20 June 2011

Oecusse, Timor-Leste: I am Pascual M. Remetio from the Philippines. Before joining UNV I worked with an International Christian NGO in Mozambique and Angola including during the civil war up until the early recovery stage in 2004. I coordinated emergency relief projects for Internally Displaced People (IDP) focused on camp management, provision of basic services and repatriation of former refugees, resettlement and community integration of refugees. I also worked in Myanmar from 2008-2009 for the emergency intervention and early recovery projects in areas affected by the disastrous Cyclone Nargis.

I now work as a Logistics Adviser for STAE, an election management body in the Oecusse District. This is my second deployment in Timor-Leste as a UN Volunteer. My first assignment was in 2007 during the presidential and parliamentary elections. I was then based in the Manufahi District, also working as a Logistics Adviser. Given my extensive experience in logistics, I am well suited to my current role. It ties in well with my previous experience - however, this time, I am no longer dealing with food and IDP’s but with ballot boxes and the votes to be transported securely.

This work is vital to avoid fraud and doubt about results. As a Logistics Adviser, my responsibilities include assisting STAE in assessing road conditions leading to the different polling centres, security, lighting and access to phone communication of the polling centres, which are often in government schools. At the end of this process, a report is prepared and is used in the preparation of the operational plan for 2012 presidential and parliamentary elections. My role then is to see that the plan has been carefully prepared.

During my six-month stay in Oecusse, my counterparts and I travelled to four sub-districts to conduct assessment surveys of proposed new polling centres. Due to the frequent rain, our trip had to be postponed as most of the polling centres can be reached only by crossing a number of rivers. This is one of the most challenging aspects of my work - the slippery and winding roads and river beds make it dangerous and difficult to drive during rainy season.

I see to it that my STAE counterparts truly feels that they own the plan - capacity development is a central tenet of UNDP-UNEST’s mandate. I managed to overcome the challenges with the help and guidance of my national counterparts who travelled with me. For them, the journey is not only driving to the 28 villages and polling centres but is also a capacity journey.