Country Profile
Population: 1.3 Million (2020)
Major Threats: Floods, Drought, Cyclones, Earthquakes
Populations Affected: Rural Communities
Locations Affected: Bobonaro, Dili, Aileu, Manatuto, Oecussi, Ainaro
Industries Affected: Agriculture, Transportation, Infrastructure
Compounding Issues: Climate Change Adaptation, Environmental Degradation, Livelihoods
World Risk Index Ranking: 10
Timor-Leste, situated near northern Australia, gained its independence from Indonesia in 2002. Despite its small size, the nation has a history marred by conflicts that have left it vulnerable to economic challenges, hazards, and natural disasters.
In the two decades since its independence, Timor-Leste has encountered numerous disasters, resulting in loss of life and damage to infrastructure. The government is currently grappling with the task of implementing effective Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) practices. Although a national agency has been established for disaster risk mapping, mitigating and reducing the impact on victims remains a formidable challenge.
Timor-Leste’s economic growth lags behind many other Southeast Asian countries, heavily reliant on petroleum and imports from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Australia. When disasters strike, the nation’s limited financial resources exacerbate the economic fallout.
Unsustainable agricultural practices and resource extraction have led to food and livestock shortages, and the country is classified as one of the least developed, with high unemployment rates.
The heightened risk of climate change threatens agriculture, public health, water resources, and livelihoods, resulting in harvest losses and increased poverty. Rural populations are particularly vulnerable to the multifaceted impacts of climate change, forcing communities to rebuild from the ground up after each disaster, leaving them feeling isolated and underserved.
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