There is an urgent need to return East
Timorese displaced from West Timor and elsewhere in Indonesia to their
communities of origin in order for rehabilitation, reconstruction and development
to begin as quickly as possible. The safe and orderly return transportation
of displaced persons is the responsibility of IOM by agreement and in close
cooperation with UNHCR.
Summary
Today, IOM repatriated a total of 499 people to East Timor by land and air.
Two land convoys were organised to repatriate refugees from West Timor. The first convoy picked up 235 refugees from Fatumean, Beruli and Tenubout, three camps in the Atambua area. Refugees were taken to the Motaain border crossing and then to Batugade. The second convoy repatriated 176 refugees from Dabene, Klepek, Oelolon, Manumuti and Sukabihun, five camps in the Betun area. Refugees were taken to the Wala border crossing. In this part of West Timor, access to some of the camps is made very difficult because of the rainy season.
One flight repatriated 88 people from Kupang to Dili. But the number of refugees leaving camps in the Kupang area remains low.
As of 15 December, IOM has organized the return by land, sea and air of 69,043 East Timorese from West Timor, from Indonesia and from Australia. So far, more than 120,000 people have returned in an organized or in a spontaneous way to East Timor.
Total returns by land
To date, IOM has returned 28,303 East Timorese by land from West Timor.
Total returns by sea.
To date, IOM has returned 28,792 East Timorese by sea from West Timor and from other parts of Indonesia
Total returns by air
To date, IOM has returned 7,283 East Timorese from Kupang to Dili and 3,908 from other parts of Indonesia.
A total of 757 East Timorese have so far been returned by IOM from Darwin to Dili.
Funding
IOM has made an appeal to the international community for US$25,565,000 for its Timor activities. This includes US$23,250,000 for the return assistance of displaced people to East Timor. So far a total of US$6,678,525 have been pledged by Portugal, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Germany, the Netherlands and ECHO. IOM currently faces a shortfall of US$18,886,481.
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