DILI, 04 january 2022 (TATOLI) – The government of Australia is committed to supporting the New Generation of Mother’s Allowance (Bolsa da Mãe) program.
“Australia is proud to support the implementation of the Timor-Leste National Strategy for Social Protection (NSSP) 2021-30, particularly, in providing financial support to the New Generation of the Mother’s Allowance program,” Suzanne Wilson-Uilelea, the Charge d’Affaires of Australia in Timor-Leste told reporters after the official launch of the NSSP 2021-30, at the City-8 Hall, in Dili, on friday.
Wilson said that the Mother’s Allowance would have great impacts in the future: “We will support the pregnant mothers, malnourished and vulnerable children across the country.”
The Bolsa da Mãe program is currently the only program in Timor-Leste that targets poor and vulnerable households with children.
The objectives of the program are to help reduce poverty, promote attendance of nine years of compulsory basic education, and increase the utilization of primary health care services.
In june 2021, in his message to the people of Timor-Leste, the former Ambassador of Australia to Timor-Leste, Peter Roberts said that Australia provided an economic recovery package of AUD20 million (about USD15.5 million) to support the households and stimulate economic activity. The money will fund 244 community infrastructure projects through the National Village Development Program (PNDS). The funding will also support the government to establish a new social support payment for the New Generation Mother’s Allowance (Bolsa da Mãe) for pregnant women and young children.
“Our economic recovery package is in addition to our usual development assistance of AUD100 million per year in recognition of the financial hardship wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.
At the City-8 Hall, the Deputy Minister of Social Solidarity and Inclusion, Signi Chandrawati said that in 2022, the payment of the Mother’s Allowance would be made first in three municipalities, namely Ainaro, Bobonaro, and OeCusse.
“Under the New Generation of the Mother’s Allowance, all pregnant mothers are eligible to receive financial support. The payment would be made by transferring the money to the bank account of the beneficiaries,” Chandrawati said.
She said the program provides cash transfers of US$15 per pregnant mother, adding once the child was born the amount would be increased up to US$20 per month: “In addition, a child who’s born with a disability would receive US$30 per month.”
Related news:TL Government approves subsidy for New Generation of Bolsa da Mãe
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Rafy Belo
