MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
Australia will provide an additional $2 million to meet the urgent needs of an estimated 90,000 people who have fled their homes following the outbreak of violence in East Timor.
Australia will send up to $1 million in urgently needed food, water, shelter and medical supplies from around Australia to East Timor.
A further $1 million will be made available to UNICEF and other international agencies to assist their efforts in providing for the thousands who are displaced across East Timor.
Australia, through its international aid agency, AusAID has already committed $1 million to non government agencies on the ground in Dili and sent urgently needed medical equipment and blood supplies to Dili Hospital over the weekend.
The funding follows the substantial commitment of Australian Defence Force and Australian Federal Police personnel and brings the aid program's commitment to more than $3 million.
Australia will continue to monitor the situation in East Timor closely and stands ready to assist as required.
Media contact:
Tony Parkinson (Minister's Office) 0409 536 410
AusAID (Public Affairs) 0417 680 590