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DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF TIMOR-LESTE
SECRETARIAT OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND SOLIDARITY
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

MEMORANDUM

To: His Excellency the Prime Minister, Dr. Mari Alkatiri

Subject: Report on the situation in Suai and Manufahi

Floods caused by continuous torrential rains falling for two weeks in Suai District have resulted in major damages as follows:

- An estimated 610 hectares of rice paddies has been affected by the floods. Rice growing is the main livelihood for economic subsistence and food of the population in Suai District. Torrential rains seriously affected farmland, thereby raising doubts about production and harvest this year.

- Figures on people affected by the floods are as follows:

Table 1

Nature	Total Nr. of families	Total of victims	Damages		Remarks
			Houses	Farming Fields
Floods	47	279	62		Totally destroyed
Overflows	124	3376		Farming Field	Destroyed
Landslides	7	31	7		Collapsed
Total	778	3686	74	610	General

* Drinking water is a major problem for the population affected by the floods because water from springs and wells is not safe in inhabited areas.

* There are affected sucos and villages in a critical condition currently, and they need assistance in food supplies from international organizations and national companies for one or two months after supplies made available by the Government run out and farming activities go back to normality so that harvest can take place.

* The affected population is currently dependent upon relatives who are going through difficult times themselves to attend to and meet increased requirements in such an unpredictable situation.

* The population is in dire need of food supplies, tarpaulins to put up marquees, kitchen utensils, and mosquito nets, among other things. The most needy now total 74 households requiring urgent humanitarian assistance.

The Table on humanitarian assistance needed is as follows:

Nr.	Sub-district	Suco/Village	Total of houses	Total of victims
1.	Suai District	Camenasa	34	279
		Lakonak	2	9
		Samfuk	3	14
		Labarai	5	29
2.	Maukatar	Iela	7	24
3.	Fohorem	Laktos	5	27
4.	Tilomar	Ai oan	6	28
5.	Total		62	472

Table 2 (situation or conditions after July 2003)

Nr.	Sub-district	Suco/Village	Total of houses	Total of victims
1.	Suai District	Camenasa	208	1019
		Beco	90	450
		Holbelis	71	355
		Suai Loro	143	715
		Lakonak	48	265
		Samfuk	10	68
		Labarai	15	66
	Tilomar	Halimea/Aioan	11	66
		Salele Boot	20
		Kasabauk	44	215
	Zumalai	Osekai, Lepo	26	94
		Lour	12	56
		Fatu Leto	14	67
		Zulo	15	64
	Maucatar	Lela,dails,&Matai	41	161
	Fohoren	5	25
	Total		778	3686

This information was gathered in coordination with NDMO, Suai District Administration and Suai District Police between 19 and 21 June 2003.

ASSISTANCE ALREADY PROVIDED IN SUAI DISTRICT

This is also to inform that emergency relief provided by this Secretariat is as follows:

• 3,050 kg of rice for 74 families (60 50-kg bags of rice)
• 74 tarpaulins for 61 families;
• 74 sets of cooking pans for 61 families;
• 305 sheets for 61 families;
• 305 sarongs for 61 families;
• 183 bars of soap for 61 families.

This assistance will be distributed to 74 households and families affected by floods and 7 households or families affected by landslides on 24 June 2003.

ASSISTANCE ALREADY PROVIDED IN SAME DISTRICT

Note: Details from the District Administrator.

Assistance has also been considered for Same District on the basis of information or report by the Senior Minister for the Presidency of the Council of Ministers on 18 June 2003, as follows:

Nr.	Sucos	Households	Damages/Losses	Nature	Remarks
1	Tatudak	24	Goats, pigs and chickens	Flood	24 hectares flooded
2	Lurias Village	1	5 coconut trees and 50 banana trees	Flood	Trees taken by water
3	Alas	(1 household and 12 people	1 house destroyed	Strong winds	1 house destroyed
4	Knua Alas Village	5 households	5 houses destroyed and goats, pigs and chickens taken by water	Flood	5 houses destroyed and goats, pigs and chickens taken by water

Note: Details from the District Administrator.

Assistance has also been considered for Same District on the basis of information or report by the Senior Minister for the Presidency of the Council of Ministers on 18 June 2003, as follows:

• 120 sheets;
• 140 buckets;
• 250 kg of rice;
• 140 sets of cooking pans;
• 12 tarpaulins;
• 560 sarongs;
• Humanitarian assistance

GOVERNMENT CAPACITY

The Government capacity through the Secretariat of State for Labour and Solidarity and the Ministry of the Interior, amounts to the following quantities:

• Rice: 61.7 tonnes
• Maize: 5,500 kg (110 50-kg bags)
• Palm oil: 280 x 5 l=1,400 litres
• Sarongs: 750 units
• Soap: 2,500 boxes x 4 x 24=240,000 units
• Cooking sets with plates, spoons and mugs - 7000 x 2 = 1,400 units
• Buckets: 500
• Blankets: 510