DILI, 23 december 2024 (TATOLI) – This month, the Timor-Leste Government took an important step to strengthen emergency response capabilities, and at a crucial time, as the rainy season begins, and the country has experienced flooding and landslides during this period in the past years.
From December 9 to 12, almost 50 participants from various institutions and organizations gathered in Same, Manufahi Municipality, to participate in the Humanitarian Simulation Exercise (SimEx), co-hosted by the Civil Protection Authority (CPA), in partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP) and supported by the Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
“This exercise helps maintain quick and effective decision-making coordination and strengthens our Early Warning System. The support from USAID has been crucial in ensuring that our country’s preparedness and response capabilities are enhanced,” said Mr. Jesuino dos Reis Matos Carvalho, President of the Civil Protection Authority.
Over the course of three days, participants at the national level and from the municipalities of Baucau, Lautem, Manufahi, Oecusse, and Viqueque, received training and acquired skills in emergency logistics response and supply chain management during crises and natural disasters.
Additionally, participants engaged in practical exercises that simulated real and sudden scenarios, familiarising the participants with existing national tools, processes, and procedures.
“I am delighted to see over 80 participants and facilitators from different organizations come together to train and practice emergency logistics, promoting collaborative multi-actor coordination and refining the roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders during emergency responses,” stated Jacqueline de Groot, WFP Representative in Timor-Leste, during her speech at the inauguration session.
The SimEx is a large-scale operational exercise designed to simulate emergency logistics responses, conducted in different countries worldwide, including Sri Lanka, Malawi, and Colombia. In Timor-Leste, participants praised the event for fostering strong coordination, improving information-sharing practices, and enhancing their ability to respond more effectively to humanitarian needs.
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