On October 7th, 2024, a devastating fire destroyed a family home in Koubauro Hamlet, Seloi Malere Village, Aileu Municipality. The fire, which affected two households with a total of 10 people—3 men and 7 women—left the family with nothing but the clothes on their backs. The tragedy has deeply impacted their lives, as the fire consumed all of their belongings.
In response to this crisis, staff and volunteers from the Aileu Branch of the Timor-Leste Red Cross (CVTL) quickly mobilized to provide immediate relief. They delivered essential food and non-food items to the victims to help them navigate this incredibly difficult time. The swift intervention of CVTL brought some relief to the affected family as they begin to rebuild their lives.
Mr. Alvaro de Jesus and Ms. Maria, who were among the beneficiaries of the support, expressed their gratitude to CVTL. “We are thankful for this kind support,” said Mr. de Jesus, “even though it doesn’t fully meet all our needs because we have lost everything.” Their words reflect the immense challenge they face in recovering from the disaster.
Though the support provided cannot replace all that was lost, CVTL’s assistance offers a critical lifeline for the family as they work to overcome the devastation caused by the fire. The incident underscores the importance of community solidarity and timely humanitarian aid in moments of crisis.