DILI, 19 january 2024 (TATOLI) – The European Union (EU) released the final disbursement, totalling €1,212,500, to support the Nutrition program in Timor-Leste. This disbursement marks the completion of the Partnership for Improving Nutrition in Timor-Leste (PINTL) project, concluded on 31 December 2023. With this final payment, the EU contributed with €12,586,500 to the Nutrition sector over the past five years in Timor-Leste.
The EU’s support was implemented through Budget Support modality, in collaboration with the Nutrition Directorate of the Ministry of Health, complemented by support from the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF). The program aimed to sustainably reduce all forms of malnutrition in Timor-Leste, enhancing population nutrition, with a specific focus on the first 1000 days of life.
The program supported the Ministry of Health in the overall implementation of the National Nutrition Strategy, aligning with the Government’s national priorities of the Strategic Development Plan. Additionally, the PINTL program contributed to the SDG 2 (zero hunger) and to the Timor-Leste Consolidated National Action Plan for Nutrition and Food Security for 2020-2030.
Through PINTL, the EU directly contributed to coordinate and harmonize external assistance on nutrition in Timor-Leste and promoted the policy dialogue on nutrition between the Government of Timor-Leste and nutrition stakeholders.
The EU made budget support payments, when the Government demonstrated the implementation of previously agreed public policies and reforms linked to nutrition, and achievement of agreed targets on public finance management and transparency in the application of the budget. The EU stands ready to consider the provision of an extra amount of €375,000, if further information on the achievement of other indicators is provided in the short term.
Although the PINTL project concluded in 2023, the EU will continue to support the nutrition sector in Timor-Leste. In future, EU support will help tackle malnutrition through social protection and by engaging with a range of different sectors.
Journalist: Jose Belarmino de Sa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
