CRS History in East Timor

East Timor, which lies in the eastern part of the island of Timor, is one of the world's newest independent nations. Occupied by the Portuguese for more than 400 years and Indonesia from 1975 to 1999, East Timor started on the path to independence through a popular consultation held on August 30, 1999. Unfortunately, pro-Indonesian militias reacted with a campaign of systematic destruction, murder, burning of buildings, and general looting that caused the flight of more than 250,000 East Timorese to West Timor and other locations. Although most of those who fled East Timor have returned, there are still thousands who have not returned due to political and economic obstacles.

From 1979-1986, CRS/Indonesia carried out emergency and food security programs in East Timor in collaboration with a local NGO called East Timor Agricultural Development Program (ETADEP). After the 1999 referendum, CRS/Indonesia coordinated with church partners to provided relief assistance to families affected by the ensuing violence of the pro-Indonesia militias.

CRS/East Timor was established as a sub-office of CRS/Indonesia and became an independent country program in June 2000 to better respond to the devastation of East Timor and work directly with partners and beneficiaries. CRS has two offices in East Timor, the main office in Dili and a sub-office in Baucau. CRS/East Timor has nine international and 36 national staff members.