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Reported by Hendro Suwito, World Vision Indonesia Communications: September 28, 1999

ATAMBUA, West Timor--World Vision, responding to information that 80 percent of East Timorese children suffer moderate malnutrition, has begun health intervention and food distribution programs along the West and East Timor border.

The condition of refugees at several camps is very serious. According to Dr. Theresia Marina Ela, lead health official for World Vision Indonesia in the Atambua area, many people, mostly children, are affected malnutrition and related diseases such as diarrhea, pneumonia, malaria, rheumatism and scabies. “One child has died already and the number is expected to soar,” says Ela.

Supplies of food are limited and have reached only a few camps in the Atambua area, 185 miles east of Kupang, capital city of West Timor.

“Most refugees in remote areas have not received any assistance at all. Their condition is very critical,” says Esther Manurung, World Vision relief worker. Most of the families live in makeshift plastic tents that provide little protection from the scorching sun and strong winds. The barren soil is dusty and water is scarce as Timor Island enters the peak of the dry season. Sanitation is very poor and human waste is scattered around the many camps.

Public works officials admit they did not prepare for such an explosion of refugees along the border. Having prepared for 25,000 refugees, 100,000 have overwhelmed available resources. Attempts to rush the construction of wooden barracks to accommodate the refugees have been frustrated as waves of refugees from East Timor continue to arrive in the Atambua area.

World Vision has installed 14 water tanks at several camps and is installing more of higher capacity. Plans are to dig 20 wells to provide clean water for the refugees. Several already being dug are expected to strike water soon.

A truck rented by World Vision from Sumba Island has started delivering water to refugee camps in Atambua and Atapupu areas.

So far World Vision has provided health assistance and distributed food, family kits and tents to more than 1,700 people in the Atambua area. Additional food and supplies are being transported from West Timor to Atambua for distribution to towns just now being reached by relief organizations.