Norwegian Refugee Council - Timor Leste - NRC's Country Programme in Timor Leste

Fact Sheet:

NRC's Country Programme in Timor Leste

NRC has been active in Timor Leste since 2006, providing protection and humanitarian assistance to internally displaced persons.

Humanitarian and political context

In 1976, after 460 years of Portuguese colonial rule, Indonesia occupied Timor-Leste and declared it a new Indonesian province. Following the fall of Indonesian president Suharto in 1998, a consultation to let the Timor-Leste population decide on independence was carried out and a vast majority voted for independence. In a violent response the Indonesian army killed approximately 1000-2000 and forced a 1/3 of the population into refugee-camps. In addition to the violence and destruction in general, most of the education facilities were destroyed. UNICEF estimated that 90 % of the schools in the country were destroyed during the violence of 1999. The situation stabilised during a period of UN Transitional Administration. In 2002 Timor-Leste was declared independent. Violence erupted again in April 2006, with more than 6 thousand houses destroyed or damaged and more than 100 000 displaced, seeking refuge in more than 60 makeshift camps in Dili and in the districts. The violence is seen largely as rooted in fragile state institutions, week rule of law and extensive poverty and food insecurity. Timor-Leste is a small country, with a population of a little less than 1 million. The country is endemically poor: 43% of the population has difficulties accessing food, and almost a quarter of the population was in 2008 in need of immediate food assistance. The education sector is also reflecting the same issues as more than half of the population is illiterate. Now all tented camps are closed, with some few IDPs still remaining in transitional shelters. The durability of the return and reintegration of IDPs may still be difficult due continuation of certain resistance in the communities, as well as unresolved land and property conflicts dating back to before the Indonesian occupation.

NRCs priorities and programme implementation

NRC started its programme in Timor-Leste in November 2006, working for the protection of IDPs through engagement in shelter construction, camp management and education. Capacity building through consultation and close cooperation with the Timorese government in planning, implementation and coordination in these policy-areas has been central to the NRC country programmes. Following a planned exit strategy, NRC is in the process of phasing out of Timor-Leste, ending all activities in country by November 2010, after 4 years of humanitarian activities in country.

Transitional Shelter

As the only main actor working on shelter, NRC did systematically address the issue of transitional shelter in Timor Leste, aiming at providing the IDPs with better accommodation, while waiting for durable solutions. NRC did build a total of 596 transitional shelters located in Tibar, Tasi-Tulu, Becora Unital, Becora Market and Hera. The Government itself has built 72 transitional shelters in Quarantina, bringing the total of transitional shelters to 668 units. More than 800 families (or approx. 5.000 people) have occupied transitional shelters since project start in 2006. Due to changes in the government policies, not wanting more transitional shelters to be constructed, NRC ceased this project by the end of April 2009.

Camp Management

From March 2007 until October 2009 NRC was the camp manager of five transitional sites in Dili, facilitating humanitarian assistance to more than 800 families, coordinating the provision by partners on water, sanitation, food distribution, child protection and other activities for the protection of IDPs. As a result of improved security conditions and the payment of in cash “recovery package” for IDPs, tented camps are now closed. The GoTL did address thereafter the situation of the IDPs living in transitional sites, increasing the economical support (“recovery package”), from previously maximum USD 200 until USD 1.500 for those who did not have a house. Until July 2010 more than 95 % of the IDP families living in transitional shelters have moved out. The Camp Management project was planned to phase out by end of June 2009, but with some extra funding from the Timorese government, it was extended until end of October 2009, when it was finally handed over to IOM

School rehabilitation/construction

By July 1^st 2010, in close cooperation with the Timorese government and the support of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), NRC has completed all planned 30 rural schools in the districts of Ermera and Manatuto. In addition to the classrooms, chairs and tables are also being provided by NRC. A swing set is also set up in all 30 schools. All schools are being fitted out with sanitation according to Sphere standards. In 11 villages where there was insufficient water, and in cooperation with the communities, NRC has established over 14 km of pipes of 22 planned kilometers of water pipelines. All remaining WASH works will be done by end of September 2010.

All buildings are property of the local communities, in partnership with national authorities.

Education

The social fabric in the areas affected by violence is weak. Youth have realised that in order to participate meaningfully in their communities, they require increased educational opportunities and access to employment. NRC has reconstructed 5 youth centres in Dili, Gleno and Manatuto, and in these centers, the NRC Youth Education Pack (YEP) provides an opportunity for displaced groups, vulnerable groups and host communities to create a positive image and to regain lost trust. All centers will be handed over to NGO partners by October 1^st 2010. The Timorese government has pledged support to these centers for the remaining of 2010 as also for 2011. A lessons learnt conference for the YEP centers is planned for August 2010. In addition and in cooperation with the Timorese government, in order to reinforce the positive impact of the school reconstruction project, NRC is implementing a on-the-job, five weeks teacher training model in all 30 schools that NRC is rehabilitating, benefiting directly more than 1500 children in rural areas.

Other activities

NRC has rehabilitated a number of buildings at the Bairo Pite health clinic in Dili and also rehabilitated offices for the UNDP and government dialogue teams.