Subject: LUSA: UN agency seeks US$5 million in urgent humanitarian aid

09-06-2006 11:21:00. Fonte LUSA. Notícia SIR-8066620 Temas:

East Timor: UN agency seeks US$5 million in urgent humanitarian aid

Dili, June 9 (Lusa) - The UN High Commission for Refugees issued an urgent international appeal Friday for US$4.8 million in humanitarian aid for East Timor.

In a communiqué, the Geneva-headquartered UNHCR lamented "the slow" international response so far for aid to some 130,000 people displaced by weeks of violence in the Timorese capital.

The UN agency, led by former Portuguese Prime Minister António Guterres, said it had so far received US$471,000 from the Canberra and private Australian donors and euros 50,000 from the German government.

Indonesia said it was sending two planeloads, primarily of food and water worth US$700,000, to Dili Friday in response to a request from Timorese President Xanana Gusmão.

Timorese and UNHCR officials have estimated that around 130,000 Dili residents have been displaced by the weeks of violence, with up to 80,000 taking shelter in improvised camps in and around the capital.

The officials have warned of the risk of cholera breaking out in the makeshift camps and urged international peacekeepers to provide security amid reports of increasing tensions in the camps.

Earlier this week, the UNHCR provided a first aid shipment of tents, plastic sheeting, blankets and other basic goods.

SAS/ASP.

Lusa

Copyright © 2003 Agencia Lusa. Todos os direitos reservados. www.lusa.pt


Back to June menu
May menu      
World Leaders Contact List
Main Postings Menu