DILI, 10 may 2024 (TATOLI) – Counsellor for Human Development of the Australian Embassy in Dili, Rebecca Dodd, and Secretary of State for Civil Protection, Domingos Mariano Reis, launched the Australian Humanitarian Partnership initiatives to support communities prepare for and respond to the impacts of extreme weather.
This work is part of the long-running Disaster READY program, supported by Australia.
Since january 2024, communities across Timor-Leste have received additional support to manage the ongoing effects of El Niño and prepare for the risks of future extreme weather events.
This work will help to build the resilience of communities and support those who are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
The initiatives have financial support from the Australian Government (US$1.6 million) and will be implemented by the Australian Non-Governmental Organizations CARE, Caritas, Oxfam, PLAN International, and World Vision, in collaboration with the national organization for people with disabilities Ra’es Hadomi Timor Oan, Secretary of State for Civil Protection (SEPC) and other local humanitarian partners.
The organizations responsible for implementing the project will carry out awareness-raising activities on issues related to sanitation, hygiene, and water conservation, as well as on the impacts of extreme weather events, reducing vulnerability and food insecurity, especially through agricultural assistance, improving nutrition, and distributing climate-resistant seeds.
Domingos Reis, the Secretary of State, said that these initiatives are crucial to improving disaster risk management, increasing multi-sectoral resilience, and ensuring inclusive participation in mitigating the effects of climate change.
“By the end of this year, the program this program is expected to benefit between four and six thousand people in eleven municipalities, especially people with disabilities, pregnant women and girls and children,’ Reis told journalists in Caicoli, Dili.
He added that the measures that need to be adopted to deal with climate change, such as El Niño, include reforestation, the distribution of climate-resistant seeds, as well as the preservation of water sources and investment in water resources.
Dodd said that these initiatives are essential to support communities in preparing to respond to the impacts of extreme weather conditions.
She said its crucial for communities to know the importance of of early action to reduce the impact of disasters, saying therefore, these initiatives allow stakeholders to intervene in advance of anticipated risks, which will help strengthen the resilience of communities and support the most vulnerable.
Journalist: Jose Belarmino de Sa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
