Follow-up: Rumours make people flock once more to Don
Bosco Compound in Dili.
From our Dili correspondent
DILI: 4th May 2006 -- How quickly the international press
passes on to other matters. But life in Dili has yet to settle
down, it seems. Tuesday and yesterday, most of the 7500 or so
people in our compound had already left. The government helped them
with transport to go to their nearby villages. Only about 1000 remained
because they were still afraid to return to their homes in the city, or
because their houses have been burnt and they have no house they can
call a home.
But at about 9 o’clock this morning (Thursday),
people started coming in again. Now, there are about 6000 and more are
coming in.
The city of Dili is almost empty as most of the inhabitants have
already gone to their native places in the districts.
All this because of rumours: some say the army has
split between the westerners and the easterners, and there is an
imminent shoot-out. Others say the police are against the army, but the
police officers we have been able to contact indicate no such
antagonism. Others still say the leaders of the land have already fled
the country. People do not know what to believe.
The Salesians are receiving the refugees with open
arms. Some Salesians have been looking for food, others for shelter,
toilets and medical aid. Several NGO’s have approached them asking what
they could do to help. A few days back, the government sent a team of
doctors to attend to the sick, brought in food supplies, water
facilities and portable toilets. Embassies also expressed their
willingness to help.
Outside the city of Dili, things are peaceful. Well,
even inside the city, but it has become a ghost town!
_____________________
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