Dili, East Timor

New arrivals continue to enter Dili. Streets, particularly in the port area, are crowded. Although reconstruction on a large-scale has not yet begun, people are repairing homes and some clean-up, arranged primarily by INTERFET, is underway. Trading is increasing with new street markets opening throughout the city. The number of commodities on sale remains limited, however, mostly confined to certain vegetables and basic items including salt, sugar and some tinned fish. Traders report that almost no supplies are reaching Dili from West Timor. Although small amounts of local fresh produce can be purchased, the majority of items on sale are left over from pre-referendum stocks.

INTERFET continues to expand its areas of control in the western sector as more coalition forces arrive in East Timor. Reports indicate that displaced persons still living in the hills will return to their homes as soon as INTERFET forces establish a local presence. It is expected that the demand for humanitarian assistance will increase markedly as a result. In anticipation that populations will shortly begin returning to their homes, agencies are currently building up stocks and developing operational plans for launching programmes throughout the country.

Liquica: An inter-agency team conducted a follow-up assessment in Liquica, 36 kilometres west of Dili. MSF, which held a mobile clinic for 50 patients, reported a high incidence of tuberculosis. Several cases of moderate malnutrition were also reported as well as one case of severe malnutrition. The assessment team confirmed that the beach is suitable for off-landing cargo and that several appropriate buildings for offices and warehousing are available. Displaced persons are expected to return to the town as soon as a security presence is established. The team recommends that humanitarian agencies establish operational bases in the town as soon as possible.

Manatuto: An inter-agency team, including technical experts from the Northern Territory Government, conducted a follow-up assessment in Manatuto, 66 kilometres east of Dili. The town still does not have water, electricity and only a few supplies. The assessment team has identified shelter as a top priority and estimates that 400 - 500 residential buildings require urgent reconstruction. The local church has distributed some food. AMI is already operational with three mobile clinics currently functioning, one in the town and two at near-by locations. WFP has identified a warehouse and office and is expected to be operational in the near future. Food stocks will be pre-positioned early next week. As soon as a security presence is established, 6,000 - 7,000 people are expected to return. Several thousand additional residents are reported to be in West Timor.

OCHA has developed a general rapid assessment form for completion by each assessment team. FAO and WFP are finalising specialist questionnaires covering food security. All teams conducting assessments will be asked to complete the surveys. Some of the data from the surveys will be input into the expanded SUMA database being developed by the WHO team. The aim of the database will be to track requests for and deliveries of humanitarian assistance to locations throughout East Timor.

The security threat in the eastern sector remains low although the threat in the west and Dili is high. Militias have been seen at several locations in the city, mainly in areas where TNI are stationed. On 11 October, INTERFET forces will assume full control over the electrical power stations. The Ghurkha unit continues to provide security for the UNHOC compound although the two checkpoints on the road outside the entrance were dismantled yesterday. UNAMET arranged today for local guards, under international supervision, to patrol the compound entrance 24 hours.

Deliveries and Distributions: Non-food emergency items were provided today at two sites in Becora to people registered during this week's rice distribution. The non-food distribution will continue on Tuesday at the Cathedral and Balide church before concluding on Wednesday at two final sites. Three WFP relief flights arrived in East Timor today including two cargo airlifts to Baucau and a flight to Dili carrying both passengers and humanitarian assistance. World Vision despatched more than 16 MTs of food at various sites.

More than 130 nurses and midwives have been registered by the Dili Nursing School and are available for immediate deployment. Many of the nurses will be involved in the planned measles vaccination campaign, scheduled for next week. Health agencies and facilities requiring nursing staff are encouraged to contact the Nursing School.

During the second day of the voluntary return programme, 195 East Timorese were flown on UNHCR-chartered aircraft from Kupang to Dili. Two more flights are expected to arrive in Dili tomorrow. During a meeting today in Kupang with the Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr. Ross Mountain, the State Minister responsible for coordinating welfare, Dr. Haryono Suyono, confirmed that access to displaced populations in West Timor was improving. The Minister also confirmed that there is no need to continue with the registration process and that he expects the voluntary return programme to expand in the near future. The Minister indicated that the first phase of the programme involving return by plane will be shortly followed by larger-scale movements using vessels and road vehicles. Indonesian efforts to expand access to the camps, including those in the Atambua area, are expected to show results in coming days.

The Humanitarian Coordinator remained in Kupang today. He will proceed to Jakarta tomorrow where he will meet with Government officials, donors, UN Agencies and NGOs.

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