East Timor: Rice rations for internal refugees cut off

The refugee camps were first set up after 150,000 people fled their homes as violence erupted in 2006. Two years later, 100,000 peopleone-tenth of the entire populationremain classified as internally displaced people (IDPs). About 30,000 refugees live in camps in and outside of Dili, with the remaining 70,000 forced to take refuge with friends and family.

Conditions in the camps are appalling. A report released by the European-based International Crisis Group (ICG) on March 31, titled Timor-Lestes Displacement Crisis, revealed some aspects of the situation.

The ICG stated: The UN reports that the displacements have been accompanied by increased incidence of respiratory diseases, malaria, diarrhoea and malnutritionthough the latter is ameliorated in the camps by the food distribution program. During the rains, some camps flood, while in others toilet blocks leak or overflow.... No action has been taken over camps identified in May and July 2007 studies as high priorities to be closed on the grounds of poor sanitation. The camps are a particularly problematic environment for women and children. The overcrowded tents and toilet block provide little privacy. Children are exposed to risks related to inadequate shelter and living conditions. Children, women, the elderly and other vulnerable groups are all at higher risk of exploitations for various forms of abusecases of prostitution and forced human trafficking have been reported.