Dili, 13th March, 2024 – Today is the official launch of the Cruz Vermelha de Timor-Leste (CVTL)’s program on “Strengthening Disaster Readiness and Response in Timor-Leste”. This is a joint program with the Timor-Leste Government though the Civil Protection Authority (CPA).
In a bid to strengthen Timor-Leste’s resilience against disasters, CVTL is partnering with American Red Cross and IFRC for this program to be implemented from 2024 to 2026.
The overarching objective of the program is to mitigate the impact of both natural and climate-induced disasters by bolstering community preparedness and institutional readiness. This will be achieved through boosting disaster management capacities, local risk governance entities, and institutional strengthening efforts of CVTL. The initiative also seeks to foster improved coordination and collaboration with various stakeholders to optimize disaster risk reduction, anticipatory action, and response strategies.
CVTL President, Ms Madalena Hanjam, shared that “This important program will be implemented in six villages across three municipalities Bobonaro, Covalima, and Ermera, at the community level while the broader components will strengthen branch capacities and national response readiness capacities. Timor-Leste remains highly vulnerable to natural hazards and climate risks and this three-pronged strategy focusing on community disaster preparedness, institutional level preparedness at branch and national levels, and strengthening CVTL’s position in the broader disaster management landscape of the country.”
Mr. Achala Navaratne, Regional Director for Asia Pacific, from American Red Cross highlighted that “As communities are at the frontline of natural hazard events, this program will prioritize building the preparedness of communities and their local governments and actors in dealing with natural disasters. We are excited to be partnering with CVTL and Timor-Leste for such an important initiative and hope that this will set the foundation for a long-standing relationship that will truly strengthen the communities and local entity capacities in being prepared for future natural disasters”.
Attending this official launch was United States Ambassador, H.E. Marc Weinstock; Secretary of State for Civil Protection – H.E. Domingos Mariano Reis; Chair of the Board of Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies (MACP), Christy Morse; Mr. Achala Navaratne, Regional Director for Asia Pacific, from American Red Cross; CVTL President, Ms. Madalena Hanjam; and Mr Luis Pedro Pinto – CVTL Secretary General.
The program is supported by Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies (MACP), American Red Cross and IFRC through funding and technical engagements underscoring the commitment to investing in the safety and resilience of Timor-Leste. With this initiative poised to unfold over the next three years, the collaboration between CVTL and these partners signals a proactive step towards building a more prepared and responsive community in the face of potential disasters.
Please contact CVTL Secretary General Luis Pedro Pinto lpedro_cvtl@redcross.tl or Emidia Belo, CVTL Disaster Management Coordinator for further information on +670 77337753 or emidiabelo_cvtl@redcross.tl
