While Dili streets have returned to a relative calm, recent reports of machete-wielding youths and burning and looting in the East Timor capital of Dili are a reminder of the need for the assistance of Australian Christians, say aid groups.

Christian World Service (CWS) is responding through its partner, Yayasan Sosial Naroman (YASONA) by distributing food supplies to displaced people in the districts of Aileu, Same and Ainaro.

This assistance began during the early stages of the unrest several weeks ago and has intensified in the past week.

World Vision Australia chief executive, Tim Costello says Australian and international troops in East Timor must assist agencies in getting essential aid to refugee camps to prevent a full-blown humanitarian crisis.

Mr Costello says there are 30,000 people sheltering in camps and insufficient quantities of aid are getting through to them.

"The security situation is still very bad. The Dom Bosco School, where up to 15,000 people were huddled in squalid conditions, was attacked by gangs and two people were stabbed," he says.

"We have been forced to limit our operations due to the fears if we are too active our compound will be looted and our staff attacked because no permanent security can be provided to us."

He says troops must ensure there is safe passage for aid to be delivered to refugee camps.

"In the last few days the government's and the United Nation's food stores have been looted, the danger is still very real," he says.

More than 100,000 Dili residents have fled their homes to escape the violence, an aid official told AAP, and at least eight people have been hospitalized with machete wounds " three are in a critical condition.

At least 27 people have died in the clashes between the disgruntled soldiers and government troops since the fighting developed into open street violence in Dili last week.

Pope Benedict XVI has appealed for an end to the violence in East Timor, which is predominantly Roman Catholic.

Australia has contributed the majority of the more than 2000 international security personnel that are struggling to bring peace to the destabilized region.

The latest violence is said to be the worst in East Timor since the nation broke from Indonesia in 1999.

"I appeal to Australians to help us in our efforts to respond to the humanitarian needs of the East Timorese who have suffered so much," Mr Costello says.

The General Secretary of the NSW Ecumenical Council, Ray Williamson wants churches across Sydney to respond generously to the needy in East Timor.

"The National Council of Churches in Australia is inviting congregations and individuals to respond to the situation by generously supporting the work of ecumenical partner agencies in those places," he says.

To support Wold Vision Australia visit the their web site or call 13 32 40.

To support Christian World Service visit their web site or call 1800 025 101.