Amplifying women’s voices

Anita attended Community Based Disaster Risk Management Training, facilitated by Plan International. She now has the confidence to help others identify hazards in the community. IMAGE: Robert McKechnie/Plan International Australia

35-year-old Anita lives in the mountainous region of Ainaro in the interior of Timor Leste. She knows all too well the effects of natural disasters on her community, effects that are being quickly exacerbated by the effects of climate change. Heavy rain can cause landslides, elongated dry seasons bring extended droughts and heavy winds can damage houses. Due to climate change, areas of Timor Leste like Anita’s, are experiencing longer term cycles of drought and more intense wet seasons, making them particularly vulnerable to rapid and slow onset natural disasters. Communities in these areas have been ill-prepared in the past for these disasters due to a combination of lack of resources, a dependence on climate sensitive agriculture for livelihoods, poor planning and general environmental degradation.

With support from Plan International via Disaster READY, Anita has undertaken training on how to mitigate against these natural disasters, as well as how to respond when they do happen. Planting of trees at water sources has not only protected the community against dwindling water during dry periods, but also works to prevent dangerous landslides.

“Communities face disasters such as heavy wind, rain and landslides,” Anita said. “The wind damages houses and the earth. By planting trees we can restore the land. By identifying these dangerous places we can change them, make them less dangerous.

Changeable and extreme weather patterns in Anita’s community has left them open to hazards. IMAGE: Robert McKechnie/Plan International Australia

The Disaster READY program has seen Suco Disaster Management Committees (SDMC) and community members undertake community-based disaster risk management (CBDRM) training, which has included training on water sources protection, conservation and horticulture, and construction of gabion in high risk areas to prevent flooding and landslides. Sixty-nine percent of those surveyed after these trainings indicated that they now have increased knowledge and can be more actively involved in their village disaster risk planning. This has led to the installation of early warning systems and take up of community disaster drills.

Community members from across the municipalities, including members of SDMCs, have also received training on Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI), to enhance knowledge and capacity in communities on gender equality and inclusiveness during emergencies.

“Now I am able to speak in front of other people and have learnt from the activities of Plan International.” Anita added.

As a result of Disaster READY’s support, there are also other changes that Anita has noticed in her community. She reflected that previously, only men had been invited to attend training, but through her participation Anita now feels confident to speak to others in her community, especially women, about what she has learnt. Gender Equality and inclusiveness are central to the project, raising awareness in communities about the different needs within a community in case disaster does strike.