Members of the Order in Australia respond to floods in Suai, Timor-Leste
The Australian Association is committed to helping the people of Timor-Leste where there is such great opportunity to assist “Our Lords the Poor and the Sick”.
Floods caused by continuous torrential rains fall for two weeks in the Suai District of Timor-Leste have resulted in loss of life and major damage to property. Members of the Order in the Northern Territories responded immediately to assist the humanitarian aid effort
Pictured: Member of the Order, Maria Randazzo with clothing for flood victims
Members Carlo and Maria Randazzo, organised 300 items of clothing for men, women and children affected by the floods. The Order will be working in collaboration with other agencies to distribute the clothes to those in greatest need.
The wider relief effort has also seen NGOs operating in the area combine their efforts to ensure humanitarian aid, including food supplies, tarpaulins, kitchen utensils and mosquito nets, get to those affected, with the most needy being 74 household requiring urgent assistance.
The longer term implications of the floods have yet to be fully assessed. An estimated 610 hectares of rice paddies has been affected. This will have huge consequences for the local population as rice growing is the main food source and livelihood for economic subsistence. Drinking water is a major problem because water from springs and wells is not safe in inhabited areas.
