The Australian Council for Overseas Aid (ACFOA), the umbrella organisation for non-government development organisations, while welcoming food drops inside East Timor, says there are grave concerns about the plight of the 150,000 people who were forcibly removed from East Timor, or who fled to West Timor to escape the turmoil across the border.
"Reports coming from West Timor say that conditions in the refugee camps are grim. Camps are overcrowded, shelter is basic, water supply and sanitation facilities are inadequate and food stocks are low. Acute respiratory tract infections and gastro-intestinal diseases are on the rise and there are fears of outbreaks of epidemics," says Executive Director, Janet Hunt.
"Militias who had operated in East Timor are perpetuating terror in West Timor. Accounts from reliable sources say that militias are searching for independence supporters and have been seen taking men and boys from camps. They have disappeared, fate unknown.
"Now the refugees are being asked to indicate to local authorities whether they wish to return to East Timor or become permanent transmigrants in West Timor. In this context, to indicate a wish to return would clearly place refugees at risk.
"There is no safe access to West Timor for international aid workers who have been harrassed and threatened by militias. Local Indonesian government, church and non-government organisations are completely overwhelmed by the huge numbers of people in extreme need.
"The militias are also terrorising local West Timorese residents. They roam the streets, pillage shops and market stores. Local NGOs and church groups hold grave concerns that serious violence may break out in West Timor.
"The safe return of IDPs wishing to return to East Timor should happen as soon as East Timor is secure, and must be under international supervision."
The aid organisations in Darwin speaking out on their concerns today are:
CARE Australia 0417 276 832 0419 438 550
Caritas Australia 0413 701 001
Community Aid Abroad/Oxfam in Australia 0419 563 768 (08) 8941 8572
Timor Aid/Australian Foundation for the Peoples of Asia and the Pacific (08) 8948 4458
World Vision Australia 0413 701 019
