No subject

cadres from Werinama Health Centre in Seram Island. 

IMC through its "Health facility rehabilitation and construction" programme is 
now rehabilitating three health posts (Puskesmas Pembantu) in Wahai Seram 
Island, and three health posts and a health center (Puskesmas) in Kobisonta. 

Water and Sanitation 
Mercy Corps provided funds to an LNGO, Lembaga Maluku Membangun, for 
construction of latrine, washing and shower facilities in Batu Koneng sub-
village of Ambon Island, benefitting some 170 families (900 people) will be 
benefited. 

Shelter and Non-food Items 
Mercy Corps is funding an LNGO, Koperasi Serba Usaha Bina Usaha Kecil, to 
construct shelters for 48 returnee families (215 people) in Batumera, a suburb 
in Ambon city. A similar support for IDPs was also provided for an LNGO, 
Yayasan Pisgas Indostar, in Sahulau and Rumahlait villages of Seram Island. 

Education 
SC UK Ambon conducted a "Youth for Peace" programme on Thursday (29 May). The 
programme involves games and learning activities by using English language. It 
also involves youth from both Christian and Muslim communities. Under this 
programme, SC UK is also preparing a workshop that is planned to be held in 
June 2003. 

SC UK conducted a meeting with a local radio station, DMS, to establish 
cooperation with regard to children and youth programmes. 

Economic Recovery and Infrastructure 
UNDP facilitated initial contacts to establish cooperation among Moslem 
Religious Teacher's Committee (MUI), Protestant Church Committee (Synod GPM) 
and Catholic Church Committee, in order to build a reconciliation programme in 
the province. 

UNDP participated in a radio talk show discussing humanitarian activities in 
Maluku on a Government owned radio on Saturday (24 May). 

On Wednesday (28 May), ICMC facilitated a workshop on advocacy planning. Twelve 
representatives from LNGO partners (Lelemuku, YPPM, Tiara Pusaka, Lakpesdam I, 
Lakpesdam II, YKB and Diakonia) participated at the workshop. 

5. NORTH MALUKU 

Health 
In cooperation with the Provincial and District Health Office, WHO conducted a 
joint mission to Tobelo and Galela to asses the health situation in these 
areas. 

Education 
In cooperation with the Provincial and District Education Office of North 
Maluku, UNICEF prepared distribution of textbooks for 75 elementary schools 
across North Maluku province. 

WVI distributed "Harmonis" magazine to elementary schools in Tobelo sub-
district (covering SD Negeri Popilo/Mede, SD Negeri Popilo, SD Inpres Gorua, SD 
GMIH Gorua, SD Inpres Wari, SD Bertingkat, SD GMIH II Gorua, SD Naskat II 
Tobelo, SD Naskat I Tobelo, SD GMIH IV Tobelo, SD Inpres Tobelo, SD GMIH 
Gamsungi, and SD Negeri Kalibitu) on Tuesday (27 May). WVI also distributed the 
magazine to Galela sub-district (covering SD GMIH Mamuya, SD Negeri Soa Sio, 
MTn Soa-Sio, and SD Inpres Limau) from 27 to 28 May. 

WVI distributed stationeries for students across Galela sub-district (covering 
SD Inpres Bale, MTn Dokulamo, SD Inpres Soakonora, SD Muhamadiyah Togawa, MTn 
Soakonora, SD Negeri Seki, SD Negeri Soa Sio, SD Inpres Soa-Sio, SD GMIH Mamuya 
and SD Inpres Mamuya). 

Economic Recovery and Infrastructure 
WVI monitored implementation of its Public Facilities Rehabilitation programme 
in Galela sub-district and South Jailolo sub-district from 22 to 28 May. 

7. WEST TIMOR 

Education 
Pos Kupang reported on 23 May, that the District Government of Atambua did not 
have properly functioning schools. The head of village of Umakalaran of Maria 
Bani, said that several school buildings built in the resettlement area in 2001 
were still vacant. 

Others 
Pos Kupang reported on Tuesday (27 May), that some 50 former refugees met the 
Regency of Kupang on Monday (26 May) to obtain explanation /information on the 
management of assistance for former refugees. 

A local newspaper, Radar Timor, reported on Saturday (24 May), that some 30 
former refugees destroyed the office of Kupang Regent on Friday (23 May). Three 
of the former refugees were arrested by the police. 

This report and previous ones can be found at www.reliefweb.int 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Canberra Times
Opinion
East Timor: one year on and in need of help
Jeremy H. Hovland
Friday, 30 May 2003

As East Timor celebrates its first birthday this month, it is essential that 
the world appreciates the complex challenges facing this newest of nations. 
Understanding the many challenges that lie ahead is critical if expectations of 
progress are to remain realistic and premature judgments on success or failure 
are to be avoided. 

East Timor is moving forward. But it needs more than the financial support of 
the world community; it needs the deeper engagement that comes from informed 
concern and understanding. The Government must have trust and confidence in the 
international community - trust that it is a friend acting with genuine 
concern, and confidence that it is committed to the long-term goals of the 
country. 

Without this understanding the risk grows that East Timor will be disappointed 
in its supporters and suspicious of counsel. It is too easy for the world to 
focus on East Timor's brief existence as an independent state and disregard its 
long history - and memory - of betrayal and desertion by many members of the 
international community. 

It would be premature to judge East Timor's progress since independence. But 
the nation does have some achievements to celebrate. The planning of the reform 
agenda is solid. Reconstruction of the infrastructure is significant, with many 
commercial and residential buildings restored in Dili, power and water supplies 
gradually being re-established, and port facilities repaired. In the public 
sector, key legislative and regulatory reforms have been initiated; and steps 
towards the development of a financial market are under way. 

Despite these improvements, much of the country still lives in poverty and 
unemployment is widespread. 

It is appropriate and timely to look at the specific challenges to growth and 
development that have become evident in this short time. 

The civil peace is fragile, as evidenced by the riots of last December. Not 
everyone is content with the progress so far and willing to wait for things to 
change. Insurgents on both sides of the border with Indonesia still threaten to 
disrupt the peace when East Timor takes sole responsibility for its internal 
security and defence. The country must foster a relationship with Indonesia, 
despite the past, because of the profound impact good relations would have for 
the future. Resolution of the refugee problem is critical. Reconciliation with 
those opposed to independence will also influence how quickly East Timor 
achieves the social cohesion needed for successful development. The 
determination of a border with Australia is crucial for East Timor in regard to 
its prospective revenues from the resource-rich Timor Sea. The extent to which 
negotiations satisfy both parties will long influence relations between them. 

Wherever the lines are drawn, managing the substantial revenues from the oil 
and gas fields under the sea is likely to present an even greater challenge. 
New income flows will bring new opportunities that many developing countries 
would envy. But harsh experience elsewhere confirms that these opportunities 
also bring great risks, and counsels vigilance against waste, mismanagement and 
corruption. 

The urgent challenge of good governance is especially critical. Transparency 
and accountability are not luxuries to be pursued later. Practices that 
jeopardise trust and confidence are almost impossible to reverse and all too 
easy to entrench.

Perhaps most important of all, with an overwhelmingly young population, East 
Timor must generate productive and meaningful activity for its workforce. Under-
employment, social exclusion, and a growing income divide are an invitation to 
the social disasters faced in many developing countries. Subsistence 
agriculture will not suffice. A vibrant private sector will be essential. 

Political stability and cohesion are essential for the building of a strong 
democracy and a sound foundation for development. Land ownership is a 
potentially divisive issue requiring political will and foresight.

Each challenge is daunting, each issue complex. East Timor knows what it is up 
against and has its answers. But if recent anniversary congratulations are to 
be genuine, the international community must also take the time and make the 
effort to understand and assist its newest member. 

It is not enough for the world to look in every now and then. It is not enough 
to offer advice or send money when the media highlight a setback or disaster. 
The world has a stake in East Timor's future. It needs to support that future 
with engagement, understanding and insight. 
-- Jeremy H. Hovland is director-general of the Pacific Department at the 
Manila-based Asian Development Bank.