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Programmes and Operations
Present Programmes |
Timor-Leste / East Timor
Country Overview
Contact:
Marilou Suplido,
Program Manager
East Timor became the newest nation of the 21st century on 20
May 2002. The country is now known as Timor Leste.
Since September 1999, the people of Timor Leste/East Timor have
been recovering from the devastating destruction and displacement
of nearly the whole population, which followed the referendum
in which the people voted for independence.
The people have rebuilt their lives and country, and the process
continues, with assistance from the United Nations, international
non-governmental organizations (INGOS), local non-governmental
organizations (NGOs), business enterprises, and contributions
from the World Bank.
The 200,000 East Timorese refugees who returned from Indonesia
joined their fellow countrymen and women in the rebuilding process.
A major continuing concern is the 100,000 refugees who remain
in camps in neighboring West Timor. Many of these people have
not returned because they are being held by militia leaders who,
through violence and intimidation, influence and dominate the
lives of all camp residents. Rumors also exist in West Timor that
the situation in Timor Leste is unsafe.
In October 1999, the United Nations formed a transitional government
in East Timor and later established a Transitional Administration.
Together, these two bodies constructed the institutions of a new
government in preparation for independence. The presence of UN
peacekeepers in the country as it prepared for its first elections
meant that international expertise was available to support the
Timorese as they conducted civic education programs and established
new systems for all aspects of government.
In August 2001, East Timor voted for the members of the first
Constitutional Assembly, who then prepared the first constitution
for East Timor. Presidential elections took place on 14 April
2002. Mr. Karl Xanana Gusmao was sworn in as the first President
of Timor Leste on 20 May 2002.
ICMC in Timor Leste / East Timor
Background
ICMC made a significant contribution to the initial protection
and return of East Timorese refugees from West Timor and other
parts of Indonesia in October and November 1999. As the people
returned to their districts and many UN agencies assisted with
a program to provide shelter, ICMC monitored the impact of the
trauma and social dislocation following the events of September
1999.
As a result ICMC began a series of programs in the following areas:
- Capacity building through cooperation with non-governmental
organizations (NGOs) and church partners to train women as community
facilitators who would then conduct community focused trauma
education and recovery workshops. ICMC has now completed this
program.
- Training tolerance and peace building trainers to strengthen
the capacity of the people of Timor Leste, especially women,
to assist communities of return rebuild their relationships
and lives in peace and active tolerance. ICMC has now completed
this program.
- Support for survivors of torture at a personal, community
and institutional level. This was, and continues to be done
through the development of a network of organizations and community
specialists, with small grants for NGO's who address the needs
of the victims of torture.
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