BOBONARO, 07 may 2022 (TATOLI) – Vice Minister of Health, Bonifácio Mau Coli dos Reis, together with the U.S. Chargé d’Affaires, Tom Daley, and USAID Mission Director Zema Semunegus inaugurated a U.S.-funded borehole to provide clean water to ensure the integrity of the health quarantine process in the Batugade quarantine center, in Bobonaro Municipality.
The borehole is part of U.S. efforts to support Timor-Leste in strengthening its health security to combat COVID-19 in the country.
“This new borehole is another indication of the U.S. commitment to help Timor-Leste beat back COVID-19 and strengthen health security,” said U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Tom Daley at the inauguration ceremony borehole, in Batugade of Bobonaro Municipality, yesterday.
Daley emphasized that: “Timor-Leste can continue to count on the support of the United States every step of the way as we get through this pandemic. Together, we will end the pandemic, jumpstart economic recovery, and build a safer and more prosperous future for all of our citizens.”
It is one element of a US$2.3 million project funded by the United States through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command to strengthen health security.
The project includes the borehole, a water reservoir tank, pump, and motor to help the facility control the spread of COVID-19.
In addition, UNICEF is also partnering with the Ministry of Health to provide water and public toilet facilities to the border crossing facility along with handwashing stations to the quarantine facility.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, the United States has worked side-by-side with the Government of Timor-Leste to provide more than 200.000 Pfizer vaccines and over US$6.4 million in critical assistance to fight COVID-19.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Nelia Borges Rosario
