DILI, 01 December 2025 (TATOLI) – The Government of Timor-Leste has extended its deep solidarity to the people and governments of Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Malaysia, as well as other Southeast Asian nations struck by severe floods and landslides that have left more than a thousand people dead, hundreds missing and hundreds of thousands displaced in recent days.
The floods and landslides sweeping across Southeast Asia mark one of the region’s most devastating disasters in recent years. Rescue and relief operations are ongoing across several countries, while authorities continue searching for missing people. Indonesia—particularly the island of Sumatra—has reported the highest number of deaths and disappearances, along with widespread destruction of infrastructure and isolated communities. Sri Lanka, Thailand and Malaysia have declared emergency situations in multiple areas, where millions face major losses, thousands have sought refuge in temporary shelters, and disruptions persist in essential services, schooling and livelihoods.
Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, speaking “on behalf of the Government and people of Timor-Leste,” expressed his “deep sorrow and solidarity with the populations of Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Thailand, who are suffering as a result of recent extreme tropical storms that triggered devastating floods and landslides.”
He noted that “the loss of human life and the displacement of entire communities are tragic and deeply painful. We are profoundly distressed by the scale of this catastrophe, and the images of widespread flooding and displaced families have been received with great sadness in Timor-Leste.”
Government Spokesperson and Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Agio Pereira, added that “in this difficult moment, our thoughts are with the victims and their families, and we commend all those who remain committed to finding survivors and supporting affected communities.”
The Government of Timor-Leste reaffirmed its confidence that “with the strength and resilience of their peoples, these nations will recover and rebuild. Timor-Leste stands in solidarity with our brothers and sisters across Asia in this time of grief and reconstruction.”
TATOLI
