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An estimated 20,000 internally displaced and other vulnerable East Timorese people will benefit from the Australian Government's commitment of a further $2 million in humanitarian assistance.
The funds will be used to fight infectious diseases and provide food for people displaced by last year's civil unrest.
Up to $1 million will be provided to Oxfam to improve water and sanitation facilities to reduce the incidence of water related diseases such as malaria and dengue fever.
This service is especially important in the current wet season, which heightens the potential for outbreaks of water related diseases.
Oxfam will work closely with the Government of East Timor to ensure the assistance is targeted to areas of greatest need.
The World Food Programme (WFP) will also receive $1 million to ease immediate and acute food shortages during East Timor's hungry season (November to February).
Vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, lactating mothers and underweight children will be the major beneficiaries of our assistance, to be delivered across five districts through the Government of East Timor's nutritional program.
This brings Australia's total humanitarian assistance to East Timor since the 2006 crisis to $10 million.
Australia will continue to support the Government of East Timor to meet the needs of those most vulnerable.
Media contacts:
AusAID Public Affairs 0417 680 590
Tony Parkinson (Mr Downer's Office) 02 6277 7500