DILI,10 December 2021 ( TATOLI) – The Deputy Country Director of United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in Timor – Leste Ashley James Rogers, welcome the financial contribution totaling $120,000 from the Government of Brazil for humanitarian assistance to support the livelihood activities of victims impacted by the April floods in Timor-Leste.
“WFP is grateful for the generous contribution from Brazil. The support will help rebuild the communities and smallholder farmers affected by the April 4 floods by improvement of horticulture productivity and livestock rearing.” Rogers highlighted in a statement.
The farmer groups will be directly benefited from the provision of seeds, pesticides, fertilizer, and farm equipment and purchase the livestock, and offer capacity building for the management of livestock for the farmers.
“There are 11 farmers groups of beneficiaries and a total of 193 direct beneficiaries, for 6 months,”
The Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Pedro dos Reis extends his sincere appreciation for the generous support from the Government of Brazil saying that the contribution agreement between the Government of Brazil and WFP to support the Government of Timor Leste will be critical to reviving the livelihoods activity of Timorese people.
“The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is consistently in the position to be working in parallel with the Government of Brazil, WFP, and other development partners to develop the sector which I lead to the stage which we are all aiming to be,” said Reis.
The Ambassador of Brazil in Timor – Leste Mauricio Medeiros Assis in his statement revealed his country’s willingness to strengthen the coordination with Timor-Leste and Partners to eradicate zero hunger and transform the food system for the achievement of the 2030 SDG.
“The funding from the Government of Brazil will provide horticulture and livestock for the income of farmers and improving market linkages within the municipality of Bobonaro and in the capital Dili,”
MAF plans to support framer groups by facilitating sales through the MAF’s market entity.
In Timor-Leste, food security and malnutrition remain an ongoing challenge, with over one-third of the population chronically food insecure. Among children under 5 years of age, 47% are stunted, 8.6% are wasted, and 32% are underweight.
Among women of reproductive age, 30% suffer from anemia.
Specifically, the impact of the April floods and the COVID-19 have further exacerbated food security and the nutrition gap in Timor-Leste. These had overarching impacts on livelihoods, supply chain, and market functionality. Affecting more than 31,000 households in the country, the floods have destroyed 2,660 hectares of irrigated land.
Due to the rising food prices and loss of income, 38% of the households had to reduce the quality of their diet due to a lack of money or resources. 21% in the lowest wealth quantiles had to skip a meal, according to the socio-economic impact assessment conducted by the Government of Timor-Leste.
The Ambassador of Brazil in Timor – Leste Mauricio Medeiros Assis is delighted to launch this program with UNWFP and the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.
” Brazil is always willing to strengthen its coordination and partnership with the UN and help Timor-Leste to implement its 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development including zero hunger and food systems transformation,” said Mauricio Medeiros Assis.
The funding from the Government of Brazil will provide horticulture and livestock farmers to establish their income base through restoring their assets and improving market linkages within the municipality of Bobonaro and in the capital Dili.
In this effort, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) plans to support framer groups by facilitating sales through the MAF’s market entity.
The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies, building prosperity, and supporting a sustainable future for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impact of climate change.
TATOLI
