As a consequence of the renewed violence erupted in Dili in April and May 2006, over 20,000 people lost their homes. The violent clashes, led to total or partial destruction of over 4,000 homes in Dili district (Source UNDP Timor Leste, Dec 2006) and led to a growing population of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
In May 2007, 4,000 of those that lost homes reside in temporary tent shelters in the IDP camps considered to have the most compromised living conditions and most adversely affecting the surrounding population.
The Government of Timor-Leste, with the support of international NGOS has started building transitional shelters for the families who lost their homes while more permanent housing solutions are developed. Triangle Generation Humanitaire has been asked to participate in providing water and sanitation solutions and has received support from the Humanitarian Aid Service of the European Commission (ECHO) to do so.

In this project the activities are undertaken in coordination with other aid agencies in order to respond to the uncovered needs, and more specifically with the NRC (Norwegian Refugee Council) and the Government of East Timor. The action was undertaken in 4 transitional shelters sites in and around the capital city, Dili: Tibar, Tasi-Tolu, Quarantina et Becora Market.

The expected results of the project have been reached and even surpassed. Therefore the displaced people who have moved to these transitional housing sites now benefit from:

• A good quality and sufficient quantity of water: the response brought by the implemented action are above the minimum required by Sphere standard in terms of available quantity of water per day and per person, of the number of water points built per person and of quality of the provided water.
• Access to sanitary installations: latrines, bathing and washing facilities, all in sufficient quantity, again above the Sphere standard’s requirements.

As well, their hygiene living conditions, awareness and practices has been improved: people were able to attend hygiene promotion education sessions and each family received a kit including soap, washing powder, brushes and water recipients.

An account from Francisco

Coming from eastern East Timor, Francisco Alves Maria is 38 years old. Although he could not study after high school under the Indonesian occupation, a water supply company trained him on the job. A Timorese NGO, also a partner of Triangle, taught him how to implement projects through a community approach, close to the people of his country.
Since June 2007 he assists Triangle’s team in the implementation of a water and sanitation project supporting internally displaced people in Dili district.

What do you think of the impact that this project can have on IDPs?
Before IDPs were leaving in tents so this change to Transitional Shelter Sites (TSS) is fine for Timorese families who are used to live together. Even if shelters are too small, it is a good solution for a short period of time.

From your site visits, what is your opinion about IDP’s reaction towards the project?
IDPs want to move in TSS because standard is good, even if there is not enough space. Some people I met were trying to get a house in TSS but they were refused because of the too many number of families already living in.

And what about their willingness to go back home?
People came from districts to go to the first camps and then to TSS. Because of security problems and promises not fulfilled by the Government, people don’t dare going back home and want to stay in the TSS. There are lots of reasons for them not to go back home, for example, the jealousy and tensions created when, in a same area, some families still have a house whereas neighbours have had their house burnt down.

Water point
in Tasi Tolu
Dec ‘07

Latrines and evacuation drain
in Tibar – Dec ‘07