Timor-Leste was heralded as a success within the international community . . . the newest nation of the 21st Century. But it has descended into crisis. Tragically, some people believe this crisis to be even worse than the destruction unleashed in 1999 after the Timorese people overwhelmingly voted in support of independence from Indonesia.

The human suffering which has been caused by the crisis needs to be addressed urgently. Armed gangs of young men are burning and looting in the capital city, Dili . . . in spite of the presence of international troops. Residents are scared and an estimated 65,000 have fled to makeshift refuges. Another 35,000 have left the city for rural areas. There is growing concern about a lack of food and water, as the security situation has made it difficult to deliver aid. There is also concern about the health of those living in crowded conditions.

Earlier this year, 591 soldiers, more than a third of the defence force, deserted. They claimed their ethnic groups were being denied promotion opportunities. The government sacked the deserters who then called for key ministers to resign. When this didn't happen demonstrations turned violent and deserters attacked government security forces in Dili.

Long-standing ethnic divisions have been blamed for the recent conflict. In the south-eastern suburbs of Dili this division has been slowly growing, but many Timorese still can't believe that the east-west consciousness is sufficiently strong to be the cause of widespread killing.

Frustration, caused by poverty and alienation, has boiled over. Rates of unemployment among young people in Dili runs at 44% and non-oil GDP per capita is declining Many nations were involved in rebuilding TimorLeste from the ashes in 1999. But these interventions were too hasty and overlooked some of the deeper issues. Basic infrastructure like communications, electricity and water remain inadequate in most parts of the country. Agriculture and tourism have failed to attract significant investment. One can't blame the Timorese for feeling resentful of the many international workers who came to the aid of their country but enjoy a far better standard of living. For many, the promises on independence have not translated to much Ironically, this past Monday was the International Day of UN Peacekeepers. In previous years, TimorLeste has been celebrated as the most extensive and successful peacekeeping mission the UN has ever undertaken. This year there are discussions about a new peacekeeping mission to the country.

This small half-island nation, with a history of colonisation, human rights abuses and under-development, was expected to be able to rebuild from the ground and run its own affairs in just three years.

What we are seeing in the streets of Dili is evidence that the process of nation building takes much longer than that. We need to look beyond surface explanations and short-term solutions.