DILI, 19 january 2024 (TATOLI) – The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) expressed commitment to support the Secretary of State for Civil Protection (SoSCP) in strengthening Timor-Leste’s disaster preparedness.
Timor-Leste is one of the most vulnerable countries to natural disasters and has limited fiscal space to deal with climate change shocks.
On thursday, the Acting Director of USAID, Mark White, met with the Secretary of State for Civil Protection, Domingos Mariano Reis, to discuss future collaboration to strengthen the country’s disaster preparedness.
During the meeting, Reis informed the Acting Director of USAID about SoSCP’s natural disaster response and recovery program.
Reis said that USAID has committed to supporting the Civil Protection Authority (CPA) with financial assistance to organize Disaster Preparedness and Response Training in the near future.
“Disaster Preparedness and Response Training is crucial to prepare our team to be well equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to support victims of natural disasters in the future,” explained Reis.
Reis informed that USAID is willing to support Timor-Leste with US$1.2 million through IOM to help the CPA respond to emergencies during natural disasters in the future: “USAID will also support the CPA with US$500,000 to support the CPA’s Disaster Preparedness and Response Training.”
Journalist: José Belarmino De Sá
Editor: Filomeno Martins
