24 November 2025, Dili – The Cruz Vermelha de Timor-Leste (CVTL) welcomed an official visit from the Delegation of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), led by Mrs. Kathryn Clarkson, Head of Delegation and Representative to ASEAN, Country Cluster for Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam, Singapore, and Timor-Leste. The visit marked Mrs. Clarkson’s return to Timor-Leste after ten years.
During the mission, IFRC and CVTL held strategic discussions on the CVTL Plan and Strategy 2025–2029, focusing on strengthening cooperation, capacity building, and future organizational priorities. The exchange provided an important opportunity to reinforce coordination between the two institutions to ensure the continued improvement of humanitarian services delivered to communities across Timor-Leste.
Mrs. Clarkson expressed her appreciation and personal connection to CVTL, saying she was “very emotional returning to Timor and Cruz Vermelha de Timor-Leste after 10 years. Privileged to reconnect with old friends from CVTL in my new role and work again with such a principled and impactful organization, where so many humanitarian needs still exist in the community.” She also shared her joy in seeing many of the young volunteers and staff she once worked with now serving in senior leadership roles, including Maun Agapito, Maun Joao, Mana Vidi, Mana Emi, and others.
The meeting concluded with a warm dinner where both sides reflected on past collaboration, renewed partnerships, and discussed pathways for stronger support toward CVTL’s future development.
CVTL expressed our deep appreciation for IFRC’s ongoing cooperation and reaffirmed our commitment to advancing humanitarian services for communities throughout Timor-Leste.
