This useful travel advice was issued by the British Foreign Office for people travelling to East Timor.  To find out a more detailed picture of security and health in the region I would advice going to http://www.fco.gov.uk

President Ramos-Horta was seriously injured following an armed attack on his home in East Timor on 11 February. There is a risk of popular violence on the streets as a result. The Government of Timor Leste has declared State of Seige (Emergency). All travel from 2000 to 0600, demonstrations and public gatherings have been prohibited. You are advised to monitor the situation carefully and exercise caution. See the Political situation section of this advice for more details.

We advise against all but essential travel to East Timor, because of the uncertain security situation. Since August 2006, there have been several incidences of civil unrest in the capital Dili, and in Viqueque, Bacau and Metinaro. On 4 October 2007 there was an explosion in Dili, adjacent to the Australian Embassy. There were no reported deaths or injuries. See the Political Situation section of this advice for more details.
You should avoid demonstrations and large crowds as outbreaks of violence can happen without warning, anywhere and at any time. You should also restrict your movements and avoid the areas surrounding IDP (internally displaced persons) camps, government buildings (including the Palacio da Cinzas and Palacio do Governno) and the vicinity of the Nicolau Lobato International airport in Comoro, including the airport road. You should also refrain from going outside after dark.

 If you decide to travel to East Timor, you should ensure that you are content with your own and your family's security arrangements and keep yourself up to date with developments, including by regularly monitoring this travel advice. You should ensure that your travel documents are up to date and readily available in case you need to leave the country at short notice.
There is no British representation in East Timor. All enquiries should be made to the British Embassy in Jakarta. See the General section of this travel advice for more details.
There is an underlying threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
Tropical cyclones sometimes occur in East Timor. The cyclone season normally runs from November to April.

AP reports that hundreds of villagers defied warnings of a major eruption at one of Indonesia's deadliest volcanos, leaving refugee centers Wednesday and returning to homes along its slopes to tend to crops and animals. 

Mount Kelud, which has been showing signs of increased activity for several weeks, was placed on the highest alert level late Tuesday, meaning scientists believe an eruption may be imminent.

The 5,679-foot volcano last erupted in 1990, killing dozens. In 1919, a powerful explosion destroyed a hundred villages and claimed 5,160 lives.

Local authorities began mandatory evacuations of around 30,000 people living within six miles of the peak late Tuesday, mostly women, children and the elderly. Many men refused to leave, according to an Associated Press reporter on the mountain.

On Wednesday morning, hundreds of people left temporary evacuation camps in rented trucks and returned to their villages, complaining they had received no food and saying they must tend crops.

"There was no food at all," said Darmiashiah, a 33-year-old woman who returned to the village of Sugihwaras, well within in the evacuation zone. "If I get told to leave again, I will not go," said Darmiashiah, who goes by a single name.

Unlike some volcanos, Mount Kelud does not smoke or rumble.

"It never shows its true nature," said government volcanologist Surono, who goes by a single name. "It is better to raise the status than see people killed."

Kelud, on Java island about 385 miles east of the capital, Jakarta, is one of the most active of Indonesia's estimated 150 active volcanoes. The country sits on the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire - a series of volcanos and fault lines stretching from the Western Hemisphere through Japan and Southeast Asia.

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