COVID-19 made many technological changes in our lives; Cruz Vermelha de Timor-Leste (Timor-Leste Red Cross – CVTL) was no different. Lockdowns and restricted travel, made us see the need to adapt to new technologies. Zoom meetings became a regular mode of communications with Partners and colleagues.
Over the past 12-months, CVTL has continued with this adaptation with the modern technologies by launching and migrating its Microsoft 365 Digital System. This was accompanied by the provision of 26 laptops and computers to all of our 13 branches, (each branch obtaining getting a laptop and computer), making it easier to work in the field.
“Geographically, our access to the municipalities is problematic; bad roads, long distances, often difficult weather conditions. We use a slow manual process, which included hand delivering reports to the Head Office for processing. This took a lot of time and resources. By implementing a good digital system, it will improve our working conditions, increase efficiency and productivity, and also save time and money, “said CVTL Secretary General, Mr. Luis Pedro Pinto.
“We are excited that we are moving into the future. Even though we are a small poor country – we too can become digital, efficient and cost saving. We are grateful to our donor Australian Red Cross (as the main partner) who has helped make this happen and we thank them for their support. We have had a long cooperation with ARC who is committed in supporting CVTL to become a strong and sustainable organization,” concluded Mr. Pedro.
The training was attended by the Coordinator and Branch Operational Officer from all 13 of CVTL’s branches. These 26 participants, were trained by CVTL’s IT Specialist from 17 to 20 August 2023.
CVTL is a humanitarian organization that are an auxiliary to the government of Timor-Leste, and was legally in 2005 (Decree- Law no.6/2005 as a Red Cross National Society, with a vision to saving lives and improving the quality of life of the vulnerable people, without any compensation. Part of CVTL’s Strategic Plan (2020 – 2024) is to decentralize and strengthen its branches, through human resources development, infrastructure improvement, and other resources. #End
