DILI, 05 jully 2023 (TATOLI)-Flash floods and landslides from monsoonal rains in several municipalities in Timor-Leste, Lautém, Ainaro, Covalima, and Manufahi, destroyed bridges and damaged roads, while some people were displaced and some went missing.
The people have gone missing, including four children who were swept away by the water shortly after returning from schools in Lereadu and Lautém. Meanwhile, the authority has not recorded how many victims have been injured by this natural disaster.
Following this situation, Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão invites the Ministry of Public Work, the National Institution on the Management of Heavy Equipment, and the Ministry of Social Solidarity and Inclusion to provide emergency response to the victims affected by Natural Disasters and to improve their disaster response capacity.
“Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão instructed the MoPW and NIoHEM to intervene in the disaster situation. The instruction will be focused on people who live in areas prone to disasters. The task force team is on the field to help the victims affected by natural disasters,” Minister of Public Work Samuel Marçal told journalists after a council minister meeting in Government Palace, Dili, tuesday.
According to Marçal, heavy rain and massive floods across several regions in Timor-Leste destroyed a number of bridges and roads.
Therefore, at the meeting, he said, the Prime Minister also called on the relevant institutions to mobilize heavy equipment to respond to the risk areas and main roads affected by the flash flood: The Ministry of Public Work has sent the task force team composed of the Ministry of Public Work and the team from the National Institution on the Management of Heavy Equipment to the Molo village, Post Administrative of Hatubuilico, and landslides blocked roads in Aitutu Maubissi Ainaru municipality, Lautem, and Same Hola Rua.”
“In addition, the team will gather the data from the community affected by the disasters to provide emergency support, including the data on the destruction of roads and bridges.”
The team also works closely with the Timor-Leste National Police (PNTL) and Fireman Institutions.
Journalist: José Belarmino De Sá
Editor: Nelia B.
