Land Area: 18,900 (Sq/Km)
Capital: Dili
Official Language: Portugese/Tetum
IDPs: 60,000 (UNHCR, 2007)
Literacy: 58.6% (UNDP, 2006. Adult rate, age 15 and older)
Under 5 Mortality Rate (per 1000 live births): 61 (UNICEF, 2005)
Timor-LesteSituation OverviewThe people of Timor-Leste voted for independence in 1999. Extreme violence and bloodshed followed, and nearly three quarters of the population were displaced. Located in one of the poorest regions in the world, Timor-Leste had faced enormous development challenges even before this crisis. It remains the poorest country in Asia. Independence was finally gained in May 2002. Security was established in most of Timor-Leste and the majority of the 250,000 Timorese who fled during 1999 were able to return. In April 2006, violence flared up again among military, police and armed gangs, following demonstrations by former soldiers from the west of the country claiming unfair dismissal. The fighting began outside Dili, but soon spread to the capital and resulted in chaos, bloodshed and the displacement of 150,000 people. Following the June 2007 parliamentary elections and the announcement of the new government, the already fragile security situation deteriorated rapidly, with increases in displaced populations. Although the situation is gradually improving, violence continues to be sporadic and there remains widespread fear amongst the civilian population. |
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Our current work in Timor-LesteAustcare is committed to building partnerships with the Timorese community, key institutions and central and local government authorities, to ensure sustainable reconstruction and development in a potentially fragile post-conflict environment for the Asia-Pacific region’s newest and poorest nation. Austcare’s current work in Timor-Leste aims to increase food security, improve access to education and promote peace building and good governance for displaced people in Dili and the district of Bobonaro. Our ongoing work with rural communities in Bobonaro focuses on poverty alleviation and building the capacities of local government and civil society, in line with the plans of the national government of Timor-Leste. Austcare is currently conducting a baseline assessment of armed violence in Timor-Leste with Geneva-based partner partner, Small Arms Survey. This assessment will will produce a series of reports and briefing papers in English, Portugese, Indonesian and Tetum. The key findings and recommendations from these publications will then be implemented through workshops with Government and international agencies in Timor-Leste, a national forum and public education through radio, television and newspapers and ongoing work with local communities. Following violence in July 2007, Austcare extended its operations in Timor-Leste to provide protection for internally displaced perople in Baucau, Viqueque and Lautem, the worst affected areas. Training of local staff in protection work, conducting needs assessments, providing support to IDPs and assisting with the coordination of delivery of essential services are all part of this commitment. Our Timorese partners include the Department of Education – Bobonaro, Small Arms Survey, HALARE, Maliana Biblioteka, Friends of Maliana (Leichhardt Council), Red Cross, and Cailalo. Highlights- Over 17,000 people, 58% of which were women, participated in peace, reconciliation and human rights training provided by Austcare. - Over 730 households received training in soil fertility and stabilisation, food crop diversification and livestock care. - Two schools rehabilitated - the rebuilding of Ritabou Primary School has enabled 527 students to return to school, and the new roof and restored classrooms of another school in Bobonaro District has enabled a further 250 children to attend school. - 6 Timorese staff, 4 of whom are members of local NGOs, received training in protection and are working to support IDPs in Baucau, Viqueque and Lautem. - Emergency delivery of clothes and school materials to over 3000 IDPs in Watulari, Viqueque district.
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Martina dos Santos
Martina dos Santos is married, and has 5 children. They share a three-bedroom house as part of an extended family of 27 members. “Austcare helped us to get vegetable seeds, tools and to learn some new planting techniques. By growing vegetable we have been able to complement our diet and to sell some for cash for the children’s school fees”, said Martina. Martina is also attending Austcare’s literacy classes. “The literacy classes are very useful. Being able to read and count helps me to tell the figures, to count the coins and to bargain the prices…and I can set a good example for my children to also learn. I want to secure a future for my kids… being active in the project is a new start.” |
