DILI, 12 April 2021 (TATOLI)— The Humanitarian Support from Australia arrived at the Nicolau Lobato International Airport yesterday transported via Air north at 12:30 Timor-Leste hour.
The Secretary of State for Civil Protection, Joaquim Gusmão said, the items including the basic needs for the victims affected by the floods.
“The supports are coming from Australian Veteran, INTERFET also including the Australia people and the Timorese Community in Australia, Darwin,” he said.
The Australian Veteran also committed to providing humanitarian supports to Timor-Leste in the short term.
“This support is the first support and they will continue to ask their government to provide the support to the community in Timor-Leste who have been affected by the natural calamity,” he said.
These supports will be handed over to the Department of Disaster Management Risk and the State Secretary for Civil Protection (SEPS) to distribute to the victims.
Following the Document released from Timor-Leste Embassy in Australia, the supports are provided from the Timorese in Darwin and Portuguese, as well as the Australian Community, bring together the drugs and other essential types of equipment in 70 boxes.
This initiative comes from, Australian veterans who have been organized and charted the flight to transport these supports to Dili, without support from the government of Australia.
The Coordinator of Former Major Australian and Honorary Consul of Queensland, Michael Stone said, they find a different way to immediately support the Timorese People, to reduce the suffering from losing their homes, household materials.
This support coming from many veterans including Australian people, as they have followed up on the situation in Timor-Leste.
Mr. Stone said he feels upset and pain about seeing the cost of the Timorese people.
“Timor-Leste and Australia are good friends, with that we will try to ask the support from international to support the second public calamity,” he said.
His part, he has been following the situation that many Timorese people are facing today, most people are still living inside the mud.
“This kind of situation will bring many diseases and we don’t want to let it happen. You are not alone and we will not feel tired to find another way to support, because we love you. Stay safe, stay secure, and be aware of the coronavirus because this is a serious disease, we will overcome the challenges together,” he said.
On the other hand, the Ambassador of Timor-Leste to Australia, Inês Almeida, acknowledges and values the greatest efforts from the Timorese in Australia and Appreciating the special solidarity from a friendship between Australia and the Portuguese in this difficult time.
“This is a great solidarity example of Australia people, Australian Veterans and The INTERFET ” she said.
There is nothing that will break the special relationship between the solidarity of Australian People and the people of Timor-Leste.
Journalist: Natalino Costa
Editor: Julia Chatarina
