DILI, 03 may 2022 (TATOLI) – Chargé d’affaires of the United Nations in Timor-Leste, Tom Daley, together with the Timorese National Police (PNTL), today, launched Timor-Leste’s first Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) Program.
The Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) Program was established to facilitate the officers of PNTL with special training on mine clearance, mine risk education, and management of mine action.
“I am delighted to join you to open the first-ever Humanitarian Mine Action Program in TL. I would like to offer my thanks to the Government of Timor-Leste and the Timor-Leste National Police for their support of the establishment of this program and our growing security cooperation,” Daley said at the Special Police Unit (UEP) Compound, in Dili, today.
He said the Training on HMA Program represented an important commitment of US support to PNTL’s effort to enhance the safety of the Timorese people.
“Through the humanitarian mine action program, US Marine and PNTL officers will train together to develop important skills on track recognition, location, assessment, and safe management of unexploded ordnance,” he said.
Daley said the initiative will further build PNTL capability, deepen the US-Timor-Leste partnership, and also a new economic opportunity for the Timorese people: “Those new economic opportunities are particularly noteworthy for the agricultural sector as formerly unusable land is now safe for use.“
In addition, he said: “The training program represents our commitment to strengthening our enduring partnership with Timor-Leste, which is rooted in our shared democratic values of respect for rule of law and human rights.”
At the same place, the Chief Commander of UEP, Superintendent, Orlando Gomes said the two-week training aimed to increase the capability of the UEP officers to track landmines, and explosive remnants left hidden during World War 2 and at the time of Indonesian occupation.
“We need to find the undetected ordnance because it might pose a big threat to our communities,” said Gomes.
He called on the six selected officers to use the opportunity wisely to learn new knowledge and skills during the two-week training.
Gomes thanked the US for all the support in enhancing PNTLs’ work to ensure the safety of the communities in the country.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges Rosario
