Dili, 9–11 December 2025 — Following the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed one month ago between Cruz Vermelha de Timor-Leste (CVTL) and the National University of Timor-Leste (UNTL), CVTL conducted a three-day training on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Emergency Situation Response for students from UNTL’s Faculty of Engineering, Science and Technology.
The training took place at the CVTL National Headquarters in Formosa, Dili, and involved 18 students (4 female and 14 male) from the Departments of Civil Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Informatics Engineering, and Geology and Petroleum Engineering.
The opening ceremony was attended and officially opened by Mr. Agapito Soares, Secretary General of CVTL, and Mr. Domingos de Sousa Freitas, Deputy Dean for Cooperation and Research Affairs and Chief of the Cooperation Unit of FECT–UNTL. In his opening remarks, Mr. Agapito Soares emphasized that the training represents a direct continuation of the MoU agreement, highlighting the importance of joint efforts between CVTL and UNTL to prepare human resources capable of responding effectively to emergencies and disasters. He also stressed the shared responsibility to strengthen prevention and mitigation efforts before disasters occur.
The training was facilitated by the CVTL Disaster Management Department, focusing on practical and theoretical aspects of disaster preparedness, risk reduction, and emergency response. On the first day, Mr. Cesario da Silva Marques, Director of the Office of External Relations and Communications (APC), delivered a session on the legal framework for disaster management, covering the Civil Protection Law and the Decree-Law establishing the Civil Protection Authority.
This initiative reflects the strong collaboration between CVTL and UNTL in building the capacity of future professionals to contribute to national disaster management efforts. The activity was supported by the Australian Red Cross (ARC).
