The rest of the world has now reacted. In September, an Australian-led peacekeeping force began to try to restore order in the ravaged nation. In October, Indonesia elected a new president, who has said that he is willing to meet with East Timorese independence leader Xanan Gusmao, who is expected to be the new nation's first president. Finally, at the end of October, the United Nations announced that they were formally taking control of East Timor and sending a force of 9,000 troops to the half-island nation to restore order. But several hundred thousand East Timorese are still hiding in the mountains of East Timor or in refugee camps in Indonesian-controlled West Timor.
Building materials are in short supply as the treacherous rainy season begins.
And perhaps most importantly, East Timor is lacking in many vital institutions, including schools, courts, and police. Much work remains to be done before East Timor can survive on its own as a nation.