DILI, 14 march 2023 (TATOLI)- International Organization for Migration (IOM) and Japan Embassy in Timor-Leste handed over 900 packs of nonfood items (NFI) and one of the mobile warehouses to the Secretary of State Civil Protection (SoSCP).
IOM chief of Mission in Timor-Leste, Ihma Shareef said this handover is part of IOM’s project, reducing Disaster Risk (DRR) and enhancing emergency preparedness in the covid-19 context for Timor-Leste, aimed at reducing disaster risk and improving Timor-Leste’s preparedness for future disaster.
“IOM handed over 900 NFI kits and one mobile warehouse, which will benefit over 4.500 individuals or even 900 households. The items will support their critical needs to improve the living conditions of vulnerable populations during displacements,’’ IOM Chief of Mission in Timor-Leste, Ihma Shareef said in her remarks in Comoro, this tuesday.
She added the Kits items composed of hygiene items, kitchen utensils, beddings, and Covid-19 prevention items, and specific items for women and girls are also provided to mitigate Gender Based Violence (GVB) risk during emergencies.
Mr. Shareef ensured that all items are aligned with the sphere standards and decree law on civil protection. Thus, the propositioned items, mobile warehouse, and capacity-building activities on NFI distributions will increase the emergency preparedness of Timor-Leste for the future crisis.
The Ambassador of Japan for Timor-Leste, Tetsuya Kimura said Japan is also a disaster–prone nation, having experienced many disasters in the past.
“I believe that japan can share the knowledge and expertise which we gained in the past. Japan is cooperating with the TL government through various projects for every cycle of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR). We find it important to address the DRR-related issues comprehensively,’’ The Ambassador of Japan for Timor-Leste, Tetsuya Kimura said
Mr. Kimura said that it is necessary to strengthen the flour disaster management cycle namely preparedness, response, recovery prevention, and mitigation.
“ The 900 NFI kits and the mobile warehouse delivered today have been implemented under the support for reducing disaster risk and enhancing emergency preparedness in the future,’’ He said.
The secretary of State of Civil Protection, Joaquim Gusmão said Timor Leste is a nation that mostly faces natural disasters in a whole year.
“Our country always encounters disaster natural in the rainy season and even in the summer or hot season. Timor-Leste needs more equipment to respond to an emergency across the territories,’’ He said
Mr. Gusmão on behalf of the government of Timor-Leste thanked the development partners composed of the Japanese Ambassador in Timor-Leste and also IOM, for generously providing NFI kits and also one mobile warehouse.
The support is provided by IOM and funded by Japanese people worth approximately 500.000 USD.
So far this NFI will be benefited over the 450.000 population.
Journalist: José Belarmino De Sá
Editor: Nelia B.
