When Cyclone Seroja’s high winds and torrential rain hit Timor over the Easter long weekend, communities throughout the country experienced a big storm sustained over several days. While there was no severe flooding in Zumalai sub-district, which is on the south coast of East Timor, there was still damage caused to farming land and several schools.

Three Catholic primary schools in Zumalai are linked through a network of schools with one principal, Carmelite Br Antonio Olavio Exposto. When Br Antonio described the extent of the storm damage at two of those schools, Carmel Impact was able to develop a School Roofing Project to respond to the need. More story & photos | Donate here

Flood waters rushed through Dili and neighbouring areas during the Easter long weekend this year. The floods caused by Cyclone Seroja was reported widely in Australia, with over 25,000 households displaced from their homes and 45 fatalities. Susan is a small hamlet situated in Hera, on the outskirts of the capital city Dili and was also impacted by the cyclone. It is home to 12 households and 80 people. Susan hamlet has a river running through it and as a result of the floods, several homes built on the banks of the river were completed washed away. More story & photos | Donate here

When Cyclone Seroja’s torrential rain and high winds caused damage throughout Timor-Leste last Easter, communities were impacted in different ways. In addition to homes, shops and offices being inundated with water, other vital community infrastructure was also damaged in several places.

In Dili, the Carmelites observed problems with the drains that run along the street where the Carmelite community house is located. The drains were blocked and in general disrepair, which meant they impeded the flood water from flowing away from the neighbourhood, affecting several households in the area. More story & photos | Donate here

Over the Easter weekend this year, Cyclone Seroja hit Timor causing extensive flooding in Dili and storm damage in communities throughout the country. With generous donations from Australia and around the world, we have been able to respond with several projects implemented through Carmel Impact.

A primary focus of our response to the floods was immediate and direct support to flood victims and their families. Our Carmelite brothers assisted and visited over 2,000 people across 500 households during the initial weeks of the disaster response. More story & photos | Donate here

With homes washed away, roads and infrastructure damaged, and thousands now homeless, the people of Timor-Leste need your help. The Carmelites are providing food, water and clothing to those affected and our students are helping to clean and rebuild houses. Many people have lost everything. Please donate at: https://timor-floods-emergency-appeal.raisely.com/ Read more