Australian Defence Force personnel assisted members of the Timor-Leste Defence Force (F-FDTL) sow vetiver grass plantations in several villages around Dili to prevent erosion.
Last month's activity, part of Indo-Pacific Endeavour, was in response to a request by F-FDTL Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant General Falur Rate Laek for a solution to prevent topsoil loss on the hillsides of Dili.
Extreme weather conditions and severe drought in Timor-Leste have increased the risk of landslides during the wet season, which can wash away valuable topsoil, destroy crops and potentially destroy homes.
Manleuana village Chief Noe Gaspar Tilman said his people welcomed the Australians.
"Since the first time the Australians came, the community has been very happy, because they are providing an answer to the very real problem we face," Chief Tilman said.
He said the environmental efforts were in every sense of the word a true partnership.
"The cooperation comes to play because once the grass is planted, it is up to our village to do our part, which is the ongoing maintenance and watering in the dry season," Chief Tilman said.
'They're not just one of our closest neighbours, they're one of our closest friends.'
Australian Army Lieutenant Raffaella Puli, who was in Timor-Leste to play in the Xanana-Cosgrove Shield marking the 26th anniversary of the INTERFET peacekeeping mission, said the experience allowed her to see more of the beautiful island nation and connect with her F-FDTL colleagues.
"It's been important to get both the futsal and football teams out here to experience and understand the environments the Timor-Leste people live in, but also share in the kind of work the F-FDTL do on behalf of their country," Lieutenant Puli said.
Australian Defence Attaché to Timor-Leste Captain Matthew Richardson, Royal Australian Navy, said that because of extreme climate conditions, the Timorese had been having a lot of problems maintaining the topsoil layer to grow crops.
"General Falur asked me specifically if we could assist in specific areas where all the topsoil has washed away. I offered our soldiers' assistance, and he jumped at the opportunity," Captain Richardson said.
The climate resilience activity is just one of the programs carried out by the ADF Defence Cooperation Program in Dili all year round.
"They're not just one of our closest neighbours, they're one of our closest friends. We will always be there side by side helping each other with problems we have, and this grass planting is just one example of this relationship," Captain Richardson said.
Indo-Pacific Endeavour is Australia's flagship regional engagement activity supporting the Australian Government's diplomatic and defence partnerships across South-East Asia and the north-east Indian Ocean.
