DILI, 22 september, 2021 (TATOLI)—The government of Japan through the Japanese Embassy in Timor-Leste has offered 16 million USD for the government of Timor-Leste since the county is affected by covid-19 in 2020.
Japanese Ambassador to TL, Kinefuchi Masami said, since Timor-Leste encounter the pandemic, Japan was quickly provided support through the partners to support the TL health system.
“Overall, the Covid-19 related aid from Japan is accumulated over $16 million. In addition, Japan handed over 168,000 doses of Astra Zeneca vaccine produced in Japan last month,” Ambassador Masami in his speech at the signing of the agreement with WFP (World Food Program), held in Hotel Timor Dili.
In addition, Japan has provided 5.000 blankets for the flood devastating victims on April 4 when the country was hit by flood, at the same time Japanese Government also funded $1 million for the “Hamutuk harii Komunidade” program implemented together with the ADB and UNDP.
Currently, the JICA expert team is on the way to Timor-Leste to inspect infrastructure across the country to create a plan for the restoration of the damaged infrastructure and required rehabilitation.
It was recalled that since Japan hosted the first donor meeting for TL in 1999 in Tokyo, Japan has been a major development partner for TL for more than 20 years. This bilateral cooperation is mainly focused on infrastructure development and human resource development through JICA.
“We also understand that there are other needs, and are implementing many other projects to meet the demands of partnering with UN organizations and NGOs,” he said.
Concerning the food security issues, the Japanese government supports the people of Timor-Leste by expanding irrigation systems in Maliana and Laelia, and continues to offer technical assistance to increase rice production: “The Japanese NGO also promotes the production of Ohakahur, a nutritious topping for rice and potatoes, which is also used for Escolar Crochet,” he said.
Japan is also funding clean water supply projects for major water systems such as in Bemos, Lahane, and Benamauk in Dili and many others in different municipalities and communities: “As a Covid-19 related project, we are supporting the food basket program through ADB/UNDP with a fund of $1 million,”
“As the Ambassador of Japan, I will assure you that Japan and the Japanese people will continue to be true friends of TL and its people. We will continue to help build the nation for the coming years whatever we can in the spirit of true solidarity and friendship,” he concluded.
Journalist: José Belarmino De Sá
Editor: Nelia Borges Rosario
