DILI, 16 june 2021 (TATOLI) – The Secretary of State for Civil Protection (SEPS) through the National Directorate for Community Conflict Prevention (DNPKK), together with PLAN International, Timorese National Police (PNTL), and the Community Leaders, today launched a three-day early conflict prevention campaign to restore conflicts in the communities during the state of emergency and lockdown.
The aim of the three-day campaign was to disseminate conflict prevention information to the communities to prevent young people from engaging in any criminal activities in seven villages of the Dom Aleixo Administrative Post – Campo Alor, Fatuhada, Bebonuk, Madohi, Comoro, Manleuana, and Bairo Pite.
The Plan International’s Country Director, Dillyana Ximenes said that during the State of Emergency the number of conflicts and violence against children and girls continued rising, therefore, the early conflict prevention campaign was one of the ways to reduce violence against children and prevent conflict in order to restore peace in the communities.
At the same place, Dili Municipal Police Commander, Superintendent Henrique da Costa informed that over the last two months, PNTL registered 300 criminal cases, saying most of the cases were committed by young people.
“In April PNTL registered 100 criminal cases, while in May, more than 200 criminal cases were recorded by PNTL. It indicates that criminal cases rose sharply in the past two months,” said Costa.
Costa encouraged local leaders and DNPKK to immediately report to the police if they notice any suspicious criminal activities in the communities.
In addition, the Secretary of State for Civil Protection (SEPS), Joaquim José Gusmão dos Reis Martins thanked Plan International for the initiative, adding good cooperation between DNPKK, PNTL, Plan International, and Local Leader would bring a significant contribution to restoring peace in the communities through such campaign.
Plan International provided US$10,000 for the realization of the three-day campaign.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Rafy Belo
