DILI, 18 March 2025 (TATOLI) – The government, through the Ministry of Social Solidarity and Inclusion (MSSI), has allocated US$2 million to the Social Solidarity Institution (ISS) to fund community groups that care for vulnerable people.
Of the US$2 million, Uma Mahon received US$509,967.65, Orphanages received US$282,147.86, Community Centers received US$660,230, and People with Disabilities Groups received US$547,650.82.
The budget allocated by the government to these organizations is intended to support orphans, underprivileged children, and people with disabilities, who are considered vulnerable groups. Therefore, those responsible must use this budget carefully.
In his speech, the Vice Prime Minister, Minister Coordinator for Social Affairs and Minister of Rural Development and Community Housing, Mariano Assanami Sabino, said that providing solidarity support to the homeless, orphans, and people with disabilities is a constitutional obligation: “Therefore, the government is fulfilling its duty to support them in every possible way.”
He said that the government puts people at the center of development and does not want to leave anyone behind, which means that all citizens have the right to equal treatment from the state.
“Timor-Leste has a lot of wealth, but this alone will not guarantee the country’s future. The only wealth that can drive the country forward is its people. Therefore, the government wants to invest heavily in human resources to ensure the future of the country, just as many countries like Singapore have shown within ASEAN,” Assanami added.
He concluded: “Looking at these examples, we want to invest in people because while natural resources may run out, knowledge will not. People will make various innovations to ensure the country’s sustainability.”
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