19 June 2026, Dili – The Cruz Vermelha de Timor-Leste (CVTL) successfully conducted a five-day National Response Team (NRT) Training from 15–19 June 2026 in Dare, Dili, bringing together 25 participants from its 13 branches to strengthen disaster preparedness and emergency response capacity across Timor-Leste.
As disasters and emergencies continue to affect vulnerable communities, strengthening the skills and readiness of response teams remains a key priority for CVTL. The training aimed to enhance participants’ knowledge, strengthen technical competencies, improve coordination mechanisms, and ensure preparedness to provide timely, effective, and accountable humanitarian assistance during emergencies.
A total of 25 participants, including 12 females and 13 males, took part in interactive learning sessions, group discussions, practical exercises, and simulation activities designed to strengthen their operational readiness and response capabilities.
Opening the training, Mr. Agapito da Silva, Secretary General of CVTL, highlighted the importance of investing in skilled and well-prepared response teams. “A strong and capable National Response Team is essential to ensuring that CVTL can respond quickly and effectively when disasters occur. Through this training, participants are strengthening the skills and knowledge needed to support communities in times of crisis,” he said.
The training covered a wide range of topics, including emergency assessment and planning, evacuation procedures, relief distribution, logistics management, reporting, Protection, Gender and Inclusion (PGI), Community Engagement and Accountability (CEA), early warning systems, and disaster response coordination. Participants also strengthened their understanding of international humanitarian standards, including the SPHERE Standards.
The training was facilitated by experienced disaster management facilitators and technical experts from across the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including Mr. Jerome Conahap from the Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS), Mr. Dwie Handoko Wibisono from the Indonesia Red Cross (PMI), Mr. Md. Sukrin Sufian Md. Suni from the Brunei Red Crescent (BRC), Mr. Macario Lopes (IFRC), and Mr. Edwin Siahaan (IFRC) and Mr. Mariano Ana Lopes, from Civil Protection Authority (CPA). Their expertise and practical experiences from disaster response operations across the region enriched participants’ learning and strengthened their understanding of humanitarian response practices.
Mr. T. Khairil Azmi, IFRC Disaster Risk Management Coordinator for Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, Malaysia, and Timor-Leste, commended participants for their commitment and active engagement throughout the training. “The dedication demonstrated by participants throughout this training reflects CVTL’s commitment to strengthening local response capacity. We have seen strong progress in teamwork, coordination, and the application of humanitarian response standards,” he said.
Participants also shared positive reflections on the training experience. Mrs. Pascoela Caldas from the CVTL Dili Branch said that the practical exercises increased her confidence and strengthened her understanding of emergency response procedures. “This training has provided valuable knowledge and practical skills that will help me respond more effectively during emergencies and support communities in need,” she said.
Mr. Livorio Sarmento from the CVTL Manatuto Branch highlighted the value of simulation exercises in strengthening preparedness and teamwork. “The simulations helped us better understand how to coordinate and work together during emergencies. The experience was both challenging and highly beneficial,” he said.
The training concluded with comprehensive simulation exercises and evaluations that allowed participants to apply their learning in realistic emergency scenarios. The exercises demonstrated improved skills in coordination, assessment, communication, and response planning, reflecting participants’ enhanced readiness to support emergency operations.
Through continued investment in volunteer and staff development, CVTL remains committed to strengthening local response capacity and ensuring that vulnerable communities across Timor-Leste receive timely, effective, and accountable humanitarian assistance when disasters occur.
This training was made possible through the generous support of the American Red Cross (AmCross) and technical collaboration from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Indonesia Red Cross (PMI), Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS), Brunei Red Crescent (BRC), and the Civil Protection Authority (CPA).
