DILI, 23 august 2021 (TATOLI) – The Country Representative of the World Bank, Bernard Harbone, met with the Prime Minister, Taur Matan Ruak to discuss the financial support of the US$5 million, given by the World Bank to assist Timor-Leste’s efforts to combat the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
“The World Bank had helped Timor-Leste in many ways. We have supported Timor-Leste, with the US$5 million to combat the Covid-19 pandemic. We have supported Timor-Leste through several projects in several sectors, including education, health, infrastructure, tourism, and economic diversification. Some projects were focused solely on economic recovery because, during the past 10 years, Timor-Leste experienced a decline in petroleum revenue,” Harbone made the comments after meeting the Prime Minister, Taur Matan Ruak, at his residence in Farol, Dili, on Tuesday.
The World Bank had invested in Water and Sanitation, focusing on two municipalities — Dili and Baucau municipality.
“The World Bank did concern with the life of the communities in the two municipalities, following the April flash flood. So, investing in water and sanitation was considered to be part of the solution to solve the difficulties facing the population,” said Harbone.
He said the meeting with Prime Minister Ruak was an opportunity to present a program that World Bank had planned to implement in Timor-Leste.
“Combating the Covid-19 pandemic was one of the principal programs of the World Bank. We are surprised by the good result of combating the Covid-19 in the country and we are satisfied that Timor-Leste had invested a lot in the vaccination campaign to get all eligible populations vaccinated. Vaccination is the only way to combat the Covid-19,” added Harbone.
Journalist: Antonia Gusmão
Editor: Julia Chatarina
Translation: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges Rosario
