Timor-Leste Civil Unrest Situation Report No. 3

Source: United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)

Summary Analysis

* In Viqueque the situation is worrying and accurate information difficult to obtain. According to press reports (ABC-news) citing NGO sources, 600 to 700 houses have been burnt in Viqueque. However a UNMIT press release of last night sets the official figure of burnt houses at 142 for Viqueque and Baucau combined.

* Unconfirmed reports indicate that people displaced because of insecurity and house burnings are moving for shelter in the mountains.

* In Baucau, the violent protests seem to have subsided. All government buildings and schools remain closed.

* In Dili, fewer security incidents have been reported in the last 24 hours, but the overall situation remains volatile.

* A preliminary assessment mission is under way to Viqueque.

Situation

1. The civil unrest occurring in connection with the announcement of the new government on the 6th of August 2007 following the 30th of June parliamentary has subsided in Baucau and Dili, but unconfirmed information reports continued violence in Viqueque.

2. In Viqueque the situation is worrying and accurate information difficult to obtain. Violence is centered in the Watulari sub-district According to press reports (ABC-news) citing NGO sources, 600 to 700 houses have been burnt. However an UNMIT press release last night sets the official figure of burnt houses at 142 in Viqueque and Baucau combined. Many people are being displaced by the security situation and house burnings are reported to be moving for shelter in the mountains, while some IDPs are approaching the ISF base in Viqueque for protection. According to church sources 17 families, a total of 93 persons have taken shelter in primary school in Baucau. Another group of displaced people (18 families, about 100 people) have found shelter in the vicinity of the F-FDTL compound in Viqueque..

3. On Friday, the situation remained relatively calm in Baucau. However all government buildings and schools were closed. One ambush on a convoy of three cars en route to Viqueque caused concern, but details about this incident have yet to be confirmed.

5 In Dili, the situation remained relative calm Friday.

6. A statement made by the head of the army in Timor-Leste underscoring that nobody would tolerate the recent violence, combined with a joint statement form all political parties in Timor-Leste condemning the violence, has calmed down the situation.

7. In a statement UNICEF 10 August in a response to the ongoing unrest in certain parts of Timor-Leste voiced strong condemnation to the destruction and vandalism of schools, learning spaces, and play areas in the recent days. “UNICEF is absolutely concerned that children are once again the ones who suffer,’ said Shui-Meng Ng, UNICEF Representative in Timor-Leste. ‘We urge the adults to consider the future of all their children before they continue their destruction of public properties and create further unrest. Without a safe environment, and without proper classrooms or learning spaces, all your children will be adversely impacted.’

Humanitarian Consequences

8. Humanitarian access to displaced persons is hampered by the current security situation. In Dili, water trucking services have been limited to camps that do not have any alternative water source.

7. Aid organizations are monitoring the situation of humanitarian needs and indications of further displacement. A preliminary assessment mission is under way to Viqueque.

8. OCHA is in close contact with the national and international humanitarian aid organizations, the UN Country Team and UNMIT in Dili and will revert with further information as it becomes available. This situation report, together with further information on ongoing emergencies, is also available on http://www.reliefweb.int.

ENDS

Related:
Timor-Leste Civil Unrest Situation Report No. 1
Timor-Leste Civil Unrest Situation Report No. 2

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