Timor-Leste floods disaster: they need your help.

Timor-Leste is still trying bring some normality back to the country from the disastrous floods which hit on Easter Sunday April 4th 2021, following torrential rains caused by tropical cyclone Seroja. The death toll is estimated to at least 46, with many still missing.

The coastal geography of Timor-Leste, is a narrow plain between steep mountains and the sea, has facilitated the dramatic flows in the capital city, Dili, that has been the most affected: with collapsed houses, major roads and bridges damaged, and parts of the city are still under water. Power and communications are intermittent and displaced residents have moved to temporary refuge centres. In other parts of the country and in rural areas, the landslides have damaged vegetable crops that feed their population. Some suggest these are the worst floods in the country since 1970.

The Timorese government and non-for-profit organizations on the ground face the huge challenge of helping the survivors to cope with the devastation that has been left behind amidst the worst COVID outbreak since the start of the pandemic and a depressed economy since the last three years.

It is estimated that over 10,000 people in the area are in desperate need of aid.

The scale of the disaster is unprecedented. It is estimated that over 10,000 people in the area are in desperate need shelter, water and medical supplies, the lack of sanitation, clean drinking water and the spread of disease the most immediate dangers.

International support

Experts in disaster management expect that addressing the situation and rebuilding will require hundred of millions of dollars. Australia has already commited their support and there are many local and international non-government organisations on the ground that also require support to continue providing assitance, that is the case, for example the Australia's Defence Cooperation Program, the F-FDTL and BEE Timor-Leste E.P in the provision of drinking emergency water, as reported in the Australian Embassy in Timor-Leste social media page.

In addition, various charter flights carrying medical and humanitarian supplies have been sent from Australia; one of them privalety funded. The Medicines and Equipment Autonomous Services (SAMES) immediately distributed goods to the evacuation centres and clinics.

Non Government Organisations

In addition to the government agencies, here is a list of some of those NGOs that are accepting donations and are appealing to donors to respond generously to this tremendous humanitarian emergency.

The Dom Bosco Training Centre in Comoro, a facility of the Salesians of Dom Bosco Timor-Leste, is a major relief centre providing shelter and food for those who have lost their homes and possessions. The gymnasium and the classrooms are being used for emergency accommodation by more than 3,000 displaced persons.

You can donate online throught their supporting organisation The Salesian Missions Australia Timor-Leste Appeal. * Donations to this registered charity are tax deductable in Australia.

The Red Cross Timor-Leste is one of the frontline responders to the disaster and is working with the Timor-Leste Government helping the displaced people distributing releif supplies, providing food, family packs, tarps, etc. They have also been working closely with Ministry of Health in regards of the COVID Pandemic.

The details on how to donate can be found on their website.

Women and Children in need

Women and children represent the most vulnerable part of the affected population in this flood, and many require medical attention and prevention of water-borne diseases.

The emergency have driven women and children away from all they know as comfortable and safe.

The emergency have driven them away from all they know as comfortable and safe. Those most impacted are also the most vulnerable: women, adolescents and children are up to 14 times more likely than men to die in a sudden-onset disaster. For those that survive, life doesn’t stop. Women still have babies. Children still need to be vaccinated, and adolescents still need access to education and health care services. They are also more vulnerable to domestic violence and abuse.

A chartity devoted primarly to children is the Timor-Leste Children's Fund -depending of the Yooralla Youth Ministries Australia- and has formal agreements in place with a number of registered organisations in Timor-Leste. They are currently raising funds to provide safe drinking water for families through the distribution of 5,000 Sawyer Water Filters and the provision of medical supplies to cope with the expected surge in water borne diseases which will impact children and families.

The Fund is also arranging a container to be shipped to Timor-Leste with the support of the Rotary Lilydale Vic. If you have goods and materials (eg. medical supplies) we would be very happy to include them in the shipment please contacty Gordon Bucko for further information. You can donate online via their GoFundMe page.

* Donations to this registered charity are tax deductable in Australia.

PRO-EMA which uses donations to provide meals for displaced people through their Restaurant School in Dili and basic necessities kits. Reportedly to April 11th, funds raised have helped Pro-Ema provide 19,827 lunches and dinners, 248 household basics kits, 8,300 face masks, as well as other necessities for families affected by the floods.

You can donate through their GoFundMe page and also see the help that is being provided day-to-day through their facebook page.

Note: I've collected this information to the best of my abilities, please contact me in case of any error/omission.