EWER: Situation Review July 2016

In July, the Early Warning, Early Response (EWER) system continued monitoring for violent incidents and changes to the security situation in Timor-Leste. EWER monitors recorded 118 violent incidents, some of which can likely be explained by the progression of the dry season. The dry season typically sees a reduction in agricultural work and an increase in ceremonies and parties, which may explain the slight increase in incidents related to cultural ceremonies and alcohol abuse in July. Conversely, the number of land-related incidents decreased substantially in JulyAi??compared to the average month, possibly because farmers were spending less time in their fields. The EWER system also continued to record Rama Ambon (slingshot arrow) shootings in and around Dili, with three such incidents recorded in July. These types of attacks began increasing in frequency in February of this year and have been a near-monthly occurrence in Dili ever since. For more details and a statistical breakdown of all incidents recorded in July, please read the full situation review.