Bobonaro, 14 November 2025 – The Cruz Vermelha de Timor-Leste (CVTL) Bobonaro Branch, in collaboration with the Civil Protection Authority (APC) and the Municipal Civil Protection Service (SMPC), organized a community workshop aimed at strengthening preparedness for disaster response. The event forms part of CVTL’s ongoing work to support local communities in improving resilience to natural hazards and climate-related risks.
During the program, CVTL continued its assistance in helping communities develop key disaster management documents, including the Community Response Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), the Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment (EVCA), and the Community Action Plan (CAP). These documents serve as essential tools for guiding community-level disaster preparedness and response actions.
Senior Program Officer of AMCROSS in Timor-Leste, Mr. Antonio Abel Guterres, highlighted in his opening remarks that the workshop aimed to share and validate these documents with relevant stakeholders. Participants included Suco Disaster Risk Management Committees (SDRMC), CVTL branches, and municipal authorities, whose feedback is crucial to ensure the accuracy and consolidation of community data. He underscored the importance of the SOP, EVCA report, and CAP in strengthening coordinated disaster preparedness efforts.
The workshop brought together a wide range of participants, including representatives from the Municipal Civil Protection Authority, SMPC, Department of Agriculture (Food Security Focal Point), Water and Sanitation Department, Administrative Posts, Village Chiefs, SDRMC members, and partners such as World Vision, NGO HADER, NGO ADRO, NGO FHM, and representatives of persons with disabilities. Participants emphasized the need for joint prioritization of activities under the CAP to improve resource sharing, avoid duplication, and enhance stakeholder communication in addressing climate-related challenges.
CVTL reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining strong coordination with community leaders in Cowa and Lebos villages to further discuss mitigation and conservation actions. World Vision and the Department of Agriculture also expressed their support for CVTL in implementing livelihood initiatives in the target communities. The activity was made possible with support from the American Red Cross.
