ASIA/EAST TIMOR - Refugees return, but the operations are not enough

Dili (Agenzia Fides) – The drama of those who have been forced to leave their homes, lands, and all they own, because of the violence and conflict, is all too familiar to the people of East Timor. The nation, from its foundation, was marked by conflict between Indonesian sympathizers and those in favor of its independence, leading to the flight of thousands of people.
After the healing of those wounds, thanks to an arduous process of national reconciliation, other afflictions have come to Timor's people, leading to more refugees and internally displaced persons among the population.
In 2006, more disorder broke out, due to clashes between the armed forces and 591 soldiers of the government of East Timor. The soldiers organized a protest and social tensions soon led to deaths, wounded, hundreds of fires in Dili, and the flight of thousands of families. The event showed that the split within East Timor's society, between those in favor of and those against independence from Indonesia, had still not healed.
After three years, the first groups of refugees are returning, although there are currently nearly 3,000 people living in temporary housing.
“Security issues, land disputes, illegal occupation of housing and homelessness are the principal barriers preventing the return and reintegration of refugees,” says Jesuit Refugee Services' Director in East Timor, Isidoro da Costa.
Thanks to the non-government organizations, which have been working there for three years, transitional housing has been built in six areas around the country: four sites in the capital Dili and two others in the nearby villages of Tibar and Hera. Each housing unit hosts between four and eight families. All look forward to returning to their homes and normal life. Although the government has promised to build permanent housing, it is not clear when this policy will be implemented.
Since 2006, the local Church has worked to provide areas for hosting the refugees from East Timor (such as the Salesian Center in Dili). Today, she continues assisting the refugees, especially in an effort to guarantee continuity in educating children, which are a large portion of the refugee population. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 21/7/2009)