Dili, 6 March 2026 – The Cruz Vermelha de Timor-Leste (CVTL) conducted a two-day Emergency Response Readiness Workshop on the Disaster Response Emergency Fund (IFRC-DREF) from 5–6 March 2026 at the CVTL National Headquarters in Formosa, Dili.
The workshop was officially opened by CVTL Secretary-General Agapito da Silva, together with Sarah Mohammad Iqbal, IFRC-DREF Coordinator for the Asia Pacific Region, and Edwin Siahaan, IFRC-DREF Operations Coordinator for the Asia Pacific Region.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Agapito emphasized that the workshop aimed to strengthen the preparedness and response capacity of CVTL department coordinators, managers, representatives of the Regions I, II, III, and IV, and branch coordinator of Baucau, Dili, Bobonaro, and Ainaro Municipality.
“The workshop is designed to enhance the ability of our teams to effectively prepare for and respond to emergencies, particularly by improving understanding and use of the Disaster Response Emergency Fund (IFRC-DREF) mechanism to support humanitarian response operations,” said Mr. Agapito.
During the opening session, Ms. Sarah Mohammad Iqbal highlighted the importance of strengthening local capacity within National Societies to respond quickly to disasters and health emergencies. She noted that through presentations, group discussions, and practical exercises, participants explored IFRC-DREF procedures, emergency response planning, and coordination mechanisms.
“These sessions are designed to help CVTL enhance its preparedness so it can provide timely and effective support to communities affected by disasters and health crises,” she said.
The workshop sessions were facilitated by Ms. Sarah Mohammad Iqbal and Mr. Edwin Siahaan from IFRC-DREF, together with Amy McLachlan, Senior Manager for Asia and Global at the Australian Red Cross.
The training represents an important step in strengthening CVTL’s emergency response systems and ensuring that staff and volunteers are well-equipped to respond effectively to humanitarian needs across Timor-Leste.
