Dili, September 20, 2025 (Média Democracia) – The Secretary of State for Civil Protection (SEPC) has provided one thousand (1000) sacks of rice to the Atauro Post-Administrative Authority, which was received directly from the Interim President of Atauro. The purpose of this rice support is to respond to vulnerable families, especially parents who are in urgent need of food. This activity was accessed by Média Democracia through SEPC’s official page on Friday.
The Secretary of State for Civil Protection, Domingos Mariano Reis, stated that the political role of the Secretariat of State for Civil Protection is to plan services and protect the citizens of Timor-Leste from disaster impacts whenever disasters occur in Timor-Leste.
“I am the Secretary of State for Civil Protection who was entrusted by the IX Constitutional Government, led by Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão. This trust was given to me as the Secretary of State for Civil Protection (SEPC), which functions as the second order within the Ministry of Interior (MI). My role in the IX Constitutional Government is to coordinate and plan in order to implement the IX Constitutional Government’s policies to address the needs of Timorese citizens affected by natural disasters across the country,” said Secretary of State for Civil Protection, Domingos Mariano Reis.
He further explained that SEPC’s mission is to serve and protect the citizens of Timor-Leste from disaster impacts, as SEPC holds the highest responsibility in this area. SEPC also runs two important programs: the National Security Program and the Institutional Functioning and Development Program, both under the IX Constitutional Government’s framework based on the Strategic Development Plan (PEDN 2011–2030).
“That is why we are present today in Atauro with this specific objective. We all know Timor-Leste also faces the issue of climate change, as already highlighted by the Interim President, who said that Atauro is geographically unproductive for producing rice but only yields fruits and maize,” added the Secretary of State for Civil Protection.
The government official emphasized SEPC’s role to ensure that all citizens must be safeguarded from disaster risks, reminding that the whole world today is deeply concerned about climate change, which has caused major impacts globally, leading to many lives lost and destruction of livelihoods.
“Seeing these problems, I would like to request the World Food Program (WFP) that last year supported the Civil Protection Authority (APC) with around 445 tons of rice. So now I am reflecting on what actions we must take for our citizens across the national territory who are affected by disasters,” stated the Secretary of State for Civil Protection.
He informed that this is the first food distribution across the entire territory, with around 200 tons in total, particularly in Atauro where the Interim President handed over 1000 rice sacks. This specific support is intended to directly respond to the needs of vulnerable families, especially parents who require food assistance to meet basic needs.
Meanwhile, the representative of the Interim President who leads the Atauro Authority, Mateus Belo, expressed gratitude and high appreciation to the Secretary of State for Civil Protection for providing significant rice support to Atauro compared to other municipalities.
“I am truly grateful to the Secretary of State for Civil Protection who supported us with 1000 sacks of rice delivered to our Atauro Post-Administrative Authority. This rice distribution is intended to support vulnerable communities, especially elderly people and those who are physically weak, who are most affected by natural disasters,” said Mateus Belo, Representative of the President of Atauro Authority.
He further explained that the total population in Atauro Post-Administrative Authority is around 12,500, composed of five villages: Villa Maumeta, Beloi, Makili, Makadadi, and Bqueli.
The Secretary of State for Civil Protection concluded that the institution is carrying out this distribution of 1000 rice sacks to the Atauro Administrative Authority in order to support vulnerable families who continue to be affected whenever natural disasters occur across the country.
Report by: Nelfiano
Photo by: SEPC Media