28 September 1999
Text: FAO's Special Alert on East Timor
(U.N agency, fragile security worsens food shortage in Timor) (1040)
Ongoing violence in East Timor is hampering humanitarian and food
distribution operations and exacerbating the food shortage and health
problems among thousands of refugees and displaced people, the United
Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said in a special news
alert on East Timor September 28.
The Rome-based U.N. food agency said that although the multinational
peacekeeping force has brought "uneasy calm" in Dili, the capital, the
security situation in the rest of East Timor remains "highly
dangerous," impeding U.N. relief efforts.
The situation is becoming "increasingly critical," the FAO said.
"The extreme shortage of food has meant that a number of Government
food stores have been rampaged by desperate and hungry people, with
over 8,000 tonnes of food looted so far," the FAO said. Severe food
shortage has a sharp impact on refugees' health, with diarrhea,
respiratory infections, and malaria being the top concerns, according
to the FAO.
The FAO added that the outlook for agriculture and food production in
East Timor is bleak because of the widespread destruction of farmlands
by pro-Indonesia militias.
It is estimated that 400,000 people remain displaced in East and West
Timor, many of whom are "scavenging" for food, the FAO said. The FAO
also estimates that 80 percent of East Timor's 900,000 people will
need food assistance.
Following is the text of the FAO alert:
(begin text)
FAO's GLOBAL INFORMATION AND EARLY WARNING SYSTEM ON FOOD AND
AGRICULTURE
SPECIAL NEWS ALERT ON EAST TIMOR
FRAGILE SECURITY SITUATION IMPEDES URGENTLY NEEDED HUMANITARIAN AND
FOOD DISTRIBUTION OPERATIONS IN EAST TIMOR
Rome September 28 -- Since the FAO Special Alert on East Timor earlier
this month, the deployment of United Nations peace enforcement forces
has brought uneasy calm to Dili, the capital, but the overall security
situation remains highly volatile, with sporadic killings and armed
infringements continuing. Although, the multinational force is gaining
more access, the situation outside Dili still remains highly
dangerous, hampering urgently needed humanitarian operations. The full
extent of earlier massacres and destruction still remains unclear, but
there is growing evidence that large numbers of people were killed and
hundreds of thousands displaced from homes. Currently it is estimated
that 400 000 people remain hidden in mountain areas or are housed in
make-shift camps in East and West Timor. The majority of the
displaced, up to 60 percent, are from rural areas. The plight and food
security of these people, especially the old and children in hostile
areas, gives grave cause for concern. Many are said to be living in
fear and scavenging for food, whilst there is desperate need for
drinking water as the height of the dry season approaches.
The food situation is becoming increasingly critical. The extreme
shortage of food has meant that a number of Government food stores
have been rampaged by desperate and hungry people, with over 8 000
tonnes of food looted so far. The World Food Programme (WFP), the UN
High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), ICRC and several other
humanitarian organisations, are making concerted efforts to provide
food and relief assistance, but are being impeded by logistical and
security hazards.
It is provisionally estimated that as many as 80 percent of the
population of some 900 000 people, will need food assistance for an
indeterminate period, once the security and transport situation
allows. To date some 130 tonnes of food aid and blankets have been air
dropped by WFP to areas considered most at risk of shortages. Various
pledges for international food and humanitarian assistance have
already been made, which will be channeled through the UN, bilateral
agencies and NGOs. A WFP emergency operation for 4 488 tons of food
aid for 150 000 displaced people for two months was approved on 15
September. It is understood that the ICRC also recently delivered a
shipment of food for 100 000 people to Dili.
In West Timor, an estimated 215 000 displaced East Timorese, some
deported forcibly, are under serious threat from renewed violence by
the militia. Of these there are an estimated 42 000 children under
five and 6 000 pregnant women who are at particular risk of poor
living conditions. There are also fears that many of the 31 refugee
camps in West Timor are controlled by the militia, who are reported to
be seeking reprisals. The main camps at Atambua, Kupang, Belu and
Timor Tengah Utara are also grossly overpopulated and lack vital
supplies of food, medicine and water. At present the food situation in
West Timor is not considered as desperate as that in East Timor.
However, if the security situation worsens and humanitarian operations
are delayed, the situation could deteriorate rapidly.
The affects of severe food shortages have been exacerbated by mounting
health problems, with diarrhea, respiratory infections and malaria
being the principal concerns. There are fears that many health
problems could result in chronic illnesses as the health sector has
been crippled by the devastation and large numbers of doctors and
health works have left.
The short term outlook for agriculture and food production in East
Timor is bleak, due to the scale of destruction and civil disruption.
Many farmers have had to abandon farms and, together with traders,
have lost vital stocks of seeds and fertilizer. At this time of year,
land preparation should normally be underway for the main planting
season to commence in the next few weeks to coincide with rains from
the north East monsoon. The scale of the crisis, however, almost
certainly means that this will not be possible, which will compound
food shortages over the next year. In addition to food, therefore,
once the situation allows there will also be urgent need for
rehabilitation assistance with seeds, fertilizers and tools.
A UN interagency mission, including FAO, is currently visiting East
and West Timor to undertake a multi-sectoral assessment of
humanitarian needs and formulate a flash UN appeal to address the most
urgent needs. In addition, a fuller FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply
Assessment Mission is to be fielded as soon as the security situation
permits.
For further information, please contact: John Riddle Media Officer
Tel. (39) 06 5705-3259 E-mail: john.riddle@fao.org Please note that
this Special Report will be available on the Internet shortly as part
of the FAO World Wide Web at the following URL address:
http://www.fao.org/giews/ .
(end text)
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