Baucau is one of the oldest and most historically significant municipalities in Timor-Leste. Once a key administrative and economic hub during Portuguese colonial rule, Baucau has long been regarded as a vital gateway to the eastern region. It is home to the country’s second-largest urban center and boasts a rich cultural heritage, fertile agricultural zones, and strategic coastal access.

Today, Baucau’s relevance remains clear. With a population of approximately 123,000 people (2022 Census) and a diverse geography ranging from lush highlands to rugged coastlines, the municipality plays a crucial role in Timor-Leste’s food production and regional connectivity. Agriculture is the backbone of the local economy, with thousands of households depending on rice, cassava, maize, and vegetable cultivation for both consumption and income.

Yet, despite its potential, Baucau faces serious development and climate-related challenges. Unpredictable rainfall, droughts, landslides, and the lack of resilient infrastructure have increased the vulnerability of communities. Roads are often impassable during rainy seasons, and water sources become unreliable during drought periods. These limitations directly affect education, healthcare, food systems, and livelihoods.

Recognizing the municipality’s significance and vulnerability, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with funding from the Green Climate Fund (GCF), is implementing the project "Safeguarding Rural Communities and Their Physical Assets from Climate-Induced Disasters." In Baucau, this means addressing the dual priorities of strengthening infrastructure and restoring ecosystems to help communities build resilience and adapt to a changing climate.

Located on the eastern coast of Timor-Leste, Baucau Municipality is the second most populous region in the country, home to approximately 123,000 people according to the 2022 National Census. Encompassing an area of around 1,500 square kilometers, Baucau is a diverse and vibrant municipality consisting of six administrative posts: Baucau, Laga, Venilale, Vemasse, Quelicai, and Baguia. The region is known for its vast uplands, fertile valleys, and dynamic coastline that stretch from sea level to mountain ridges - geography that offers opportunity and risk in equal measure.

Despite its agricultural potential, Baucau faces complex development challenges. Rural communities struggle with limited infrastructure, exposure to extreme weather events, and unreliable access to markets and services. Droughts, landslides, and water scarcity have increasingly disrupted food systems and transportation, undermining local livelihoods and public safety. For farmers, whose income depends on crops like rice, cassava, and maize, climate vulnerability is a daily threat.

Recognizing Baucau's strategic role in national development and its vulnerability to climate-induced disasters, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with funding from the Green Climate Fund (GCF), is supporting a wide-ranging climate resilience program in the municipality. The project, "Safeguarding Rural Communities and Their Physical Assets from Climate-Induced Disasters," is delivering tailored infrastructure solutions while restoring ecosystems and empowering local communities.