so do i exist or not?

So, i get an email from Singapore international Foundation saying:

"MFA has issued a public travel advisory last night."
From CNA:"It is ... advising Singaporeans who reside there to leave while commercial flights are available. "

My question is to WHOM did MFA issue this advisory to? Cos I surely DID NOT receive one phone call or sms from MFA officials sitting in their cushy offices at Minden Road. also, they shouldn't be expecting us to be able to watch CNA here - it's only available if you have satellite access.

So was the MFA really issuing out the advisory warning to people in Timor or for people in Singapore to 'see' that they are?

I've heard that there's been some calling but hey, there're only 40 something of us here and yet, no one has yet dialed my number.. HELLO! Do i exist or not? Anyways, to set the record straight, i'm not expecting them to really say anything useful to me when they call and I feel a lot safer here under the UN umbrella.

Also, they have tasked a non-civil servant (read unpaid) singaporean who's big hearted enough to call everyone here in Dili. Ok, fine,she missed me out too, but can i blame her? Here's ONE person in Dili having crap telecommunications abilities to call 40 plus people. Come on MFA, surely you have enough officers to do that in Singapore. The satellite phone provided also didn't work by the way.

If the government is sincere in ADVISING singaporeans to leave, they should pick up their phones from their cosy seats in singapore to call us or SMS us. OR like what Australia has done - arrange a flight out for singaporeans. ACTION more than talk please. As i write this, Australia has already evacuated 60 persons back to Darwin.

"Singaporeans who wish to leave Timor Leste but who have encountered difficulties doing so should also contact the ministry, whose Duty Office is open 24 hours."

BUT WAIT, just above this line was this:

It is also advising Singaporeans who reside there to leave while commercial flights are available.

In fact, someone did call the MFA and was advised to take the Merpati flight back! DUDE! if we could, would we be calling you??? COME ON! GET REAL!

Ok, and for concerned MFA folks reading this blog, if you do send a chopper to get us, please ensure that we can get to the airport safely too. Ok, perhaps you think that's too much to ask of you but the reality is, no matter how many choppers you send, we won't be able to get out of Timor unless there's a safe passage TO the airport. That's one reason why not more AUstralians are making their way to the airport which is to the left of the city and at least 20 minutes ride away.

Also, I refuse to leave if it means having to endanger a driver's life to send me there. Say, i happen to get there in one piece, who can guarantee the driver's safety on his way back? What if he gets hurt going back to the UN compound? Can i bear that guilt?

Anyways, for now, it's safer to hunker down instead of running amok - into any possible cross fire.

The gunfire is still ringing in the night.
A flare is up in the sky.
A plane is trying to land in pitch darkness.
I'm sleeping on a cold hard floor tonight - but what about the thousands with no mosquito nets, no shelter, no warm food, out there?