MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
Australia will provide an additional $1 million to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to distribute urgently needed food to the 100,000 people who have fled their homes in East Timor.
The funding, through Australia's international aid agency, AusAID, brings the Australian Government's emergency relief commitment to East Timor to $4 million.
The WFP will use this contribution to provide high-nutrition foods to displaced people to complement rice distributions.
Since the outbreak of civil unrest in Dili last month, Australia has also provided funds to support the work of UNICEF, CARE Australia, the Australian Red Cross, Oxfam, World Vision and Plan International to ensure crucial water and food supplies are being distributed to tens of thousands of people in need on a daily basis.
Australia is also funding efforts to improve the sanitation situation, while the Australian Defence Force has delivered AusAID's supplies of water containers, tarpaulins, blankets, tents, and water purification tablets.
The Australian Government is working with the Government of East Timor, United Nations agencies, and non-government organisations in a coordinated effort to meet the immediate needs of displaced people.
Media inquiries:
Tony Parkinson (Minister's Office) 0409 536 410
AusAID (Public Affairs) 0417 680 590; Bronwyn Coles in Dili 0418 216844