Timor-Leste

Heavy rains and strong winds lashed Timor-Leste's capital Dili causing extensive flooding on April 4, 2021. USAID is responding to the floods and providing support for urgent relief supplies.

Valentino Dariel Sousa / AFP

Key Developments

Heavy rainfall generated flash floods and landslides in Timor-Leste between March 29 and April 4, resulting in at least 21 deaths and adversely affecting more than 10,300 people across eight municipalities, according to the UN.  Approximately three-quarters of the affected population are in Timor-Leste’s capital city of Dili, many of whom are sheltering in 11 official evacuation sites where the Government of Timor-Leste (GoTL) is providing meals, medical assistance, and other essential services. 

On April 5, U.S. Ambassador C. Kevin Blackstone declared a disaster due to the effects of flooding in Timor-Leste.  In response, USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (USAID/BHA) is providing  $100,000 for urgently needed relief supplies.  USAID/BHA staff based in Jakarta, Indonesia; Bangkok, Thailand; and Washington, D.C., continue to monitor the situation in coordination with the U.S. Embassy in Timor-Leste.