Integrating a Disaster Response Architecture in Timor-Leste: Opportunities and Challenges

Abstract

Timor-Leste achieved its independence from Indonesia in 2002 but continues to suffer from a multitude of non-traditional security challenges such as flooding and landslides, water and food insecurity, and societal tensions. This research report seeks to understand how prepared the country is for emergencies and how current disaster response operations are coordinated by the government, international agencies, local NGOs and other non-state actors. The literature on the current institutions, mechanisms and structures present in the country to deal with disasters, the vulnerability of the East Timorese to disaster situations and what has been done to enhance preparedness for emergency situations and disaster response operations is sparse. The document analysis in this report looks at existing literature on disaster preparedness, vulnerability of the population and response and management strategies. It then analyses the findings from the fieldwork interviews conducted with relevant government agencies, international non-government organizations (INGOs) and local NGOs between July and September 2017. All these stakeholders have contributed to emergency preparedness and disaster response operations in Timor-Leste.