Penulisan disertasi ini dilatari suatu penelitian lapangan yang dilakukan di lokasi pemukiman baru
masyarakat Timor Timur di wilayah Timor Barat seperti; Kabupaten Kupang, Timor Tengah
Selatan, Timor Tengah Utara, dan Belu. Hasil Jajak Pendapat Timor Timur 1999 berdampak pada
pertikaian dan pergolakan antara kelompok prointegrasi dan prokemerdekaan sehingga terjadi
pengungsian masyarakat secara masif ke Timor Barat. Pengungsian, penerimaan dan penanganan
masyarakat Timor Timur di Timor Barat selama tahun 1999-2009 ditempatkan sebagai
permasalahan utama. Karena itu, tujuan penelitian adalah menganalisis faktor-faktor yang
melatarbelakangi pengungsian masyarakat Timor Timur ke Timor Barat pascajajak pendapat 1999.
Kemudian menganalisis proses pengungsian masyarakat Timor Timur ke Timor Barat serta
penerimaan dan penangananya selama 1999-2002. Selanjutnya, menganalisis kehidupan sosial,
budaya, dan ekonomi masyarakat Timor Timur di lokasi-lokasi pemukiman baru Timor Barat
dalam kurun waktu 2002-2009. Metode penelitian yang digunakan antara lain; studi lapangan,
wawancara masyarakat dan pemerintah, serta studi pustaka dan sumber-sumber sezaman. Hasil
penelitian menunjukkan beberapa temuan antara lain; Pertama, terbentuk ragam pergerakan yang
berpola dalam proses pengungsian. Kedua, terdapat perubahan konkret yang bermanfaat bagi
masyarakat pengungsi, namun ada juga kelemahan dalam penanganan sehingga menimbulkan
banyak permasalahan. Ketiga, masyarakat pengungsi yang relokasi ke pemukiman baru
mengalami dekadensi hidup sejahtera sehingga harus diberdayakan demi kesejahteraan.
The writing of the dissertation is based on a field research conducted in the new settlements ofEast Timorese community in the West Timor region, such as Kupang Regency, South CentralTimor Regency, North Central Timor Regency, and Belu Regency. The results of the 1999 EastTimor Referendum had an impact on uprising and upheaval between pro-integration and proindependencegroups. It was resulting massive displacement of people to West Timor. Thedisplacement and handling of the East Timorese people in West Timor during 1999-2009 wasformulated as the main problem. Therefore, the aim of this research is to analyze the factors behindthe displacement of the East Timorese to West Timor after the 1999 Referendum. Then to analyzethe process of refugee of the East Timorese to West Timor related to its acceptance and handlingduring 1999-2002. Furthermore, analyzing the social, cultural, and economic life of the EastTimorese people in the new settlements West Timor in the period 2002-2009. The researchmethods include field studies, community and government interviews, sources of contemporaryand literature studies. The results of research showed several findings; Firstly, various movementswere patterned in the process of displacement. Secondly, there are concrete changes as beneficialfor the refugee community, but also weaknesses in handling that cause many problems. Thirdly,refugee communities who have relocated to new settlements have experienced decadence ofprosperity and must be empowered for their welfare.