DILI, 12 April 2021 (TATOLI) – The Representative of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Timor-Leste Goto Ko, said the Japanese government will analyze the request of the Timorese Prime Minister, Taur Matan Ruak, regarding the support of Japanese engineers to redesign the river retaining walls across Dili.
“Regarding the Prime Minister’s statement, JICA has not yet received an official request from the government of Timor-Leste and we are analyzing the possibility of cooperation,” Jica Representative to TImor-Leste, Goto Ko,said at Nicolau Lobato International Airport, Dili.
The Prime Minister’s request came after the April 4 floods, which caused the destruction of several infrastructures and the loss of life, considering that the retaining walls do not have the necessary quality.
“The response from JICA and the Japanese government will depend on the request from the Timorese government,” he said.
He added that, the Japanese Government, through its organization, provided support for the victims affected by the floods, namely with essential goods.
Regarding the damage of infrastructure, Goto Ko said that the Government of Japan will carry out, through JICA, inspections and assessment so that it can work together with the Timor-Leste through Minister of Infrastructure (MOP).
In addition, JICA has already granted the 5,000 blankets to Timor-Leste to help flood victims.
The Chief Executive, Taur Matan Ruak, intends to ask the Japanese government for the help of its engineers in the redrawing the river walls.
“When there is heavy rain, the water flow in the streams increases and so it needs to have strong river walls,” he said.
The Timorese Government estimates that the damage caused by flooding in the country is 100 million US dollars. The floods caused more than 40 deaths and 12,378 households have been displaced – about 4,590 families were evacuated to the 43 safer place in Dili.
Journalist: Nelson Sousa
Publisher: Francisco Simoes
