Timor-Leste communities lead the way in disaster risk reduction

Above: Madalena participating in a disaster simulation exercise. Image: Jaime dos Reis/World Vision

Madalena’s community in rural Bobonaro is prone to natural disasters such as floods, landslides, high winds, prolonged drought and fire, which often devastate homes and livelihoods. Although these events are commonplace, Madalena explained that the community had little to no knowledge of how to prepare for disasters. 

In 2019, Madalena, who is a member of her Village, or suco, Disaster Management Committee received support from World Vision through Disaster READY to help her community prepare for and respond to disasters. Throughout 2019, World Vision supported four Village Disaster Management Committees with disaster risk reduction and response efforts through Disaster READY, directly benefiting 1,725 people.  

“Before participating in the training on natural disaster management, I did not have any understanding of what natural disasters were and their consequences, although there were numerous disasters with various tragedies that occur every year in my village,” Madalena described.

Madalena and her fellow committee members learned how to identify the types of disasters caused by natural and human activity, community-based disaster risk management, disaster preparedness and response, first aid, gender and disability inclusion and risk assessments. They put all of their new knowledge into practice in disaster response simulation activities. 

“My job in the simulation training exercise was to find and evacuate victims with both minor and serious injuries. During the simulation, the Village Disaster Management Committee called me with a complete timeline of the disaster, an update on the condition of victims and the infrastructure destroyed. I had to immediately reach the scene to find people that needed to be evacuated, then report as soon as possible to the relevant government agency to send immediate assistance, including ambulances,” she said. 

“All of this can equip me in future to help victims of disasters by finding and evacuating them to a safe place for further assistance.”

Now Madalena wants to ensure everyone knows how to prepare for the natural disasters that are so common in their community, especially women. 

“The way I share information is by sitting in the group during cultural ceremonies and walking together to the market or church. I also implement first aid at home and ensure my family can avoid any disasters that happen, including turning off cooking fires,” she said.

Madalena and daughter. Madelena uses her new disaster risk reduction skills at home. Photo: Suzy Sainovski/World Vision