Past Emergency appeals

When 600 soldiers from the west of the country were sacked in March 2006, simmering racial tensions erupted into many weeks of violence over April & May. At least 20 people died, and around 130,000 people were forced from their homes in fear.

Makeshift camps for the displaced sprung up around schools, convents, and public areas. Despite the rapid deployment of an international peacekeeping force to the streets of Dili, gangs of armed youths terrorised families of the tiny nation’s capital for weeks. World Vision responded by immediately mobilising its staff to provide support for over 40,000 of those displaced. Food, shelter, and medical care were among the services offered by World Vision staff.

Now that security has improved in the fledgling nation, the focus of World Vision’s activities is on longer-term food security, livelihoods, child protection, and peace-building activities.

Thanks to the generous support by Australians for East Timor through the East Timor Crisis Appeal, the 2006 40 Hour Famine and through Better Futures, World Vision is able to continue to work with the people of East Timor.

Last Updated: Friday, 22nd September 2006.