As Dr Murphy spoke, hundreds of non-Timorese families were being packed into an Indonesian passenger ferry bound for Sulawesi. There is nothing for us here. Many also claim they have been the targets of violence, abuse, threats and extortion. In Sydney, Dr Andrew MacNaughtan, of the group Timorese Aid, said many Australian organisations were ready to send medical and other supplies but their efforts had been frustrated by an inability to transport them. Dr McNaughton said it appeared the situation was becoming dire in East Timor with the only medical supplies coming from Australia being carried in small parcels, such as suitcases.
Much help appears to be available from around the world.
Dr Murphy said three tonnes of medical supplies from Europe had failed to clear Customs in Jakarta where authorities were charging an aid organisation for storage. Nothing is being done to help these people. The Foreign Minister, Mr Downer, has agreed that an Australian aid worker can travel to East Timor to assess the worsening supply and health situation. Pro-independence Timorese leaders have warned of a humanitarian crisis on Australia's doorstep unless drastic and urgent action is taken. Mr da Costa said Portugal, which ruled the territory for 400 years but abruptly abandoned it in 1975, had assured pro-independence groups it was ready to ship tonnes of emergency aid, including medical supplies, if approval was given by the Indonesian Government.