Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers met with the Australian Ambassador on the response to the impacts of Tropical Cyclone Seroja
The Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Fidelis Manuel Leite Magalhães, met today, April 21st, 2021, with the Australian Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Peter Robert, at the Government Palace, in Dili.
Minister Fidelis Magalhães thanked Australia’s support to Timor-Leste, in the fight against COVID-19 and in the response to the floods, and referred that currently the country faces two major challenges, related with COVID-19 and with natural disasters, and that the Government is dividing its action between emergency intervention, damage recovery and response to socio-economic impacts.
During the meeting, the Minister and the Australian Ambassador addressed the Australian Government’s support package, amounting to 7 million Australian dollars for the response to the floods, last April 4th, caused by Tropical Cyclone Seroja.
Under this humanitarian assistance package, several tonnes of emergency supplies have already arrived in the country, as well as an Australian medical assistance team, which, in addition to assisting in the emergency response, will also work with the Ministry of Health’s team to combat COVID-19.
The Government member and the Diplomat also discussed Australia's commitment to send doses of AstraZeneca vaccines manufactured in Australia to Timor-Leste that will contribute to the Government's efforts to have the entire population vaccinated by the end of the year.
The Australian Ambassador also reiterated the availability to support not only in the emergency phase, but also in the recovery and reconstruction, where support can also be provided through already existing programs with Australian support, such as the PNDS and the Roads for Development Program (R4D).
