DILI 19 august, 2020 (TATOLI)- Timor-Leste Government together with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the United Nation Development Program UNDP) are distributing the food baskets to Timor-Leste’s most vulnerable communities in Metinaro today.
There are total of 163 people’s in Metinaro, Wenunue village that will receive the food baskets sourced directly from local farmers and via the government supported Loja dos Agricultores syndicate, and these peoples includes people with disabilities, orphans, the elderly and single parents.
“The project will help prevent childhood stunting, ensure food and nutrition security for Timor-Leste’s most vulnerable households, and boost their immune systems. It will also provide an economic boost to local producers and agriculture micro and small-sized enterprises to recover from the impact of COVID-19,” Asian Development Bank Senior Project Officer Jose Perreira said.
Following circular economy principles, the project aims to multiply its economic stimulus impact by sourcing all necessary components domestically.
The food baskets thus support incomes for farmers across Timor Leste. The baskets themselves are also sourced locally, using 100% renewable plant materials.
The project will help the government reach 25.000 people in the most vulnerable areas of Dili, Baucau, bobonaro, Covalima and Oecusse.
The initiative also represents closer cooperation and new relationships between the UNDP, ADB and Government of Timor Leste.
Each basket contains 15kg of rice, 5kg of ground maize, 5kg of assorted legumes, four types of long-shelf-life vegetables, fruits and salt.
“The rice, maize and beans are being sourced from the Loja dos Agricultores – which manages more than 100 local farmers – while the fruits and vegetables are being sourced directly from local farmers,” according to the press release.
Funding for the project is comprised of US$1 million from the Government of Japan under the Asia Pacific Disaster Response Fund of the Asian Development Bank, and US$105,000 from the UNDP.
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