Covalima, 7 June 2024 – In the wake of heavy rains, the Municipality of Covalima faced severe flooding, significantly impacting Suai Loro Village. The relentless downpour caused water levels to rise rapidly, inundating homes and displacing residents.
Responding swiftly to the disaster, the Timor-Leste Red Cross, in collaboration with CVTL’s disaster response team in the Covalima Branch, took immediate action. Coordinating efforts with the Civil Protection Authority (APC), the National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL), the Fire Institution, and the Covalima Municipality’s Disaster Management Team, they initiated the evacuation process for the affected population.
The combined response teams successfully relocated a total of 264 households, encompassing 524 individuals. Among the evacuees were vulnerable groups, including women, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities, all of whom were transported to the Covalima EGSP evacuation center. The evacuation was executed with urgency and precision, ensuring the safety of all residents.
At the evacuation center, the displaced individuals received essential aid, including food, water, and medical assistance. The Red Cross and other humanitarian agencies worked tirelessly to provide support, addressing both immediate needs and longer-term requirements as the community begins to recover from the devastating floods.
CVTL and the Covalima Municipality’s Disaster Management Team continue to monitor the situation closely, with plans to implement further measures to prevent future flooding and to support the return of residents to their homes once it is deemed safe. The collaborative efforts of the CVTL and the Covalima Municipality’s Disaster Management Team have been instrumental in mitigating the disaster’s impact and providing a lifeline to those affected.
