Timor-Leste: Humanitarian update 27 Sep - 10 Oct 2008

The Humanitarian Update (HU) aims at providing a periodic analysis of current humanitarian issues, facts and policy developments in Timor-Leste with primary attention given to internally displaced people (IDPs). The HU is based on voluntary information inputs from UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes, NGO members of the Humanitarian Coordination Committee and other partners. It analyses information from a variety of sector coordination meetings involving Timorese authorities. The HU is coordinated and issued by the OCHA/UNMIT Integrated Humanitarian Coordination Team (IHCT), on a fortnightly basis. Contributions and comments can be sent to the OCHA/UMMIT IHCT in Dili, Focal Points: medhurst@un.org (mobile: +670 736 55 78) and hadin@un.org, (mobile +670 731 16 43).

OF NOTE

- International Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction Day:

8 October marked the International Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction Day. The International theme for this year was 'Hospital Safety'. In Timor-Leste, the theme was adapted as: 'Reduce the Risks, Protecting Health Facilities and the Community, Save Lives'. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO)," The South-East Asia Region has faced some of the world's worst natural disasters including floods, cyclones, earthquakes, tsunamis and other emergencies. The death toll from disasters in the Region was over 500 000 during 1996-2005, which was 58% of global deaths due to disasters." Activities in Timor-Leste relating to the Day are highlighted on page 5.

- Latest IDP movements: During the reporting period, movement out of Hera Port IDP camp continued and movement out of Tibar Turleu IDP camp and Tibar Ismaik Transitional Shelter Site commenced. For further details please see page 3.

- Humanitarian Reform Workshop:

On Wednesday 8 October, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator, DSRSG Finn Reske-Nielsen, invited Government representatives, national and international NGOs, international organisations, donor representatives, as well as UN Agencies, Programmes and Funds to participate in a one-day workshop on the Humanitarian Reform, which key principles are better predictability, accountability and partnership. For further details please see page 5.