World Bank activities in East Timor will begin in six to seven months. UNHCR and the World Bank are coordinating to ensure a smooth transition.
Agriculture/food aid
The imminent onset of the rainy season means it will soon be too late for planting maize for many of East Timor's displaced. In coastal areas, the deadline for planting is the first week in December. Since it takes time to prepare the land, DPs will have to return to these areas by the end of November. Families who miss this year's planting season will not be able to plant maize again until November 2000. According to the World Bank's JAM, much of the harvest in the eastern region of East Timor was destroyed following the recent elections. The only crops that remained intact were those that had not yet been harvested. The coffee crop, however, is reportedly in good condition.
To date, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has distributed over 100 metric tons (MT) of seeds in the districts of Lautem, Aiaro, Aileu, Baucau, Bobonaro, Ermera, and around Dili.
The World Food Program (WFP) helicopter delivered 16.8 MT of seed to Same. A barge delivered 130 MT of food to Oekussi, including 100 MT of rice, 23 MT of beans, 5 MT of vegetable oil, 1 MT of salt, and 1 MT of rations. Road convoys transported rice and seeds to the towns of Bleno and Manatuto.
Health
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that the most common diseases seen by the 26 health facilities operated by eight agencies in five districts in East Timor are upper respiratory infections and malaria. Twenty-eight cases of measles were reported in Ermera, Baucau, and Dili. WHO confirms that the number of measles cases in Dili is decreasing as DPs return to their homes.
According to OCHA, six children have died from measles in the town of Fatuberliu. A medical team from Oikos, a Portuguese NGO, is taking blood samples and is launching appropriate interventions.
OCHA reports that a UNICEF team vaccinated 1,800 children against measles on November 22, at the border crossing near Suai.
Doctors of the World (MDM) is sending an additional medical team to Suai. The Health Coordination Working Group is sending a Timorese doctor to support MDM's three medical teams.
On November 23, Doctors without Borders (MSF) opened a mobile clinic in Marco and Aida-Basalala and continues to operate the hospital in the town of Maliana. World Vision International (WVI) is operating a mobile clinic in Lolotoe and Bobonaro.
UNICEF and MDM are working to provide medical support to the hospital in Suai following the departure of ITERFET medical staff on November 18.
ICRC has undertaken a health survey in Los Palos to determine the cause of malnutrition reported among returnees. Initial reports indicate that poor quality food may be the problem. ICRC plans to begin an education program for mothers in an effort to prevent further malnutrition problems.
Shelter
UNHCR announced that it will receive funds for the procurement of materials for 6,000 houses (shelter kits), doubling the number of shelter kits currently being procured.
West Timor security
UNHCR field staff in West Timor reported in mid-November that the Indonesian military is still not fully committed to facilitating the return of refugees. Systematic intimidation of potential returnees and harassment of UNHCR staff by militia elements continue, and the Indonesian military response to these incidents has been weak and sporadic.
On November 17, a group of some 30 militia members attacked Timorese awaiting repatriation near the police station in Atambua.
Two DPs were hospitalized from injuries they received during the attack, including a pregnant woman. Local policemen were at the site during the attack, but made no effort to intervene.
UNHCR officials protested the attack and warned the police that they would suspend repatriation operations unless measures were taken to stop militia harassment. Following the incident, IOM reported that the number of people showing up at the Atambua staging point dropped sharply. The ferry service for returnees from Atembua's port of Atapupu remains suspended because of the drop in the number of returnees there.
Returning refugees continue to experience human rights violations while en route to East Timor. UNHCR is promoting the establishment of a secured corridor along the border where security problems for returnees are most acute. The Indonesian military has agreed with the establishment of this corridor, but INTERFET has yet to approve the concept.
UNHCR has begun "snatch-and-run" operations in West Timor to assist DPs wanting to return to East Timor. UNHCR reports that on November 19, it hurriedly extricated 76 DPs from the militia-controlled Tua Puka camp. UNHCR staff parked their trucks outside the camp's gates while the DPs ran to the vehicles which had to rapidly depart in order to avoid confronting militia members.
Repatriation
Of the estimated 140,000 – 160,000 displaced East Timorese remaining in West Timor, as many as 40,000 – 45,000 DPs are former Government of Indonesia (GOI) civil servants, Indonesian military regional forces, and police formerly stationed in East Timor, plus their families (these figures are based on figures provided by the GOI). The GOI claims to have registered 16,000 former East Timorese civil servants, and claims the number may be as high as 20,000. There are also roughly 2,000 to 3,000 Indonesian military personnel and 800 police. According to the GOI, an estimated 60 percent of these groups are ethnic East Timorese.
The number of GOI ethnic East Timorese employees is estimated to number approximately 29,000. They are potential repatriates. The non-ethnic East Timorese population could amount to another 15,000. According to USAID/OFDA's Senior Regional Advisor, just returned from West Timor, the constraints to repatriation for many of these East Timorese GOI employees may stem from unresolved issues of back pay, benefits, pension, rights etc, as well as uncertainly regarding future employment in East Timor.
Health and Water/sanitation
ICRC and the Indonesian Red Cross are operating twelve health care posts in DP camps in the Atambua area near the East Timor border. According to ICRC, each post treats some 100 DPs per day. Indonesia Red Cross doctors report that the most prevalent diseases are respiratory infections, malaria, and bloody diarrhea. Many of those being treated for diarrhea are children under the age of five. The posts plan to add rehydration clinics, which will provide DPs with clean drinking water and oral rehydration solution, and will teach preventive hygiene.
ICRC and the Indonesian Red Cross in Atambua are building additional latrines in the camps, providing chlorine tablets for water purification, transporting water into the camps, and are looking into drilling boreholes to increase the water supply. CARE plans to program approximately $250,000 for potable water collection activities in West Timor camps.
Education
On November 18, UNICEF announced that it will begin operating tent schools in camps in the Belu District in West Timor within the next few weeks. The schools will cover pre-school through sixth grade. UNICEF will incorporate a psychosocial component into the educational strategy as well as teacher training.
USG Assistance
On November 10, President Clinton authorized an additional $30 million in funding from his Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance (ERMA) fund to expand relief operations in East and West Timor. This will bring total US Government (USG) assistance to $61,282,744.
USG assistance, provided mainly by USAID and the US State Department's Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) and delivered through local and international implementing partners, aims to meet the humanitarian needs of East Timorese in East and West Timor. USAID assistance is based on field assessments by USAID/Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) and USAID/Jakarta staff, as well as information provided by implementing partners. USAID/OFDA has been authorized to provide $12,387,950 in assistance. This assistance includes:
- $1.6 million for the provision and transport of various relief commodities, such as humanitarian daily rations, plastic sheeting, blankets, and water containers;
- $165,000 to an Indonesian non-governmental organization (NGO) implementing water/sanitation activities at four sites along the West Timor border;
- $1.3 million to WFP for logistics and transport operations;
- $500,000 to UNICEF in support of emergency assistance programs in East and West Timor; and,
- up to an additional $8.8 million in grants to NGOs and international organizations (IOs) for humanitarian assistance in East and West Timor.
USAID/Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) provided $429,000 in funding to support the peace process and monitoring of the elections in East Timor. USAID/OTI is providing another $240,000 through 11 grants to local East Timorese NGOs and OCHA to help strengthen indigenous NGOs affected by the emergency. The funds will be used to provide in-kind donations of equipment and staff salaries for three months to help the organizations re-establish themselves.
Moreover, USAID/Jakarta's Office of Population, Health, and Nutrition (PHN) is providing $568,924 to expand and extend an existing grant with WVI for a food security and health initiative in East Timor. The USAID/Jakarta mission has provided $5,870 to Project Concern International for a health assessment in West Timor. In addition, USAID/Jakarta has provided $600,000 to the National Cooperative Business Association for primary health clinics in East Timor.
State/PRM has provided $5.1 million to UNHCR, ICRC, WFP, and OCHA to assist these organizations in meeting the needs of East Timorese.
In early September, the US Department of Defense (DOD) donated a total of 300,000 humanitarian daily rations (HDRs) to meet immediate needs in East Timor.
The rations, valued at $1,275,000, were dispatched to Darwin, Australia, via USAID/OFDA-funded commercial aircraft. WFP and INTERFET have airdropped 180,000 DOD-provided HDRs to date. No further airdrops are planned and the remaining 120,000 HDRs are being held in reserve by WFP for contingency use as needed.
DOD also transported Portuguese relief commodities from Lisbon to Darwin, Australia at a cost of $580,000.
The US military and WFP reached an agreement on November 4 to transport food and non-food relief supplies to extended delivery points in East Timor via two helicopters. The helicopters will be used until mid-November.
On October 27, the ship USS Pelleliu arrived in Dili. The ship will provide heavy-lift helicopter support to INTERFET to transport military assets from Dili to other locations in East Timor.
In addition, DOD is assisting INTERFET in intelligence gathering, communications, logistics, coordination, and airlift capability.
Approximately 20 civil affairs personnel from Fort Bragg have been assigned to the Civil Military Operations Center (CMOC) in Dili.
Background
Following an overwhelming UN-supported vote for independence from Indonesia, pro-integrationist militias in East Timor rampaged and plundered through several cities and towns in early September.
Thousands of civilians were killed in the ensuing violence. There was widespread destruction of homes and private assets on the island, including UN and NGO offices and equipment. More than 350,000 East Timorese were displaced from their homes due to the violence, including approximately 200,000 IDPs who fled to the surrounding hills and jungles of East Timor. Although INTERFET has gained access and control throughout East Timor, the overall security situation in the East/West Tinor border area remains tenuous due to the continued presence of militia there.
Funding
- USAID/OFDA: $12,387,950
- USAID/FFP: $9,969,000
- USAID/OTI: $669,000
- USAID/Jakarta: $1,301,794
- State/PRM: $5,100,000*
- DOD: $1,855,000
- TOTAL USG ASSISTANCE: $31,282,744**
** This total does not include funding for project funds provided by USAID/Jakarta to support NGO activities in Indonesia nor the $30 million in authorized ERMA funds.