CANBERRA - East Timor could face food shortages unless troops can quickly restore order, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer says.
Aid agency World Vision has warned of a looming humanitarian crisis, saying food distribution to 25,000 refugees is at risk from violence in which government food warehouses have been looted.
Mr Downer said the situation could only be avoided by a quick return to peace in the capital.
"It could depend on how quickly the troops are able to restore order because without order, there won't be proper food distribution, and if there isn't food distribution then we will have a crisis," Mr Downer told ABC Radio.
"But we've already set aside $1 million to help to counter that as well as, of course, the troops being there on the ground.
"The extent to which any humanitarian crisis is going to be avoided is going to depend to some extent on the speed with which the troops are able to bring the situation under control."
Mr Downer said more United Nations involvement in the fledgling nation was almost certain, but it was up to the East Timorese to achieve effective self-government.
"I think there's probably going to have to be more United Nations involvement after the 20th of June when the existing United Nations mandate runs out, and I think the United Nations can play a significant role in helping to enhance stability in East Timor," he said.
"So there's a limit to what the international community can do but the international community can be very helpful.
"Ultimately the East Timorese people are responsible for their own destiny, they can't just expect the rest of the world to sort out all of their problems."
Mr Downer agreed there was a "groundswell for change" of government in Dili, but would not be drawn on whether he would support a new regime.
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