DILI, 9 december 2021 (TATOLI) – The US Development Agency (USAID) supports Timor-Leste with an additional $1.5 million to fight COVID-19 in the country.
“The United States is pleased to add additional funding to the scope of the COVID-19 response in Timor-Leste,” said the US Embassy’s Charge d’affd’Affaires, Tom Daley, at the Ministry of Health office, Dili.
This assistance comes through the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and intends to continue the program for mother and child, providing personal protective equipment to doctors in 71 health centers and health authorities in 12 municipalities including Oé-Cusse Ambeno, providing Oxygen concentrator for isolation center in Dili Municipality and oxygen therapy for patients in critical condition due to COVID-19 from Guido Valadares Nacional Hospital and regional hospitals.
UNICEF’s representative in Timor-Leste, Bilal Zeb Durrani, said the organization had contributed to the fight against COVID-19 in the country.
“UNICEF has taken the lead in supporting the Government of Timor Leste in all aspects of fighting COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic, such as operational development and vaccine provision,” he said.
According to Durani, the partnership with USAID helped to reach 1.1 million people. The fund also helps people access information about preventing and controlling these infections and ensuring that children and mothers receive the health care essential to save lives.
Director-General of Health Services, Odete Viegas, on the other hand, said USAID’s support through UNICEF coincided with the critical situation and response to the pandemic in Timor-Leste.
“These funds contribute to responding to the impact of COVID-19 in Timor-Leste, particularly prevention, treatment, and vaccination of the most vulnerable populations,” She said.
It is known, the US has provided piped water to 14 health posts in Covalima, Ermera and Manatuto to prevent the transmission of Covid-19. US aid includes US$5.9 million, as well as shipments of 100,620 doses of Pfizer vaccine.
TATOLI
