RETRACTION- No offer of money from UNDP to TLPC

The story printed yesterday claiming that the Untied Nations Development Program (UNDP) was to provide USD800,000 worth of funding for a project to purchase newspapers from the Timor-Leste Press Club (TLPC) has been retracted due to serious errors in the article. The Coordinator of Timor-Leste Media Independent Development Initiative Project, Miguel Caldera, has corrected the story stating that no such arrangement has been made between TLPC and UNDP. During the meeting between TLPC and UNDP, from which the erroneous article was based upon, discussions were had over possible UNDP support for all media in the nation. No specific finances were discussed. (Timor Post 31/01/08)

TLPC sends protest letter to PNTL

Journalists from the Timor-Leste Press Club (TLPC) sent a protest letter yesterday to the PNTL Commander, Afonso de Jesus, claiming that members of the PNTL had used undue and unwarranted force in beating one TLPC member, Nelson da Cruz. The PNTL had also threatened the AFP Journalist with a gun. The protest letter was signed by the President of TLPC, Domingos Saldanha and the Secretary-General of TLPC, Paulino Quintas.
“We understand that while Nelson da Cruz had broken a rule, he should not have been physically abused. There are other ways of resolving this conflict,” said the letter. The protest letter had also requested that the PNTL members conduct themselves with professionalism. (STL 31/01/08)

Earthquake Situation Report

At 4.32pm on Wednesday the 30th of January 2008 a 6.2 Magnitude earthquake occurred approximately 130 kilometres North East of Lautem District at sea. Indonesia Geological and Meteorological Agency issued a Tsunami Alert after their instruments near the earthquake epicentre (location) recorded 6.6 Magnitude earthquak. Under Indonesian protocol if an earthquake at sea is near 7 Magnitude, a Tsunami Alert is issued. The Disaster Operations Centre confirmed with Tsunami early warning agencies in the region that this earthquake was not likely to produce a tsunami and no Tsunami Alert was issued. The Secretary of State for Social Assistance and Natural Disasters issued a live statement at TVTL and Radio Studio’s at 6pm this evening to confirm there was no tsunami and assist in correcting any misinformation that may create any community fears.

Earthquake Details

Report all emergencies to the Police National Operations Centre by phoning 112 or your local police station. The Disaster Operations Centre can also be contacted by e-mail at; doc.ndmd@gmail.com


The Disaster Operations Centre’s is in development to assist the people of Timor-Leste to coordinate information and responses to reduce disaster and crisis risk. The Disaster Operation Centre is supported by technical and donor development assistance from the following organisations:

· Crisis Prevention and Recovery Unit, United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Timor-Leste
· UNMIT Integrated Humanitarian Coordination Team, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
· Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID)
· Australian Bureau of Meteorology through the International Security Force (ISF)
· Communications and Public Information Office, United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT)