MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
McMullan
Australia will provide food aid to the most vulnerable people in East Timor to improve food security and support longer-term solutions to civil unrest.
The Australian Government's international aid agency, AusAID, will provide $1 million to the World Food Programme to help meet shortfalls in supplies of rice, beans, oil, sugar, corn and other food staples.
Our assistance will target women and children, support feeding programs in schools and meet ongoing humanitarian needs, particularly for internally displaced people.
The World Food Programme is providing food aid in line with the Government of East Timor's recovery strategy and longer term food security and other socio-economic development priorities.
This includes the continuation of the Ministry of Health's 'Mother Child Health Program' targeting children between six months and two years and pregnant and lactating women.
The United Nations estimates 100,000 East Timorese remain displaced following the political unrest and violence of April and May 2006. An estimated 43 per cent of the Timorese population do not have access to reliable sources of food.
East Timor is also prone to natural disasters, including flooding, which could worsen food supply problems.
This package is in addition to the $16 million in humanitarian assistance Australia has provided to the people of East Timor since mid 2006.
Media Contact: Sabina Curatolo (Mr McMullan's Office) 0400 318 205
AusAID Public Affairs 0417 680 590