DILI, 28 december, 2021 (TATAOLI)- The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) report shows 47.8 percent of children in Timor-Leste live under the national poverty line.
“The data provided is based on the situation in Timor-Leste. after an analytical survey conducted by UNICEF, showed that 40% of children aged 0-17 years while 24% were adolescents aged 10-19 years, of which 47.8 percent lived below the national poverty line,” UNICEF Representative in Timor-Leste, Billal Durrani, said in the context of launching the Child data analysis held at the MF conference room, Aitarak-Laran, today.
Durani stressed, with the analysis of children’s data, will help the Government to adjust the data on programs that can improve children’s rights, improve the situation of children in Timor-Leste by 2022 to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals as articulated in 2030.
“The draft situation analysis was incorporated into the development of the United Nations Sustainable Development Corporation Framework for 2021-2025,” Durani said.
The Commissioner for the Protection of the Rights of the Child (CPC), Dinorah Granadeiro said Timor-Leste had made significant progress for children and youth. However, much work remains to be done to prevent vulnerable children from being left behind.
The majority of children aged 0-17 years who will also make up 43 percent of the country’s population in 2021, continue to face challenges in their lives, especially their right to access education, Health Facilities, Water and Sanitation, Hygiene, and protection
It is known that in 2017, nearly 80% of the population at least had access to basic drinking water, with a large disparity between urban and rural areas while nearly 30% of the population lived in rural areas without access to clean water.
“Therefore The Children’s Data Analysis from UNICEF becomes a reference for the Commission to link with children’s rights and protection to evaluate in 2021,” said Granadeiro.
At the same place, Minister of Finance Rui Agosto Gomes appreciated the efforts of development partners in providing a data analysis report on the situation of the Timorese Child, “This helps all entities to focus on programs that will be implemented in 2022,”
Mr. Gomes stated that in the 2022 State Budget, the Government of Timor Leste has prepared USD 226 million or 3.25% for human capital, to prioritize education, health, and capacity building for every citizen.
In addition, the government has also allocated 300 million USD for the “Bolsa da Mae Jerasaun foun” program (a scholarship program) which does not include financial support of 6.4 million USD from the Partnership Country, Australia.
According to Gomes, the scholarship program “Bolsa da Mae Jerasaun Foun” has been implemented by the Government so far, and will continue to be implemented in the municipalities of Ainaro, Bobonaro, and Oecusse-Ambeno. “This program will benefit more than 100,000 people,” said Gomes.
Journalist: José Belarmino De Sá
Editor: Nelia B
