These organisations are standing ready to assist the people inside East Timor as soon as the security situation allows them to return. In the meantime, some are also assisting displaced people in West Timor.
Executive Director, Janet Hunt, said " We urge people not to try to send goods at this time. When the moment to get back into East Timor comes, there will be urgent priorities of bulk food and medical supplies which aid organisations are getting into place now. Some is already in Darwin, or close by in Indonesia. Other goods - and even time spent dealing with well-meaning offers - will prevent us from responding as effectively as we can. When we do get back in, every hour will count if lives are to be saved."
"We realise that people want to help. We just ask that they recognise that they do so in the way which will be best for the Timorese people. At a time like this aid organisations need to focus all our energies on the most effective methods."
We urge the public to send cash now to any of the following organisations:
Care Australia 1800 020 046
Community Aid Abroad 1800 034 034
Caritas Australia 1800 024 413
APHEDA (Union Aid Abroad) 1300 362 223 (during business hours)
National Council of Churches in Australia 1800 025 101
World Vision Australia 13 32 40
Austcare 1800 244 450
Australian Red Cross 1800 811 700
Australian Baptist World Aid (02) 94511199
Australian Foundation for
Asia and the Pacific (02) 9906 3792
Timor Aid (08) 8948 4458
AFAP/Timor Aid 1800 007 308
Australian Volunteers International (03) 9279 1788
Contact: Janet Hunt Ph (02) 6285 1816 (w); (02) 6281 0252 (h); 0411 868 174 (m)