22–23 July 2026 | Dili, Timor-Leste: The Timor-Leste Red Cross (Cruz Vermelha de Timor-Leste – CVTL), through its Disaster Management Department, successfully conducted a two-day Protection, Gender Equality and Inclusion (PGI) training on 22–23 July 2026 at the CVTL National Headquarters in Formosa, Dili.
The training brought together 16 CVTL staff and volunteers from the branches of Covalima, Manufahi, Manatuto, Oe-Cusse, and Viqueque, including 6 women and 10 men. The programme aimed to strengthen participants’ knowledge and capacity to integrate PGI principles into humanitarian action and disaster response, ensuring that assistance reaches everyone in a safe, inclusive, and dignified manner.
During the opening ceremony, Mr. João Pinto, Interim Secretary General of CVTL, highlighted the importance of mainstreaming PGI across all humanitarian programmes. “The objective of this training is to strengthen the knowledge and capacity of participants to integrate Protection, Gender Equality and Inclusion in humanitarian action and disaster response,” he said.
Throughout the two-day training, participants explored key topics including protection, gender equality, inclusion, gender-based violence (GBV), and child protection. The sessions enhanced participants’ understanding of how to identify and address the diverse needs of vulnerable people before, during, and after emergencies.
The training was facilitated with technical support from the Secretariat of State for Inclusion (SEI), represented by Mr. Abilio Camões; the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), represented by Mrs. Celestine Shantana; and the CVTL PGI Focal Point. Their contributions reinforced the commitment to promoting humanitarian assistance that is safe, inclusive, and respectful of the dignity of all people.
This training was funded through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF), supporting CVTL’s efforts to build stronger capacities for inclusive and people-centred humanitarian action across Timor-Leste.
