You are here:

East Timor

Leonel de Oliveira and his brother plough their rice fields using a hand tractor provided by CAFOD partner Hadomi Malu [Jim Holmes]

East Timor was the first new nation of the 21st century, gaining independence in May 2002, but remains one of the world’s poorest nations

Challenges include low employment, sustainable management of oil and gas revenue; and delivery of basic services to all.

Poor infrastructure continues to hamper development efforts.

CAFOD spent £214,000 in East Timor in 2008

Withdrawing Indonesia troops and pro-Indonesia militias destroyed up to 70% of roads, schools, hospitals and other public buildings, as well as the infrastructure for electricity and water supplies.

Moruk (far right) farms watermelons with his friends, after turning his back on a life dealing in black market goods [CAFOD]

Change of heart bears fruit in East Timor

Meet Moruk, who turned his life around from being a black market dealer, to being a proud farmer of watermelons

Australian troops in military vehicles patrol the streets to guard against angry Fretilin party supporters near Comoro airport in Dili [REUTERS/LIRIO DA FONSECA/www.alertnet.org]

Parties must work together

CAFOD partner calls for all political parties to "keep talking" in East Timor after violence broke out when the country's new prime minister was announced

An East Timorese child sits in front of UN troops from New Zealand during East Timorese presidential election candidate Ramos Horta's campaign rally in Dili, May 6, 2007 [REUTERS/BEAWIHARTA courtesy www.alertnet.org]

East Timor shows desire for peace

CAFOD hails East Timor’s successful presidential elections as a “rebuke” for those committed to violence as a means of solving the country’s problems

More than three million people in Colombia have been forced to flee their homes during decades of fighting between guerrilla groups, paramilitaries and the army - the highest number of displaced people in the world after Sudan [CARITAS Colombia/CAFOD]

Support our partners in their struggle

CAFOD has repeatedly asked the UK government to press the Colombian authorities to publicly defend human rights. Please support this call to action and the work of our partners in Colombia by emailing your MP now.

YOU can make a difference