Dili – The International Organization for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with UNICEF Timor-Leste, equipped 23 Civil Protection Authority (CPA) Municipal Commanders and the Municipal Disaster Management Committee on humanitarian preparedness and response capacity on gender-based violence (GBV), trafficking in persons (TIP), and child protection (CP) through a First Responder Training of Trainers held from 18-20 October. 

The three-day training aimed to improve the capacities of subnational actors in responding to protection risks issues in the advent of an emergency in their respective municipalities.  

Timor-Leste constantly faces threat of both sudden and slow-onset natural hazards, such as drought, flooding, landslides, tropical cyclones and tsunamis. The disastrous flooding in April 2021 impacted over 33,000 households and displaced 12,300 individuals.  

Natural hazards and conflicts not only exacerbate the risks of injuries, loss of lives, and damage to public infrastructures, but also increase protection risks in humanitarian settings, particularly in relation to GBV, TIP, and violence against child (VAC). The First Responder Training addressed these critical issues and equipped the subnational actors with the necessary skills to mitigate the risks effectively. 

“I’ve learned the importance of involving marginalized communities such as LGBTQIA+ communities, people with disabilities, women and children in every activity and decision-making process, especially in emergency settings. We thanked IOM for always supporting the CPA and we will advocate and implement the knowledge at the national and municipal levels” said Urbano dos Santos, the 2nd Municipal Operational Commander in Bobonaro. 

The workshop delved into critical topics of the assumption and bias in the context of gender and sex which may perpetuate and increase the risks of GBV, TIP and VAC, especially in emergency settings. Participants also discussed the consequences, root causes and contributing factors to protection risks, highlighting the collective efforts to break the cycle of violence. 

“I learned and gained a deeper understanding on GBV, TIP and VAC in emergencies as well as the referral pathway that were presented by IOM, for which I am very grateful“ said Zelia da Costa Xavier, Director of Civil Protection Service and Natural Disaster in Manufahi. 

This training represents a significant step to building a more resilient nation and establishing a responsive system in humanitarian emergencies. The skills and knowledge will enable the first responders to take active roles in addressing the protection risks of the most vulnerable populations in case of natural hazards and conflicts. 

The initiative is part of the Addressing Protection Risks in Humanitarian Settings in Timor-Leste and Papua New Guinea, a regional joint initiative led by IOM and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA). 

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For more information, please contact: 

Maulana Iberahim, Media and Communications, IOM Timor-Leste miberahim@iom.int