A typhoon that caused flooding and a major landslide burying parts of a village and road collapses are all part of an unfolding disaster being played out in Timor-Leste this week.

 The disaster simulation is part of the Humanitarian Assistance Disaster Response Workshop (HADR) organised by OCHA (United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) involving the Timor-Leste Government, foreign military and disaster response agencies including the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre.

 The workshop is part of the Pacific Partnership - a joint mission among several partner nations including Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United Kingdom, Singapore and Japan, to improve disaster preparedness and regional responsiveness to any crisis.

 It is the first time the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre has been invited to participate in the 5 day HADR conference and workshop.

 “The workshop has been incredibly valuable for the trauma centre and has strengthened our relationships with the Timor-Leste Government and foreign military,” acting Director Disaster Preparedness and Response Abigail Trewin said.

 This week the NCCTRC has also delivered basic life support training to paramedics at the Timor-Leste Ambulance Service.

 The training has included resuscitation, injury and trauma management for 22 paramedics.

 "The work with the Timor-Leste paramedics is a great opportunity for the NCCTRC as we work closely with the ambulance service to provide medical support for the annual Tour de Timor mountain bike race," Ms Trewin said.

 The HADR workshop started on Monday and concludes today (Friday).

Media: Michelle Foster 0459 166 801