Dili, November 27, 2025 (Média Democracia) – The Disaster READY Project (DRP), an important component of the Australia Humanitarian Partnership (AHP), held its Semi-Annual Reflection Workshop to review progress, share best practices, and identify opportunities to strengthen disaster preparedness and resilience in Timor-Leste.
According to the President of the Civil Protection Authority (APC), Jesuíno dos Reis de Matos Carvalho, today’s workshop focused in reflecting on the semi-annual implementation of the Disaster Ready Project in Timor-Leste.
“Our country, Timor-Leste, is extremely vulnerable to natural disasters such as floods, landslides, prolonged drought, and strong winds, which have increased in frequency and intensity due to climate change. The floods in 2021 showed us that such events can bring significant negative impacts to communities, our infrastructure, and our economy,” said the President of the Civil Protection Authority (APC), Jesuíno dos Reis de Matos Carvalho.
He stated that the semi-annual reflection workshop for the Disaster Ready Project, organized by the AHP Consortium, aims to gather project partners and participants to reflect on progress and lessons learned, in order to improve strategies for resilience and disaster risk management in the future.
“This Semi-Annual Reflection Workshop on the implementation of the Disaster Ready Project aims to gather feedback from executive institutions regarding progress, weaknesses, and recommendations to guide the next steps of the project,” the APC President added.
The APC expressed pride in collaborating with DFAT and the AHP Consortium to oversee the Disaster Ready Project being implemented in targeted areas, in accordance with project planning, to minimize the impacts of climate change in Timor-Leste.
He also expressed gratitude to DFAT, the AHP Consortium, the Country Coordinator, and all partners who participated in the workshop and contributed in developing sustainable strategies for the Disaster Ready Project through local authorities and communities.
“With this joint effort, we have taken an important step toward a more resilient Timor-Leste. We will continue to deepen our understanding of the impacts of climate change and contribute to reducing disaster risk across the country,” he said.
Meanwhile, AHP’s Communication and Liaison Manager, Aprilia de Jesus, affirmed that the Disaster READY Project, implemented through a consortium of five Australian NGOs led by CARE in Timor-Leste, includes the HANA’I Consortium (represented by Caritas Australia together with ADRA, Church World Service, and Fundasaun Sosial Naroman), Oxfam in Timor-Leste, Plan International (together with ChildFund), and World Vision Timor-Leste. This initiative works closely with the Civil Protection Authority (APC) through the Ministry of Interior and Ra’es Hadomi Timor Oan (RHTO), a national organization for persons with disabilities.
“This workshop serves as a platform for stakeholders to reflect on achievements since the last session in May 2025, address challenges, and provide recommendations to ensure the project remains relevant and effective.” She said
Key focus areas include promoting inclusion, strengthening dedicated working groups on Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI), and identifying practical ways to improve women’s and people with disabilities’ participation in disaster-related activities. Strengthening local governance, reviewing the roles and sustainability of Village Disaster Management Committees (KIDS), and identifying best practices that can be replicated to build community resilience with government leadership. Localization efforts also reflect on how Disaster READY supports local civil society partners in strengthening institutional and technical capacity for effective disaster preparedness and climate adaptation.
“The program’s innovation session highlights successful approaches from consortium agencies, including savings and loan groups, community dialogues/Community Score Card, church engagement, anticipatory actions, and Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA),” said Aprilia de Jesus.
She emphasized that key partners participating in the workshop include CARE in Timor-Leste, Caritas Australia, Oxfam in Timor-Leste, PLAN International, World Vision Timor-Leste, ChildFund, ADRA Timor-Leste, Church World Service (CWS), Ra’es Hadomi Timor Oan, Fundasaun Knua Haberan Comunidade, Fundasaun Sosiál Naroman, Sharis Haburas Comunidade, Kadalak Sulimutuk Institute, Mata Dalan Institute, Masine Neo Oe-Cusse, Asosiasaun Futuru Foinsae ba Sustentabilidade, Bunibu Faef Nome, Maubisse Hametin Futuru, FRATERNA, Hametin Asaun Dezenvolvimentu Edukasaun no Ekonomia Rural, and the Geographic Information System Group. Government representatives from the Civil Protection Authority at national and subnational levels, DFAT officials from the Australian Embassy in Dili, and local leaders were also present.
Through the Disaster READY Project, the Australian Government supports communities and the Government of Timor-Leste to strengthen disaster preparedness and response initiatives. The insights and recommendations gathered during this workshop will guide project implementation plans to ensure activities remain effective and relevant in the coming years.
Reporter: Tomas
Photo: Tomas