DILI, 02 june 2021 (TATOLI) – Timor-Leste and the Australian government will celebrate an agreement on a financial contribution to support COVID-19 related community resilience efforts.
“The Council of Ministers approved the authorization for the conclusion of an agreement, presented by the Finance Minister, Rui Agusto Gomes, between the Australian and Timorese government, regarding financial contribution to support the communities’ resilience and economic recovery in Timor-Leste during the COVID-19 time,” Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Fidelis Manuel Leite Magalhães made the comments after the executive’s meeting at the Ministry of Finance, in Dili, on Wednesday.
Magalhães said the Australian government would provide financial support, totaling US$15.5 million to assist the communities with infrastructure development through Timor-Leste’s National Village Development Program (PNDS) and the Bolsa da Gãe – Jerasaun Foun project.
Previously, in May 2020, the Government of Australia offered US$ 4.6 million to support the PNDS program, which benefited 150 villages by constructing basic infrastructures, such as irrigation, clean water supply, and so on.
While, the Bolsa da Mãe project implemented by the Ministry of Social Solidarity and Inclusion (MSSI) was aimed to reduce malnutrition and poverty, targeting pregnant mothers and babies under the age of three.
MSSI would provide US$15 to pregnant mothers; the amount would be increased to US$20 per month right from the time when the baby was born. In addition, those babies who were born with disabilities would receive US$30 monthly.
The Bolsa da Mae program had been implemented since 2012, which each beneficiary received US$60 per year.
According to MSSI official data, Timor-Leste has 47.539 beneficiaries of the Bolsa da Mãe program across the country.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges Rosario
