The St Vincent de Paul Society is talking to the people of war-ravaged East Timor to identify the territory’s long-term essential aid needs.
Queensland president, Tim O’Connor, said the society had launched a community consultation program to resolve some of the pitfalls which had arisen through a lack of understanding of the needs of the East Timorese.
He said the key thrust of meetings with the East Timorese people was to determine whether Australian aid was reaching the people and whether it was the right aid to get them back on their feet.
Two of the society’s overseas development officers have returned to Australia after a two-week intensive community consultation in and surrounding Dili, the East Timor capital, and along the northern coast. They spoke with more than 1000 people.
Mr O’Connor said aspects of life in East Timor were continuing, with schools in session and children attending classes while sitting on the ground.
In one location, medical assistance provided by a mobile medical unit manned by two nurses attended to the needs of 146 people.
Queensland donations to East Timor have comprised six six-metre container loads of aid, with further loads expected for despatch over the coming months.
