Australia has provided $8 million to meet the urgent needs of an estimated 150,000 people who have fled their homes following the outbreak of violence in East Timor.
Australia, through its international aid agency, AusAID has committed $7.63 million to support the work of the United Nations World Food Programme, UNICEF, UNDP, ILO, CARE Australia, the Australian Red Cross, Oxfam, World Vision, Plan International, CARITAS and AUSTCARE.
Unloading Australian rice, Dili
This support is ensuring crucial water and food supplies are distributed to those who have been forced to flee their homes in around Dili. It is also supporting work on reducing tensions through improved communications via radios and newspaper in the IDP camps, work on peace building and reconciliation programs and a labour-intensive work scheme.
Australia has also contributed $250,000 to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) which is managing the situation on the ground.
And $120,000 has been provided towards more urgently needed medical supplies for Dili Hospital. AusAID previously sent blood and medical equipment to the hospital while the Australian Defence Force delivered AusAID's supplies of water containers, tarpaulins, blankets, tents and water purification tablets.
How you can help
For more information on how you can help see the Australian Council for International Development's website [external website].
Media releases
- Australia sends urgent supplies to East Timor [29 May 2006]
- Australia offers Initial Humanitarian Assistance to Strife-Torn East Timor [26 May 2006]
2 July 2006
