Aid agencies are asking that the generous Australian spirit of giving to East Timor is founded on lasting gifts.
Aid agencies working in East Timor say that the most useful gifts are:
- Donations of money for water, health, agriculture and other programs that meet basic needs
- School supplies such as stationery and notebooks
- Sports equipment such as bats and balls
- Building block toys like Duplo and Lego.
Children in East Timor do not have a history of playing with soft toys and aid agencies request that no soft toys or teddy bears be given as they pose a hygiene risk given the climate and living conditions in East Timor and they are not culturally appropriate.
"Organisations planning on conducting Christmas appeals must also keep in mind the cost of transportation to East Timor and the fact that no more containers will arrive before Christmas" says Ms Chapman.
Australian aid agencies have so far distributed more than $20 million in donations and gifts in kind from the Australian public.
The following agencies are conducting Christmas Appeals to assist the people of East Timor and are signatories to the ACFOA Code of Conduct which requires high standards of public accountability:
Aust. Volunteers International
1800 331 292
Australian Foundation for the Peoples of Asia and the Pacific 02
9906 3792
Australian Red Cross 1800 811 700
Caritas Australia 1800 024 413
Community Aid Abroad 1800 034 034
Marist Mission Centre 02 9816 3187
World Vision Australian 13 32 40
For further comment: Rhonda Chapman
02 6281 9221
Membership Services Director 0402 318 703
