Timor-Leste: UN investigates deadly violence near camp for displaced persons

United Nations police today in Timor-Leste are investigating deadly violence that erupted at a camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) near the capital’s airport, in which one Timorese was killed and two injured.

“The Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Atul Khare, has moved to reassure the people of Dili that the security situation at the IDP camp is under control,” the UN Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) said in a statement.

According to the International Security Forces (ISF), when they responded to a disturbance at the airport IDP camp, one ISF soldier “was attacked and defended himself by shooting the attacker, resulting in the death of one Timorese national.”

The UN Police (UNPOL) immediately deployed officers from the Malaysian, Pakistani and Portuguese Formed Police Units to the area, which was later deemed secure.

Mr. Khare “urged people to remain calm” and to cooperate with UNPOL, the Timorese Police and ISF soldiers.

In another development, the head of UN humanitarian assistance in Timor-Leste today announced a large-scale delivery of rice in Dili, which has been plagued by shortages and price increases.

“In order to alleviate this situation, the Government has requested the World Food Programme (WFP) to provide 300 metric tonnes of rice and WFP has responded positively to this request,” said Finn Reske-Nielsen.