Timor-Leste: Monica and her daughter harvest water spinach from their home garden. They lost their entire home, including all their savings, their crops, and their livestock in a massive flood in 2021. Oxfam's work in her area helped her family rebuild after the flood, and learn new climate-smart agricultural techniques so that they are more resilient when the next disaster strikes. Photo: Rachel Schaevitz/Oxfam.
Timor-Leste
Oxfam supports communities in Timor-Leste to overcome poverty and inequality.
Floods, landslides and droughts increasingly threaten homes and crops in Timor-Leste. Nearly 70% of people live in rural areas and depend on land for their livelihoods. And although the country is rich in oil and gas, that wealth hasn’t always reached those who need it most.
Inequality between rural and urban communities is growing, alongside rising food insecurity and unemployment. Despite this, with your support, the Timorese people are developing locally-led solutions amidst the climate emergency. They draw on deep community strength to challenge and reshape long-held systems.
When you donate to countries like Timor-Leste, you’re standing up for justice and helping people shape more reliable livelihoods for generations to come.
Why your support matters in Timor-Leste
Timor-Leste is one of Asia’s newest nations, still rebuilding systems after generations of conflict and instability. Almost 70% of people live far from services like healthcare, markets and secondary schools (limiting their opportunity and income).
The country also faces acute climate risks. Floods, landslides and droughts regularly threaten crops, roads and homes. In the 2021 World Risk Index, Timor-Leste ranked among the 20 most at-risk countries globally, due to its exposure to climate extremes and, critically, limited infrastructure capacity.
Timor-Leste is rich in oil and gas. Unfortunately, the economic benefits aren’t always shared equitably. Rural families (especially women and young people) often face insecure land rights, rising food prices, and limited employment options.
Food insecurity, unemployment and gender-based violence remain widespread concerns. But change is underway.
With support from Oxfam and local partners, communities are organising around land rights, building stronger accountability with local government, and developing practical ways to prepare before disasters strike. Women and young people are taking on bigger roles in community decision-making and economic diversification. Your donation can strengthen this momentum.
How Oxfam is working in Timor-Leste
Oxfam works alongside Timorese organisations to strengthen land rights, expand economic opportunity, and build community-led disaster preparedness. Our focus is long-term change that keeps people safe, informed and in control of their futures.
Preparing before disasters strike
As part of the Australian Government’s AHP Disaster READY program, the people of Timor-Leste are strengthening their capacity to prepare for extreme weather events like floods, landslides and cyclones.
Supported by Oxfam and local partners, the focus is on community-level planning, emergency coordination and early-warning systems.
This work sits alongside the Anticipatory Action initiative, which supports national and local authorities to take early steps — such as pre-positioning supplies or activating preparedness committees — based on reliable climate and weather triggers.
Supported by the Australian Government through the Australian Humanitarian Partnership (AHP).
Elevating young voices in rural development
The HAKFOUN II – Strengthening Inclusive Youth Voices and Creativity project encourages young people to take part in shaping Timor-Leste’s economic diversification. It brings together government, civil society and development partners to promote inclusive rural development that works for everyone.
Across all of this work, the approach is the same: practical, community-led action that strengthens systems and builds equitable opportunity.
Key focus areas
Land Rights And Economic Justice
Supporting communities to understand their rights, influence land decisions and strengthen rural livelihoods.
Climate Justice And Disaster Preparedness
Helping villages plan ahead for floods, landslides and droughts through locally led early-warning and preparedness systems.
Inclusive Leadership And Gender Justice
Creating space for women and young people to participate in local decision-making and shape rural development.
Transparent Governance
Promoting open access to public information so communities can track how resources are used and hold decision-makers to account.
Why choose Oxfam
We work alongside local leaders and organisations in Timor-Leste who understand the challenges and the solutions. When you support Oxfam by donating to countries like Timor-Leste, you’re backing:
Local partnerships
Every program is grounded in community knowledge and led by local organisations.
Long-term resilience
From climate advocacy to disaster preparation, we focus on lasting impact (not just emergency relief).
Proven accountability
As a member of the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID), Oxfam follows the highest standards of transparency and effectiveness.
A regional approach
Our work in Timor-Leste is part of a wider strategy, ensuring solutions are shared, connected and led by the Asia-Pacific region itself.
Justice over charity
We support communities to lead their own future. It’s not about charity. It’s about fairness, dignity and equal rights.
How your donation helps
Every donation to Oxfam can support community-led programs in Timor-Leste and around the world. Here’s what your support can help make possible:
- Stronger disaster preparedness — through community-led planning, early warning systems, and local training
- Support for women and youth leaders — especially in climate advocacy and community organising
- Access to clean water and sanitation — critical during disasters and for long-term health
- Local climate solutions — like food security programs, sustainable livelihoods, and community education
- Stronger local advocacy — helping local groups influence national policy
- Stronger regional advocacy — helping communities amplify their voices on the global stage
Your donation is more than a moment of support. It’s a commitment to a more just and resilient future.
Donate to support countries like Timor-Leste now
Help us work for justice and equality. For the right to share in profits from national exports, earn a reliable income and have access to clean water and a viable food network (especially as climate shocks occur more frequently).
By donating to countries like Timor-Leste today, you’re standing behind local leadership and communities facing climate extremes head-on. Every contribution helps provide practical tools, long-term support, and builds better systems for the future.
Donate now to support climate action and economic justice in Timor-Leste and other countries around the world.
Learn more about Oxfam’s work in the region
Want to understand the bigger picture? Explore how Oxfam works across the Asia-Pacific region to support community-led climate action and push for global systems that put justice first.
Discover Oxfam’s climate justice work. Read about how we’re working with partners across the globe to support more just climate solutions. Or learn more about economic inequality — what it is and how we work to reduce it.
You can explore our current appeals or learn more about how we work in Indonesia and the Philippines
Oxfam’s partners in Timor-Leste
Oxfam’s AHP Disaster Ready project in Timor-Leste is supported by: (TLS) Binibi Faef Nome (BIFANO), (TLS) Kdadalek Sulimutuk Institute (KSI), (TLS) Mata Dalan Institute (MDI), (TLS) Ra’es Hadomi Timor Oan (RHTO), Youth in Action Towards Sustainability Y-ACTS, (TLS) Masine Neo Oe-Cusse (MANEO), Asosiasaun Futuru Foinsa’e ba Sustentabilidade (AFFOS), Oxfam in Timor-Leste.
Anticipatory Action in Timor-Leste is supported by: (TLS) Binibi Faef Nome (BIFANO)
HAKFOUN II is supported by: (TLS) Mata Dalan Institute (MDI), Oxfam in Timor-Leste, (TLS) The Youth Parliament Alumni
Land Rights Project in Timor-Leste is supported by: (TLS) Core Group Transparency (CGT), (TLS) Juristus Advocay (JA), (TLS) Kdadalek Sulimutuk Institute (KSI), (TLS) Mata Dalan Institute (MDI), (TLS) Ra’es Hadomi Timor Oan (RHTO), (TLS) Rede Ba Rai, (TLS) Forum Komunikasaun ba Feto Timor-Leste (FOKUPERS), (TLS) ASOSIASAUN CHEGA! BA ITA (ACbit)
HAKBIIT in Timor-Leste and Open the books II are supported by: the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP)
Timor-Leste: Monica separates smashed corn seeds from its husk in order to cook it. She lost her entire home, including all her savings, her freshly harvested crops, and her livestock in a massive flood in 2021. Oxfam's work in her area helped her rebuild after the flood, and learn new climate-smart agricultural techniques so that she is more resilient when the next disaster strikes. Rachel Schaevitz/Oxfam
Donate to support countries like Timor-Leste
Help us work for justice and equality in Timor-Leste and around the world. By donating today, you’re backing the leadership of Timor-Leste communities who are shaping their own future.