Timor Port and its partners, CHEC and Bolloré, rally round to help the populations of Dili stricken by torrential rains
12 April 2021
In the wake of the violent cyclone Seroja, many towns and cities in the country, including the capital, Dili, were swamped by the torrential rains that fell on 3 and 4 April in Timor-Leste and Indonesia.
Many houses, roads and bridges were destroyed or left covered in mud and uprooted trees. The human toll has been high, with more than 14,000 people forced to leave their homes destroyed by floods and landslides.
To help the affected population, the Timor Port teams have purchased basic necessities worth over 10,000 dollars. Rice, pasta, fresh eggs and hygiene products were collected and immediately distributed to the Civil Protection, which manages the centres housing the displaced people.
In addition to this emergency donation, construction equipment and nearly 100 employees working on the construction of the future container terminal have been mobilised to help clear and clean the streets of Dili. They will be at work in the capital for at least two weeks.
Rafael Ribeiro, Chairman of Timor Port
We were extremely surprised by the violence of the rains that hit Timor. We couldn't just stand by in the face of this natural disaster, and it seemed only natural to help the local population. Our infrastructure was not damaged thanks to the stormwater channels dug around the port platform. We all wanted to support those who have been more affected.
About Timor Port
The Bolloré Group was chosen in 2016 to build and operate the future deep sea port of Dili. It selected China Harbour Engineering (CHEC) to construct the port of Tibar to the west of Dili, the capital of Timor-Leste. The 30-year concession was won by the French Group in June 2016 as part of a public-private partnership, the first in Timor-Leste. This port platform, which meets international standards, will be equipped with the most modern container handling and general cargo equipment, which will enable container ships of more than 7,000 TEUs to be operated. It will be operational in 2022.
