Timor Aid West Project

Current Situation

An ABC News report on Friday 28 April 2000 said that there were still up to 100,000 East Timorese refugees in West Timor camps. In many ways these have become the "forgotten refugees" as most foreign aid is going into East Timor. Another recent report has indicated that as many as 3 children die every day in just one of the West Timor camps due to malaria, malnutrition and sanitation issues.

Current Support

Captain Paul McArthy of the Australian Light Horse Cadets for Overseas Community Aid (ALHCFOCA) is currently heading up a team administering aid to the West Timor camps. Captain McArthy is the senior medical officer overseeing 6 West Timor camps and is responsible for 1485 families. Food, clothing and medical supplies are trickling in from a few groups and are being co-ordinated by Mr Richard Stapleton, a Welfare Officer with the Australian Institute of Welfare and Community Workers Inc.

Required Support

The major items required to deal with the current crisis are food, clothing and medical supplies. Mr Richard Stapleton is able to arrange for empty boxes, along with a list of required items, to be delivered to organisations in most areas. It is suggested that individuals then take the boxes, fill them and return them to the drop point. Mr Stapleton can then arrange for full boxes to be collected, added to a container and shipped direct to Kupang, West Timor.

As this project has no Government financial aid (Australian or Indonesian) or major Aid organisation behind it, it relies upon concerned members of Australian communities to contribute. Donations toward shipping costs are also required and will be used 100% for shipping costs. No administration costs come from donations, but come from personal funds of volunteers.

Secondary Support

To ensure that this crisis is not long-term it is important that infrastructure be rebuilt enabling the East Timorese refugees to return to their homes in safety. Any contributions toward aid agencies involved in rebuilding either East or West Timor will help to shorten the crisis conditions currently facing these people.

School supplies are also required to enable children to return to some level of routine. Exercise books and pencils are particularly need. These can be added to boxes taken for food and medical supplies, or could be supplied with clothing so that at least the children have one change of clothes each.

Business Support

If you, or any business you know, would be able to supply any required items please make contact one of the people below. Your support will make a difference!

(Drinking water currently available)

				Contact Details

			 	Captain Paul McCarthy or Lisa Smith

				ALHCFOCA

				PO Box 64

		 		Woodridge Qld 4114

		 		PH: 07 3830 5647

		 		MOB: 0415 696 720

For More Information Email Us

Acknowledgments