Dear Superiors, Directors of Centres and other officials

We are most concerned about the recent events in East Timor (which, as we reported, have not caused any casualties or major damage to the Brothers and Co-workers), where torrential rains have caused widespread flooding and destruction throughout the whole country, especially in the national capital, Dili. As things currently stand the death toll is 36 dead with 10 people missing, with huge material damage and the destruction of roads and bridges, cutting off certain areas of the interior, including Laclubar, with substantial damage to the national electricity grid due to collapsed power lines that has left several regions, including Laclubar, without any electric power.

Another important loss we have suffered has been the destruction of the central medicine store. This has aggravated the precarious supply of medicines to our Centre, which had already become acute as a result of the self-isolation imposed on the country to shield the people from the Covid-19 pandemic, with the suspension of all air communications with the outside world.

As our Laclubar Centre has been physically isolated by the destruction of the access roads to the village of Laclubar (two bridges have collapsed), and with the lack of electricity from the national grid and the shortage of medicines for our Guests, the Brothers and Co-workers are doing their level best to secure the necessary supplies of food and consumables as well as the fuel (diesel oil) needed to try to keep the generator running so that the Centre can continue its work.

Since there is no likelihood of remediating the Electricity Grid in the foreseeable future, we are keeping the generator running for only 5 hours a day (two in the morning and three in the evening) which costs about 600 euros per month.

The St John of God Foundation is launching a campaign to appeal for specific support to ease the dire situation at the S. João de Deus Health Support Centre in Laclubar, and this is why the Communities of Brothers and the Centres of the Hospitaller Order of St John of God can show their solidarity by generously supporting and widely publicising the campaign that is being prepared by the Brothers, the staff and our benefactors.

We wish to demonstrate our solidarity with the Brothers and Co-workers in Laclubar and Dili and look forward to seeing that whatever cash donations are sent to support them will enable our Mission in East Timor to continue to do good at this difficult and challenging time.

United in our charism, mission and prayers,

Brother Vítor Lameiras

Provincial Superior of Portugal