MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
On 9 March I instructed AusAID officials to undertake a mission to East Timor and to report urgently to me on the food and medical situation.
The AusAID mission has spent the past week in East Timor and has met with a broad spectrum of organisations including representatives of church groups, government agencies, international humanitarian organisations, non-government agencies and the private sector.
I wish to stress that the AusAID assessment mission concluded that there is no immediate large scale humanitarian crisis in East Timor. At present, overall stocks of both food and medicines are considered adequate although there are localised shortages in some areas as a result of transport and distribution difficulties which are compounded by security concerns.
The recent events in East Timor have led to an increase in the number of internally displaced persons. It is estimated that there are approximately 5,000 internally displaced people in East Timor, many of whom are being cared for by church groups.
Australia will provide humanitarian assistance to ensure that the basic needs of these displaced persons are met. This assistance will include the provision of food, shelter and other basic necessities.
The assessment mission also found that a shortage of professional medical staff in East Timor is putting the health system under severe pressure. While Australia has indicated we are willing to help augment the existing health systems through the deployment of a surgical team, we have consulted the Government of Indonesia on this matter which has indicated that it is prepared to meet the demand for doctors.
We are prepared to provide food, medicines and medical personnel at short notice should they be required.
The Australian Government will monitor closely the need for additional humanitarian assistance in East Timor over the coming months.
Copies of the Report prepared by the AusAID Mission are also available in a variety of formats.
Media contacts:
Innes Willox (Minister's Office) 02 62777500 or 0419 206 890
Matt Francis (AusAID) 02 62064960 or 0417 683 126