Media Release
27 May 2007
ANF reiterates urgent call to support East Timor nurses
Following a recent visit to Dili, ANF Federal Secretary Jill Iliffe said she is convinced more than ever of the urgency of the task to help East Timor’s nurses.
Ms Iliffe said it was hard to describe how distressing she found parts of her recent visit.
“There are 82 nurses and their families (plus assorted livestock) living in single room tents in the grounds of the Dili National Hospital,” Ms Iliffe said.
“The tents have been provided by the UN and are the igloo type containing two rooms (one either end). Up to four people live in one small room with no electricity or running water. The nurses use the patient's showers and toilets. Makeshift barbecues have been built and all cooking is done outside. Trenches have been dug around the tents to prevent flooding when it rains. The nurses have been living like this for nearly twelve months.”
Despite the circumstances they were positive and cheerful and very grateful for the support they have already received, Ms Iliffe said.
“Many of the nurses are too frightened to return home to rebuild. Some are too disheartened because it is the second time they have lost everything. Most lost more than just their homes - motor bikes, mini buses, taxis which provided additional income. For a few who fled their homes, other people now occupy their homes. Many people in East Timor do not have title to the land on which their homes stood.”
All the executive of the Association of Nurses of East Timor (AETL) except one have lost their homes. The AETL coordinator has been sleeping on the ground for nearly twelve months without a mattress or blankets and now has malaria. “We must put every effort into fund raising for the East Timor nurses to try to get as many as possible out of the IDP camp,” Ms Iliffe said.
“We should start by helping those who are prepared to and who feel it is safe to rebuild. It may take time for other nurses to feel it is safe enough or to establish title to their land. AETL and APHEDA are working with the ANF to try to work out how to best distribute the funds raised. We are trying to raise enough money for 82 houses. So far we have only enough for 12.”
The ANF calls on ALL Australians to donate at least five dollars to help build these nurses’ homes. Any Australian can donate via the ANF website at www.anf.org.au All donations above $2 will be tax deductible.
The ANF, representing 150,000 members, is the professional and industrial voice for nurses in
Media inquiries
Jill Iliffe, Federal Secretary 0419 576 590
Ged Kearney, Assistant Federal Secretary, 0417 053 322