BTL get the support of a water tank truck from UNICEF and ADB

DILI, 16 july 2021 (TATOLI)- Bee Timor- Leste (BTL) got the support of a water tank truck offered by the United Nation Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and Asian Development Bank (ADB) to manage transporting water to refill tanks in 33 schools.

The President of Bee TL, Carlos Peloi dos Reis said that BTL is one of the institutions established by the government of TL to provide water and sanitation available for all communities.

“I thanked for the longstanding commitment from development partners supporting the government of Timor-Leste and today the support is available with a water tank truck for supplying water for schools in dili and some washing hands materials, permanent towers and tanks has been established in four municipalities,” told Peloi at Basic school Paiol, Lahane Oriental, this thursday.

UNICEF and ADB support BTL for the insulation of 91 permanent group hands washing stations in 91 schools and water tanks with towers in 33 schools in four municipalities.

BTL through its president, Carlos Peloi dos, received a key of the water tank truck from the supporters such as UNICEF and ADB

The representative of UNICEF in Timor-Leste, Bilal Aurang Zeb Durrani said that this support of water tank truck to provide water supply to some schools and making water available for children for hands washing to comply with the COVID-19 prevention measure.

With risk mitigating measures in place, it can be a safer environment for children than being out-schools. This evidence shows schools do not drive the spread of COVID -19 do not pose a high risk to children.

Mr. Durrani thanks the government of Timor-Leste for their work to afford for the spreading of covid-19 mitigation.

UNICEF is pleased to know that the government of TL is reactivating the school learning process today. This support is provided to ensure all students have access to water for hand washing. More than 400 children are temporarily paused from their study due to the pandemic situation. The school closures impact school learning, health and well-being.

Durrani calls on all authorities to focus on children’s needs to access health, education and be able to achieve b in the bright future.

He revealed to everyone to comply with the COVID-19 prevention measures such as hands washing, wearing a mask and keeping social distance.

ADB and UNICEF provide water installation to help children for hand washing in Dili, Ermera, Manatutu and Likisá municipalities.

The government is planning to reactivate the school learning process soon and it is most important to make available water supply for children for hand washing.

The vice minister of education, youth and Sport, António Guterres thanked UNICEF, ADB and other development partners for supporting.

He calls on all communities, especially for school authorities and students to use all water equipment on responsibility.

The ADB, José Pereira Considers COVID-19 is globally programmed and this virus affected people around the world. To ensure all children are safe from this disease and avoid regular hands washing.

“ADB funded more than $300 thousand on this program for water tanks and other washing hand equipment,” said Pereira.

UNICEF also funded for human resource and infrastructure. The expenses of this program for partitions composed of permanent tower tanks cost $142 thousand, the immediate support purchased thirty thousand buckets cost $130 thousand and physical cost $28 thousand,” WAHS Specialist Surange De Silva told TATOLI Agency.

The Coordinator of Escola Basica Filial Paiol, João Gusmão thanks for this support and it is useful for hand washing. The students are feeling comfortable to attend the learning process. He realizes that COVID-19 is a serious infectious disease and every part must be aware of COVID-19 mitigating preventive measures.

Journalist: José Belarmino de Sá

Editor: Rafy Belo