The MSF teams that were expelled from East Timor are safe in Darwin, Australia and have made it clear they would like to return to East Timor as soon as possible. The only place for direct action, at the current time, is through West Timor.

A three-person exploratory team is there currently and is evaluating the refugee situation. There are 22-tons of medical supplies being prepared for flight from Belgium to Darwin, Australia.

The supplies contain sufficient equipment for MSF to set up field operations and start water and sanitation (wat/san) projects immediately. A small supporting field staff shall accompany the cargo flight.

Depending on developments in East Timor, the supplies can be easily transferred to new locates, should the need arise. Once the exploratory mission has assessed the situation, there are sufficient MSF personnel nearby that MSF will be operational immediately.