DILI, 09 march 2022 (TATOLI) – The Government of Timor-Leste, through the meeting of the Council of Ministers, on wednesday, had approved a resolution to provide US$1.5 million to support the Ukrainians amid the invasion of Russia.
The US$1.5 million would be given to the World Food Program (WFP) to support food as humanitarian aid to Ukrainians during the war with Russia.
“The Council of Minister has approved, today, US$1.5 million to be given to WFP to support the Ukrainians,” Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Fidelis Manuel Leite Magalhães told reporters after the meeting of the Council of Ministers at the Palace of Government, in Dili, today.
He said the crisis in Ukraine stirs concerns among many countries, including Timor-Leste: “The Government of Timor-Leste has manifested its solidarity to the people of Ukraine amid the invasion of Russia.”
Last week, Timorese Prime Minister, Taur Matan Ruak, expressed Timor-Leste’s solidarity with the people of Ukraine, saying the invasion of Russia on Ukraine’s national territory is unacceptable.
“On behalf of Timorese people, I would like to manifest our solidarity with the Ukrainians who are currently defending their land, their right and their independence against the invasion of Russia,” Ruak made the comments at the commemoration of the National Veterans Day, at the Headquarters of the Timorese National Defense Force (F-FDTL), in Fatuhada, Dili, last week.
Ruak said Timor-Leste experienced the worst impact of the foreign invasion during 24 years of resistance against Indonesian occupation, saying, therefore, Timor-Leste is totally against any type of invasion, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine’s territory.
More than two million people have fled Ukraine, 12 days after Russia invaded the country on february 24, 2022.
Ukraine claimed that over 10.000 Russian soldiers have been killed since the war began last month.
The United Nations human rights office said on tuesday (08/03) that it had verified 1.335 civilian casualties in Ukraine, including 474 killed and 861 injured during Russia’s invasion, Reuters reported.
Related news:Timorese Prime Minister expresses solidarity to the people of Ukraine
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Rafy Belo
