Timor- Leste, 11 September 2008 - Over the past four months IOM has helped the Government to facilitate the return and reintegration of 5,930 families previously living in 22 displacement camps in and around the capital Dili as a result of the civil unrest of April and May 2006.

As a leading agency in support of the Government in the management of camps and service delivery to internally displaced persons (IDP), IOM takes a three-pronged approach to return and reintegration. First, IOMÕs long-standing and substantial connections with both IDPs and communities has positioned it well to assist the Government in maximising the sustainability of return and reintegration. IOMÕs return and reintegration teams work closely with individual IDPs before they leave the camp, during the movements themselves and after they have returned home. This approach allows IOM to resolve issues before IDPs return home and to address specific issues that arise after return. Second, IOM monitors the return and reintegration from a community-based perspective. Through structured monthly village surveys, IOM and its partners can identify potential points of tension that could, if left unaddressed, threaten the sustainability of return. IOM is hopeful that, with the results of the survey, the Government its partners can work hand-in-hand with communities to respond to key challenges to long-term stability and development. IOM remains committed to assisting the people and Government of Timor-Leste through this crucial period and looks forward to providing its support in the future. Finally, IOM assists the Government with transportation and logistical support before and during return and reintegration movements.

In August, 597 families left one of the countryÕs largest and most visible camps: the IDP site adjoining the countryÕs international airport. Their departure is a milestone and illustrates a markedly improved perception of security and stability by both IDPs and receiving communities.

ÒThe return and reintegration of the IDPs from the Airport camp presented unique challenges. Nevertheless, the success of return and reintegration efforts generally is indicative of a larger trend: that the GovernmentÕs efforts to address the immediate obstacles to return have been largely successfulÓ, stated IOM Timor-Leste Chief of Mission Luiz Vieira.

ÒWhilst IOM is indeed optimistic about the return and reintegration of Timor-LesteÕs IDPs and the countryÕs recovery generally, the long-term sustainability of returns is dependent upon a variety of factors, each requiring long-term attention by Government and its partners. For this reason, IOM remains committed to maximising the durability of returns through close collaboration with the Government and the continuation of our comprehensive returns monitoring activitiesÓ, he added.

IOMÕs activities are generously funded by the people of the European Union, through the Humanitarian Aid Department of the European Commission (ECHO) and the people of Australia, through the Government of AustraliaÕs International Refugee Fund (IRF).

For more information, please contact Brad Mellicker at bmellicker@iom.int or +670 735 1998.

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IOM Assiste Governu iha Returno no Reintegrasaun Familia Deslokadus iha

Timor-Leste, 11 Setemberu 2008 - Iha Fulan haÕat liu ba IOM ajuda Governu hodi facilita retuno no reingrasaun familia Deslokadus hamutuk 5,930 durante nebe hela iha campo deslokasdus 22 iha capital Dili. nebe resultado husi crizes iha fulan Abril no Maio 2006.

Hanesan Agencia nebe suporta Governu ba maneja campo Deslokadus IOM utiliza hariÕi fiar hamutuk ho deslokadus durante tinan rua nia laran. IOM ekipa returno no reintengrasaun nebe servisu besik liu deslokadus no individual antes sira husik campo, durante movimentu lao no wainhira sira fila ona ba uma. Aprosimasaun ida neÕe fo dalan ba IOM atu identifika individual, familia no komunidade nia presiza atu ajuda hodi hare ba sira nia conflitu nebe mak potensial ba prosesu lori ema deslokado sira ba iha fatin nebe mak iha risku boot.

IOM mos halu monitorizasaun ba returno no reintegrasaun hare liu ba baze presepsaun komunidade nia liu husi preparasaun ba survei iha suco no hanesan dalan ida atu IOM bele identifika pontu potensial liu ho amiasas ba returno. Resultado husi survei ne atu fo dalan ba Governu servisu hamutuk ho parseiru sira ho komunidade hodi responde ba obstaklu nebe iha longo prazu ba terno establidade no desenvolvimentu. Ikus liu IOM Assiste Governu fo apoio transporte no logistika antes no durante prosesu movimento returno no reingresaun. Iha Fulan Agustus nia laran 597 familia sai husi campo boot fatin deslokadus nia besik liu ba Airportu Internacional. Nebe sai hanesan target boot hanesan ilustra ida hodi hadiak prespsaun seguranca no establidade ba parte Deslokadus no komunidade nebe simu sira.

ÒReturno no reingrasaun Deslokadus husi campo Aiportu hanesan obstaklu uniko. Iha parte seluk hanesan suksesu ba returno no reingrasun nebe esforsu geral resolve problema boot: Nebe esforsu Governu hodi hare ba obstaklu imediata ba suksesu boot ba returnoÓ, arfirma husi Chief Misaun IOM iha Timor Leste Luiz Vieira.

ÒIha realidade IOM optimista katak returno no reingrasaun ba Deslokadus iha Timor Leste hanesan rekupera geral no iha komprensaun sustentabilidade ba returno nebe depende faktoris nebe variado bele presiza atu tau atensaun husi Parte Governu nia ba longo prasu ho parseiru sira. IOM iha komitmento boot atu fo contribusaun positivo ba durasaun returno no reingrasaun liu husi kolaborasaun ho Governu no parseiru sira SelukÓ, nia hateten.

Aktividade IOM nebe hetan apoio fundo husi povo Union European liu husi Ajuda Humanitaria Derpartemento Comisaun Uniaun Eropean (ECHO) no Povo Australia nebe liu husi Governu Australia Internacional Fundo ba Refujado (IRF).

Atu Hetan infromasaun diak liu tan bele kontaktu Brad Mellicker at bmellicker@iom.int or +670.735.1998.