Security:
In East Timor the security situation
has been dominated by the increase of reports of militia activity in the
border districts of Sector West and also in Sector Central. The PKF threat
assessment remains unchanged: medium for Bobonaro, CovaLima, Ermera and
Oecussi, and low for all other regions. However, it has been observed that
the various actors involved in security in East Timor have different appreciations
of the current situation, which emphasises the need for regular coordination
and sharing of information. Communication with the local population would
also need to be improved. Limited spontaneous movements of population have
been reported in Manufahi and Ainaro, provoked by militia groups spotted
by locals, as well as by the absence of international actors in these areas.
UNTAET regional offices are emphasising the need for a greater visibility
of PKF and CIVPOL to reassure the communities. Emergency assistance has
been provided to the displaced persons. Increased roadblocks have been
installed on the main roads and more regular searches are being conducted.
Some isolated areas have suffered from a reduction of humanitarian assistance
deliveries. However, no major disruption has been noted.
In West Timor, the main concern of humanitarian agencies remains the high level of threats and direct attacks against international and local staff involved in the camps. There has been serious indication this week that TNI would not intervene to assist during troubles. Tensions culminated on the 23rd when an UNHCR team providing humanitarian assistance in the Naen camp near Kefamenanu was attacked in a well-planned operation.
Returns:
IOM reported 35 secondary movements from Dili Transit Centre to Baucau, Lautem and Viqueque. UNHCR and IOM have suspended the organised repatriation movements from West Timor until 5 September, after the 31 August (popular consultation in East Timor) and 4 September (announcement of the results) anniversaries. On the 24th, UNHCR have decided to suspend their remaining activities in West Timor as a consequence of the incident at Naen camp.
A delegation from the Indonesian Government met with SRSG Sergio Vieira de Mello in Dili on the 23rd to discuss the option of closing down the camps within the next six months. The SRSG insisted on the necessity to separate militia members and criminal elements from the remaining refugee population. The Indonesian delegation also presented a repatriation plan. Discussions concerning the closure of the camps are continuing in West Timor between UN agencies and Indonesian authorities. The camps at border areas would be the first priority and resettlement would take place on a voluntary basis.
Shelter:
The shelter kits distributed by UNHCR's implementing partners as of 21st August totalled 16,986, of which 11,252 had been constructed. There seems to be some improvement to the supply situation since UNHCR's team visited Surabaya last week. In particular, two shipments of 1000 bundle kits each are expected to arrive in Dili early September. The allocation of these kits to the different implementing partners is under discussion. The re-evaluation of the shelter situation at district level has shown that the original lists of beneficiaries under-estimated the needs. However, the UNHCR contingency plan is limited and other solutions should be sought.
Health:
WHO reported an increase in the number of consultations (9,273 over the last week), as well as a limited increase in the number of malaria and a large increase of upper respiratory tract infections. The reports of malnutrition and starvation communicated from a subdistrict in Ermera could not be confirmed by the WHO investigation team. Training and awareness programmes concerning the measurement and treatment of malnutrition are being developed by NGOs in several districts.
WATSAN:
Transition is ongoing between UNTAET's Office for Water and Sanitation and the NGOs running the water systems and providing maintenance at district level. According to the OWS only 5 civil servants would be hired per district after September. More than 100 UNVs will be dispatched in the districts to ensure a smooth transition. No ration plan has been implemented so far. However, given the forecasted limitation of staff, some concern is being raised with regard to the water situation in rural areas that are likely to receive less attention. NGOs have emphasised that additional investment in water system material should include a budget for the training of community groups and the maintenance. In Dili district, a third of the out-standing water connections have now been completed. New applications for water connections are not being processed for the moment.
Food:
WFP has resumed normal pre-positioning operations after a period of irregularity due to the security situation. Distribution from Dili includes Aileu (68MT), Ermera (68MT), Liquica (41MT), Maliana (75MT) and Ainaro (6.3MT). 17MT of maize have been sent by barge to Oecussi. In Viqueque WFP has been requested to assist some communities within the returnee population who presented symptoms of malnutrition; the returnees have been included in the Vulnerable Group Feeding plan.
German Agro Action has received 40MT of sugar and 100MT of oil in Suai that will be distributed within the coming weeks.
Food for Work: in Aileu, World Vision, CEP and the District Administrator are relying on community councils (conselhos de postos) for selecting Food for Work projects. Limited USAID materials are available for allocation to Food for Work- funded interventions.
Projects:
Technical and financial aspects of the QIPs projects continue to be reviewed. The QIP Evaluation Team has completed the survey of 12 out of the 13 districts and has reported variable results in the implementation of QIPs. No indication has yet been given with regard to the continuity of QIPs initiatives through the end of the year. On the other hand, the combination of QIPs and Temporary Employment Programs seems to have given good results. USAID-funded projects will reach an end on 31st August and coordination with UNTAET staff has been tightened over the past few weeks for monitoring purposes. Most TEP initiatives have fallen into the sectors of reconstruction and infrastructure. The total amount spent under TEP salaries and material has been approximately US$ 4 million and more than 42,000 people have been employed on a rotation basis.
A post-TEP community-oriented program is currently being drafted, with somewhat different characteristics. One objective of the new program would be to complement local social services, set up income-generating initiatives and micro-enterprises. Emphasis would be placed on sustainability and a larger material procurement would be associated. USAID is currently identifying a wide range of local partners.
Infrastructure and transportation:
The Asian Development Bank's contractors have been told to interrupt the road repairs in Sector West due to security concern; the induced delays are regrettable since there are strong indicators that a large part of the road network will not be effective comes the rain season.
Some progress has been noted with regard to the isolation of the Ambeno enclave. The first commercial ship from West Timor arrived last week. The boat brought building material to the enclave as part of a rehabilitation project from the Church. Furthermore, an East Timorese commercial company running from Dili to the enclave has begun to transport passengers in addition to its cargo. More generally, Oecussi has seen a certain increase of movements of good and persons over the last few weeks, a tendency that has highlighted the necessity to reinforce border controls.
Education and school rehabilitation:
By next week the World Bank should be able to place order for timber and cement in order to launch the practical phase of the Emergency School Readiness Project (ESRP). At this stage, it remains impossible to forecast when effective repairs would start at district level. In the meantime, ad-hoc arrangements have been made between the World Bank and some NGOs regarding the provision of school furniture. The original plan of the Emergency School Readiness Program was based on the purchase of plastic tables and chairs from the Philippines, an option that did not foresee the input of local carpentry capacities. Compromises have been reached so that this aspect of school rehabilitation can be partially delegated a local level previous to the effective building reconstruction. In Aileu, the local carpentry capacities could provide 40% of the furniture for the 40 primary schools. In Oecussi and Suai respectively, German Agro Action is supplying materials and tools for two production projects of 1,200 sets each (double desks and benchers, chairs). Salaries for the carpenters are covered by TEPs until the end of August and will then be supported by the INGO. This initiative will provide employment for some 40 carpenters and trainers. Similar projects could be implemented in other district such as Manatuto and Liquica.
UNICEF School re-roofing project has been given a boost with the recent arrival of more than 250 cubic meters of material; another 1100 cubic meters are expected to reach Dili at the end of the month. So far, 233MT have been dispatched to Aileu, Ainaro, Bobonaro, Ermera, Lautem, Liquica and Manufahi, with logistical support from WFP, IOM, UNHCR and PKF. UNICEF has received additional engineering staff and is currently identifying more implementing partners to conduct the repairs, such as USGET that is currently conducting a school survey in Manatuto.
NGO Coordination:
For several weeks now the humanitarian pillar has been transferring the activities of the NGO Information Centre to the East Timor NGO Forum. During this period, HAER is continuing to provide both material assistance and support through advice, capacity building of Forum staff and mentoring of the Executive Director. In developing further its goals and objectives the NGO Forum held a 2-day strategic planning workshop on August 17-18, opened by the SRSG, who stressed the value in developing guidelines and standards for all NGOs and the Forum's key role in the developing of a civil society. The Deputy SRSG for Humanitarian Assistance noted the necessity to promote the principles of accountability, transparency and good practice for non-governmental organisations delivering emergency and development assistance in East Timor. More than 50 participants made recommendations for the future of the Forum.