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East Timor Appeal

06 June 2006

We need to raise money immediately so that the people of East Timor can rebuild their lives after the recent unrest. Please send a generous gift to assist local organisations in rebuilding a peaceful, free and productive society in East Timor over the coming months

The recent conflict in East Timor has severely disrupted the day-to-day lives of the population and has been a blow to the confidence of this young independent nation. Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA would like to provide additional support to its partner organisations in East Timor to help rebuild infrastructure and restore confidence. Support from donors like yourself can help make this happen.

What began as a strike by about 600 soldiers from the East Timor military in March, developed into widespread civil unrest at the hands of opposing factions of the East Timorese security forces, as well as unemployed and disaffected youth. The current unrest brings back memories of the terrible trauma of the Indonesian occupation and the violence and destruction caused by the pro-Indonesian militia after their independence ballot in 1999.

Our local office manager Elisabeth Lino de Araujo, relayed to us how the collective trauma of the events in 1999 are affecting people in the current situation:

"I saw the refugees on television last night. They were all crying, the old people and the children... so much that I started crying too. People ran there with nothing, just the clothes on their bodies.

"This has been a political problem, but those who suffer are the people. People here have worked so hard since 1999 to rebuild their houses, to rebuild their lives, and they have sacrificed so much. They are not ready to leave the refugee camps, they don't want to risk losing any more."

The people of East Timor are once again facing a difficult and distressing situation.

Union Aid Abroad -APHEDA will need to quickly respond to the needs of local partner organisations in East Timor when they are able to resume their work. These key civil society organisations focus on strengthening vocational skills, developing the union movement, resolving conflict peacefully and informing the population through independent media. Their work is essential to preventing the development of further conflict by empowering people and providing alternatives to violence and distrust.

Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA's partner organisations are likely to need assistance in the following:

Repairing any damaged infrastructure or equipment
Replacing stolen or damaged goods
Restarting their programs
Developing programs that encompass reconciliation and peace building activities using community radio and theatre groups
Providing vocational and income generating skills to unemployed young men so they feel they have a share in the future of their community.

However, we need YOUR help to be able to provide this support.

You can help by donating:

$1000 - To fund a vocational training workshop targeting young unemployed males

$500 - To fund a theatre tour to rural villages to promote reconciliation

$100 - To partially fund training for community radio stations on developing programs that support peace building and reconciliation

$50 - To help make a gate to secure an office building

$30 - To help replace stolen/destroyed office equipment

By donating to East Timor you will be helping the traumatised people of this nation redevelop confidence and hope that their nation can continue to grow and prosper.

You will be supporting programs that equip individuals and communities in East Timor with skills and experiences to create a peaceful, free and productive society.

Click here to donate via our secure donation form, select East Timor from the drop down menu under section C. Once Off donations.

Or phone our toll free number 1800 888 674

Or send a cheque made out to APHEDA Inc. with a note alerting us that it is for the East Timor Appeal

Your support for the people of East Timor is so important for them at this difficult and unsettling time.

Please send your gift as soon as possible so that we can start planning the response to this crises with our local partners the response to this crisis. If you would like to discuss any further details please call 02 9264 9343. Thank you once again.

Contact Details
Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA
Ph: (02) 9264 9343
Fax: (02) 9261 1118
office@apheda.org.au

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Last Modified: Tuesday, 06-Jun-2006 15:54:05 EST
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