Preparing for climate chaos in Timor-Leste, one of the world’s most vulnerable countries – Global Issues

In April 2021, massive floods devastated Timor-Leste, killing more than 30 people and destroying more than 4,000 homes. Among the worst affected areas was Orlalan, a remote mountain village of about 6,000 people. Its residents had no idea how to protect themselves when the floodwaters washed away and landslides.

In Orlalan, community leaders such as Armandina Valentina, whose family was affected by the 2021 floods, have taken the yoke of educating their neighbors. Valentina is relentless in her efforts, knocking on doors to make sure every resident knows where to go in the event of a disaster. He emphasizes that those most at risk—pregnant women, children and the elderly—must be given special attention to avoid panic.

His activities are part of a national program, supported by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), which aims to protect the lives of the people of Timor.

The role of disaster

Another part of the program is a disaster simulation. UN News recently joined one of these studies in Orlalan, where children play an important role. During the exercise, they practice staying in visible areas, protecting their heads, and calling out for help if they are trapped. Some children pretend to be injured and receive first aid, while others follow rescue teams to safer places.

For young volunteer Fretiliana Alves, these simulations aren’t just a form of training—they’re a calling. “My main motivation is to save lives,” he explains. Alves encourages his peers to join the effort, to find satisfaction in rescuing and caring for those in need.

The success of these efforts is highly dependent on local volunteers who know the risks and conditions of their communities. As Emidia Belo, Disaster Mitigation coordinator of the Red Cross of Timor-Leste (CVTL), notes, during a crisis, these volunteers are often the first responders. Their in-depth knowledge of local conditions is essential, especially when access to affected areas is restricted.

To save the most vulnerable

What makes UNEP’s preparedness program unique is its inclusiveness. The training sessions are designed to ensure that people with disabilities, children, the elderly, and pregnant women are all adequately equipped to deal with the challenges posed by the disaster. Antonio Ornai, who is visually impaired, participated in the simulation of the landslide for the first time in September 2024. “Thank you for the installation,” he says. “I will use everything I have learned to protect myself in the future.”

This method, says Emidia Belo, is important. “Disasters affect everyone, but they hit the most vulnerable,” he adds. “Changing the mindset of the public to be prepared is a long-term process. It’s not something that happens in one or two years.” With the support of UNEP for five years, Timor-Leste made great progress, but there is still a lot of work to be done.

Sound the alarm, loud and clear

At Orlalan, the evacuation process during a disaster follows a strategic five-step strategy. First, the country’s authorities issue an early warning of impending danger. Community leaders then meet to assess evacuation routes and identify safe shelters. This information is broadcast through solar powered sound systems, reaching even the most remote areas, while volunteers use megaphones to ensure everyone is informed.

As the evacuation begins, civil defense teams and first responders trained in first aid are deployed to assist those in need. The most vulnerable are prioritized, and once everyone is safely evacuated, the essentials are moved by the government to shelters.

But this program is not without its challenges. “The most difficult part is to ensure enough food during the transport,” said Adriano Soares, chief of Torilalan, a small village. “Floods damage crops, destroy our resources and make life difficult.”

Game-changing, life-saving technology

In a powerful speech during COP29, the UN Climate Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, UN Secretary-General António Guterres revealed the sad truth: that the world’s least developed countries and island nations have less than 10 percent of the information they need for them to be successful. warning systems. The message was clear—without the right data, lives are at risk.

Efforts are now underway in Timor-Leste to close this gap.

As part of the UNEP project, nine mobile weather stations, two automated weather monitoring systems, three radars and a marine buoy are being installed across the country.

According to Terêncio Fernandes, Director of the National Department of Meteorology and Geophysics, this technology will help the country to progress from a basic level of weather observation to a more advanced level, with the potential to reach the fifth level—the measurement of complete, real-time weather data.

The new AWS channels, which are low-cost and can transfer data without the need for an Internet connection, are a game-changer for remote locations like Orlalan. These stations collect important data about rainfall, wind speed, temperature, and other weather factors, transmitting it every minute to a central system for analysis.

A legacy of global action

The system being built in Timor-Leste is not just a national achievement; it is a testament to the power of global cooperation. Much of this progress is the result of decisions taken at the 2010 UN Climate Conference, COP16, where the Green Climate Fund was established to help countries like Timor-Leste adapt to the climate.

As climate negotiations continue at COP29 and beyond, the lessons learned in Timor-Leste can serve as a blueprint for other countries facing similar threats.

In the meantime, the people of Orlalan, and other communities across the country, are learning to live with the reality of a changing climate, but they are also preparing—together. With technology, knowledge, and community spirit, they are proving that resilience, even in the face of disaster, can be achieved.