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USAID, IOM Support Communities Affected by Devastating Floods and Landslides in Timor-Leste

15 July 2021

Caption: Information: Senora Olinda (eldest member of Balibar village) recounts her story to IOM Chief of Mission Timor-Leste, Ihma Shareef about how she survived the storm and subsequent floods, landslides of April 4th. She the oldest community member in Balibar village. She is over 100 years and survived cyclone Seroja on 4th April

“We are encouraged by the resilience of the Timorese families affected by the recent flooding,” said USAID Mission Director Zema Semunegus.

Dili – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Timor-Leste, in collaboration with the Civil Protection Authority on 12th July handed over the shelter repair kits to communities in Balibar village, municipality of Dili that were affected by landslides and strong winds after heavy rains and flooding in April 2021.

Timor-Leste is highly prone to natural disasters and is expected to face increased risks caused by a changing climate including the onset of La Niña resulting in floods, landslides, and strong winds in April 2021 due to heavy seasonal monsoon rains with higher intensity and a prolonged wet season. Floods, in particular flash flooding, can severely impact Dili and neighbouring districts and have a more moderate impact in rural areas.

Twelve municipalities have been affected with more than 30,367 households across the country and caused 45 people deaths. Dili was the worst affected, with flash flooding damaging houses, buildings, roads, and other infrastructure. According to the government, 13,554 people from 2,315 households were evacuated to 40 evacuation centres around the city.

“We are encouraged by the resilience of the Timorese families affected by the recent flooding,” said USAID Mission Director Zema Semunegus. “Building on the partnership with Timor-Leste, we hope these shelter kits will help in tangible ways as families rebuild and settle back home after the floods and landslides”.

The distribution of the shelter repair kits will contribute to the government efforts towards addressing the immediate needs of the affected population in Timor-Leste.

“IOM remains committed to supporting the government of Timor-Leste through the Civil Protection Authority in disaster response and recovery efforts” said IOM Timor-Leste Chief of Mission Ihma Shareef.

Olinda Sarmento Soares from Balibar Village who is over 100 years old recounted of her experience. “I was awoken by the cyclone early in the morning when it was still dark. I was living alone in the house and terrified that my house would collapse or be blown away. Fearing for my life, I went as quickly as I could to my sister’s house nearby and luckily survived”.

The IOM and USAID partnership Enhancing Rapid Disaster Response for Flooding in Timor-Leste supports the Civil Protection Authority in the provision of cleaning and repair shelter kits, non-food items, and temporary shelter solutions. In addition, the partnership also supports the Secretariat for Civil Protection to strengthen /shelter interventions; and the rolling out of the Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) to monitor the needs and returns trends. IOM is the lead UN agency for Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM).

For more information, please contact IOM Chief of Mission, Aishath Ihma Shareef, Tel +670 331 3038, Email: ishareef@iom.int or Elisabeth Araújo, Communications Focal Point at IOM Timor-Leste Email: ebaraujo@iom.int