In addition, in a strongly worded statement , Executive Director Carol Bellamy advocates for the protection of this vulnerable displaced population, especially children and women.
Accommodation remains a problem with some staff forced to sleep in warehouses.
The western part of East Timor will remain in critical shape until the Multi National Force restores order throughout the area. At present more than 230,000 displaced persons are estimated to be in 37 camps in 11 locations in West Timor and nearby islands. Over 33,000 are under five years old, more than 13,000 are under two years old and over 6,000 are pregnant mothers. These figures, reported by the provincial Social Affairs Office, may actually be lower to the extent that displaced persons have left camps without reporting. Nonetheless, the camps are overcrowded and poor sanitation is a serious problem.