Dili, November 14-15, 2024 – The Cruz Vermelha de Timor-Leste (CVTL) convened a landmark two-day partnership meeting in Dili, bringing together representatives from National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, NGOs, and key partners. Under the theme “Through Common Responsibility to Joint Investments in Communities,” the meeting aimed to enhance partnerships and align efforts toward supporting vulnerable communities in Timor-Leste.
The event commenced with opening remarks by Mr. Joaquim da Costa Freitas, Coordinator of Gabinete Support Civil Societies (GASC), alongside distinguished speakers Mr. Herve Gazeau, IFRC Regional Head of Strategic Partnerships and Resource Mobilization, and Mr. Johan Guillaume, ICRC Deputy Head of Regional Delegation for Indonesia and Timor-Leste. Their addresses underscored the critical role of collaboration in achieving sustainable impact across the nation.
CVTL President, Ms. Madalena Hanjam, emphasised the importance of the meeting, saying, “This is a key opportunity to align efforts with our partners, making a greater impact on vulnerable communities across Timor-Leste. We will highlight CVTL’s achievements, sharing voices, best practices, and lessons learned.” The gathering underscored CVTL’s commitment to organization development, disaster risk reduction, health, youth, and resilience programs.
Participants included representatives from National Societies of the Australia, America, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, and Singapore, as well as the ICRC, IFRC, international and local NGOs, government officials, and CVTL leadership. Together, they explored strategies to expand CVTL’s reach and deepen its impact in vulnerable communities.
A significant highlight of the event was the launch of CVTL’s Strategic Plan for the next five years. This roadmap outlines CVTL’s mission to empower communities with enhanced resilience, ensuring that support reaches those most in need. “This Strategic Plan will guide us in building stronger communities and fostering sustainable development,” Ms. Hanjam added.
The Australian Red Cross played a pivotal role in the event’s success, providing extensive support to ensure productive discussions and collaborations. CVTL expressed heartfelt gratitude for their contribution and continued partnership.
The meeting concluded with renewed commitments to joint investments in community resilience, affirming that through collaboration and shared responsibility, greater strides can be made in creating a brighter future for Timor-Leste’s most vulnerable populations.
