UN News Service

Timor-Leste: UN and partners appeal for $33.5 million for recovery efforts

31 March 2008 – The United Nations and
non-governmental organizations working in
Timor-Leste are seeking $33.5 million to help the
country’s most vulnerable, including internally
displaced persons (IDPs) and those most at risk from natural disasters.

Finn Reske-Nielsen, the UN’s Humanitarian
Coordinator for Timor-Leste, said that funds
raised will complement those already committed by
the Government toward projects outlined in the
Transitional Strategy and Appeal.

“The Government of Timor-Leste has committed $15
million in 2008 to address IDP issues,” said Mr.
Reske-Nielsen. “These financial resources
constitute a significant and increased commitment
of the Government towards these issues. However,
further donor support to the Government’s efforts
will be valuable to help meet its shortfall.”

The funds will support some 67 projects in three
strategic areas: continued emergency assistance
in IDP camps, supporting the Government’s
National Recovery Strategy and strengthening the
country’s ability to manage risk and impact from natural disasters.

While humanitarian assistance in the IDP camps
continues to be critical, the primary focus of
the Government and its partners this year is
early recovery initiatives that will facilitate
the return and/or resettlement of those that have been displaced.

Mr. Reske-Nielsen said that ongoing humanitarian
problems that stem from the crisis that erupted
in 2006 are complex and multi-dimensional with
social, economic and political roots.

The 2006 crisis, attributed in part to
differences between Timor-Leste’s eastern and
western regions, began in April with the firing
of 600 striking soldiers, a third of the overall armed forces.

Ensuing violence claimed at least 37 lives and
drive 155,000 people, or about 15 per cent of the
total population, from their homes. The Security
Council created the UN Integrated Mission in
Timor-Leste (UNMIT) in August that year to help restore stability.

“There is no simple or short-term solution, and
the experience of national and international
organisations along with the Government shows
that continued support to ongoing humanitarian
response and recovery efforts is vital to
reaching a sustainable resolution to the crisis,” Mr. Reske-Nielsen stated