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Timor-Leste

Timor-Leste MAATP001 Annual Report 2012

Attachments

This report covers the period 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2012

Overview

This report records the progress made towards the objectives of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ (IFRC) country office’s long term planning framework (LTPF) 2012-2015 to support the Cruz Vermelha de Timor-Leste (CVTL). The year 2012 was the first year of the four-year LTPF. Most of the objectives set in the year were achieved which is a good reflection of CVTL’s progress with more realistic project planning and good management. CVTL established a new integrated community-based programme (iCBRR) which combined water and sanitation, community-based health and first aid (CBHFA), disaster risk reduction and livelihoods components to be better able to support the needs of vulnerable communities. With funding from Norwegian Red Cross, IFRC supported iCBRR in three districts and extension activities in another four districtsusing New Zealand Red Cross funds. In the middle of the year CVTL was able to extend the programme with funds from Australian Red Cross for another four districts. Partners supporting CVTL under a single programme framework marks a significant advance in partner cooperation and it is hoped that other bilateral partners will support the roll-out to additional districts.

An analysis of project support and essential core costs enabled CVTL to define a comprehensive recovery model and helped to justify its request to partners. It also enabled a clear position from which to approach government with a stronger case for funding and this process was started. The start of construction of a first purpose-built national headquarters building for CVTL marks a significant achievement. Infrastructure and systematic training of staff also assisted branch development and membership workshops addressed a gap in the organization’s structure which should improve governance in the districts in the future.

In April, the country elected a new president, a former military leader who replaced the joint Nobel Peace Prize recipient. In July, parliamentary elections returned the Prime Minister, who subsequently announced a new, bigger coalition government. European Union (EU) monitors reported the successful parliamentary election in July as transparent and credible, Timor-Leste’s first without serious civil conflict since the restoration of its independence just ten years ago. Significantly for CVTL, the secretary general for six years was invited to join the new government and accepted the position of Minister for Social Solidarity. These elections delayed the process of government nationally and in the districts and were a significant preoccupation for communities with some interruption in CVTL-supported programmes as a result.

The National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL) were handed full control of police operations in the country at a United Nations (UN) handover ceremony on 31 October. The withdrawal of peacekeepers from the UN Integrated Mission to East Timor (UNMIT) was subsequently completed by the end of the year and maintenance of full responsibility for security became that of the PNTL and the Timor-Leste Defence Force. The Australian-led International Stabilisation Force (ISF) ceased active operations on 22 November and will withdraw fully by April 2013. Both events are seen as important steps for the country’s on-going progress towards a stable, independent state, together with improvements in political stability and with the primary causes of the 2006 unrest now largely absent. No significant security incidents or increase in number of incidents have occurred since and police responses are reported to have been appropriate.