In Tuapukan, a camp of 20,000 refugees 30 kilometres from the West Timor capital, Kupang, everyone knows the words. Despite fears the Indonesian Government would stop giving aid to this and some 200 other East Timorese refugee camps around the province, Tuapukan is beginning to look like a permanent settlement. Refugees have made homes under bamboo and plastic shelters. Washing water comes from wells. Drinking water, provided by the West Timorese Government, is brought in by tanker.
Children attend two nearby schools and medical facilities are available.
Although the camp relies on rice and sugar, brought in by the Government and international organisations, vegetables are readily available. Many refugees have set up shops around the camps, selling basic necessities such as soap, bottled water, toothpaste and coffee. May. The aid is necessary because, for the moment, most residents do not want to leave. Many of the refugees served in the Indonesian Army in East Timor. They wear their uniforms and look after camp security.