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 campconditions." 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 at IOM Dili. Tel.+670 723 1576. Email: asherwood@iom.int