This appeal seeks CHF 5,125,446 (USD 4.58 million or EUR 3.1 million) to fund the planned programmes that are to be implemented in 2008-2009. The overall budget is CHF 5,125,446 (USD 4.58 million or EUR 3.1 million).
This appeal document sets out briefly the main outcomes the programmes seek to achieve over the next two years. More detailed information is provided in the 2008-2009 Programme Support Plan and Summary Matrix.
In a world of global challenges, continued poverty, inequity, and increasing vulnerability to disasters and disease, the International Federation with its global network, works to accomplish its Global Agenda, partnering with local community and civil society to prevent and alleviate human suffering from disasters, diseases and public health emergencies.
Current context
Timor-Leste is among Asia's poorest countries, with some 40 per cent of the population living below the poverty line and one-fifth of the population living on less than USD1 per day. Unemployment (particularly youth unemployment) and lack of opportunities have contributed to social tension. This situation coupled with the high death rates related to preventable causes, offers huge challenges to the country and its people. The fertility rate of 7.6 children for every woman and infant mortality rates are among the highest in the world; while maternal mortality is 880 per 100,000 live births. Barely half the population has access to safe drinking water and sanitary facilities
Timor-Leste is also highly vulnerable to natural and man-made disasters. Floods, winds, landslides, earthquakes, locust and mice plagues are among the hazards that threaten food security and increase vulnerability. An estimated 100,000 people (ten per cent of the total population) were still displaced in Timor- Leste in 2007 following the upheavals of May 2006. Latest assessments show that 3,119 houses were destroyed, 2,242 damaged and many others deserted by families and then occupied by others, leaving an estimated 25,000 people homeless.
The political crisis has proven to be far deeper and more complex than many observers predicted. Instability and low-intensity violence remain a constant feature in Dili. With the successful completion of the presidential and parliamentary election in March and June 2007, it is hoped that many of the internally displaced people (IDP) will begin returning to their homes.
The national society's draft strategic plan 2006-2009 was approved in August 2005 at its general assembly in Dili. Its aim is to make Cruz Vermelha de Timor-Leste (CVTL) the country's pre-eminent humanitarian aid organization. This plan will help CVTL focus on clear directions and overcome the risk of spreading its programmes too thinly.
MAP - Reference map of Timor-Leste
Contact information
Cruz Vermelha de Timor-Leste (Timor-Leste Red Cross): Isabel Amaral Guterres, secretary general; email: sec-gen@cvtl.tp; phone: +670.724.8963; Fax: +670.332.1688
Federation Timor-Leste delegation: Warwick Inder, head of delegation; email: warwick.inder@ifrc.org; phone: +670.723.1434; Fax: +670.332.2010
Federation Regional Office, Bangkok: Alan Bradbury, acting head of regional office; email: alan.bradbury@ifrc.org; phone: + 66 2 661 8201
Federation Asia-Pacific Zone Office, Kuala Lumpur: Jagan Chapagain, deputy head of zone; email: jagan.chapagain@ifrc.org; phone: + 603 2161 0892; fax: + 603 2161 1210
All International Federation assistance seeks to adhere to the Code of Conduct and is committed to the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response (Sphere) in delivering quality and accountable assistance to the most vulnerable. For support to or for further information concerning Federation programmes or operations in this or other countries, or for a full description of the national society profile, please access the Federation's website at http://www.ifrc.org