Dili, 17-24 June 2025 – The Cruz Vermelha de Timor-Leste (CVTL) proudly marked its 25th Anniversary with a vibrant week of exhibitions, competitions, forums, and community engagement activities, highlighting a quarter-century of unwavering commitment to humanitarian service across the country.
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In a special two-day exhibition held on 17–18 June at the CVTL National Office, key partners and stakeholders came together to showcase their contributions to public health, disaster preparedness, first aid, and community resilience. The exhibition featured participation from a wide range of organizations, including national and international NGOs and government institutions such as the Ministry of Health, Dili Municipal Health Service (SSM-Dili), Vera Cruz Health Centre, National Blood Bank – HNGV, Civil Protection Authority (APC), DNMG, Menzies-Timor-Leste, WHO, CRS, and Youth of the Street.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Agapito Soares, Acting Secretary General of CVTL, stated, “As part of our 25th Anniversary, we are not only celebrating our past but also showcasing the strength of our partnerships and commitment to communities through this weeklong expo.”
The expo included a wide range of events, including free health checks conducted in partnership with Menzies School of Health Research, WHO, and the Vera Cruz Health Centre, and a blood donation campaign in collaboration with the HNGV Blood Bank to encourage more voluntary blood donors.
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CVTL also organized a Youth Design Competition, inviting young volunteers from its branches in Aileu, Dili, Ermera, Liquiçá, and Manatuto to express their creativity in celebrating humanitarian values. The winners were:
- 1st Place: Geovanio P. R. F. (CVTL Dili Branch)
- 2nd Place: Brigita Kanaya de Jesus (Liquiçá Branch)
- 3rd Place: Leandro Gonçalves (Liquiçá Branch)
- 4th Place: Luciano S. De Carvalho (Manatuto Branch)
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art of the week of events is a Design competition for CVTL Youth volunteers
On 18 June, CVTL hosted a public outreach program on national TV (RTTL) with a “Kaffe Dader” talk show led by Mrs. Vidiana Xareal, CVTL’s External Relations Coordinator and President of the Event Committee. The program highlighted CVTL’s history, mission, and achievements. CVTL hosted a public outreach program on national TV (RTTL) with a “Kaffe Dader” talk show led by Mrs. Vidiana Xareal,
Later that afternoon, a Humanitarian Diplomacy Forum was held under the theme “Strengthening Humanitarian Diplomacy to Support the Most Vulnerable in Timor-Leste”. Distinguished speakers included Dr. Andrezinho Belo (Founder of SABEH) and Mr. Vicquiano Gama Fonseca (Environmental Conservation Coordinator, CETL). CVTL held the Humanitarian Diplomacy Forum Discussion
Continuing the festivities, on 23 June, CVTL hosted a Thanksgiving Mass at the Cathedral Church in Dili. The mass was attended by CVTL staff, volunteers, and founders, including CVTL President Ms. Madalena Soares Hanjam and Secretary General Mr. Luis Pedro Pinto.
Following the mass, a Digitalization Competition featured young volunteers from Baucau, Likisa, Manufahi, and Oecussi branches. The winners were:
- 1st Place; Oecussi Branch
- 2nd Place; Manufahi Branch
- 3rd Place; Likisa Branch
- 4th Place Baucau Branch
The main anniversary celebration took place on 24 June 2025, with hundreds of attendees joining the event under the theme “Keeping Humanity Alive.” The ceremony reflected on CVTL’s origins, founded shortly after Timor-Leste’s independence, and celebrated its enduring legacy of service across all 13 municipalities.
- Mr. Jesuíno dos Reis de Matos Carvalho, President of the Civil Protection Authority (APC)
- Ms. Madalena Soares Hanjam, CVTL President
- Ms. Tetty Marlina Rajagukguk, IFRC Representative Country Cluster Delegate – CCD Jakarta
- Mr. João Martins Alves, Head of ICRC office in Dili
- Mr. Francisco Ximenes, CVTL Founder
Speeches from APC, IFRC, and ICRC congratulated CVTL on its 25 years of existence and acknowledged its continued strength and sustainability as a humanitarian organization serving vulnerable communities throughout Timor-Leste.
In the speech delivered by the CVTL President and a representative of the founders, they stated: “We remember and honor those who once worked alongside us and dedicated themselves to CVTL who are no longer with us. Twenty-five years later, we are still here a strong organization operating across all 13 municipalities in Timor-Leste. Thank you to everyone our donors, partners, staff, and especially our volunteers, both past and present for your unwavering support.”
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Happy 25th Anniversary CVTL – today we proudly celebrated CVTL’s birthday
The event featured a video presentation on CVTL’s history, prize distributions for competition winners, and recognition of those who have contributed to CVTL’s success.
This celebration was made possible with the support of the Australian Red Cross (ARC), ICRC, and CVTL’s own resources, alongside the dedicated work of the organizing committee, staff, and volunteers.
“As we look ahead, we remain committed to strengthening our humanitarian mission. Thank you to our founders, partners, staff, and especially our volunteers – past and present – who continue to make CVTL a beacon of hope in Timor-Leste,” said the closing statement from CVTL President Ms. Madalena Soares Hanjam and Secretary General Mr. Luis Pedro Pinto.
