Ermera, 12 June 2026 – Cruz Vermelha de Timor-Leste (CVTL), through its Strengthening Disaster Readiness and Response (SDRR) Program and with the generous support of the American Red Cross, distributed Ready Bags to 410 beneficiaries from Railia, Raebou, Leulura, Ahigara, and Olekata Sub-Villages, Leimea-Leten Village, Atsabe Administrative Post, Ermera Municipality, from 10–12 June 2026.
The initiative aimed to help families safely store important documents and essential items, while strengthening household preparedness and community resilience to disasters and emergency situations. The Ready Bags serve as a practical preparedness tool, enabling families to keep critical documents and emergency essentials protected and easily accessible when disasters occur.
In addition to the distribution, the SDRR team conducted monitoring visits to assess community preparedness and the use of Ready Bags previously distributed. The monitoring activity provided an opportunity to engage directly with community members and reinforce the importance of disaster preparedness at the household level.
According to Mr. João, SDRR Project Officer, preparedness begins within families and communities. “The Ready Bag is a simple but important preparedness tool that helps families protect essential documents and belongings during emergencies. Through the support of the American Red Cross and the implementation of the SDRR Program, CVTL continues to strengthen community resilience and ensure that vulnerable communities are better prepared to respond to disasters,” he said.
Representing the beneficiaries, Mr. Domingos da Costa expressed his appreciation to CVTL and its partner for the support provided. “On behalf of our communities, we sincerely thank Cruz Vermelha de Timor-Leste and the American Red Cross for distributing the Ready Bags. This support will help our families keep important documents safe and improve our preparedness to face future disasters and emergencies,” he said.
This activity reflects the strong partnership between CVTL and the American Red Cross in supporting vulnerable communities across Timor-Leste. Through the SDRR Program, CVTL continues to work closely with communities, local authorities, and partners to promote a culture of preparedness, reduce disaster risks, and strengthen resilience for a safer future.
