DILI, 02 September 2025 (TATOLI) – The World Food Programme (WFP), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and International Labour Organization (ILO), under the United Nations (UN) umbrella, in cooperation with the Government of Timor-Leste, held a Joint Inception Meeting for the European Union (EU)-funded project titled “Strengthening Social Inclusion and Nutrition in Timor-Leste.”
Jacqueline De Groot, WFP Representative in Timor-Leste, stated that the project marks a significant milestone in collective efforts to strengthen essential services and promote inclusive, sustainable development.
“By integrating nutrition, health, education, water and sanitation, and social protection, today’s meeting is not just a formal launch-it is a space for dialogue, coordination, and co-creation,” De Groot said at City8 in Dili on Tuesday.
She emphasized that the project is a living example of unity, bringing together government, communities, and partners in service of a brighter future for girls, boys, women, and men in Timor-Leste.
“In this spirit, UNICEF, ILO, and WFP are proud to join hands with national and local authorities to deliver sustainable, locally owned solutions. On behalf of UNICEF, WFP, and ILO, I thank you for your presence and wish you a productive discussion. We look forward to working together to deliver lasting change for the people of Timor-Leste,” she added.
Also speaking at the event, Vice-Minister for Hospital Operationalization Flávio Brandão, representing Vice Prime Minister for Social Affairs Mariano Sabino Lopes ‘Assanami,’ expressed gratitude to the EU, WFP, UNICEF, and ILO for their continued support of nutrition programs aimed at reducing malnutrition in Timor-Leste.
“We appreciate and thank them for their ongoing support. This project, financed by the EU and implemented by WFP, UNICEF, and ILO in collaboration with the Government of Timor-Leste and local NGOs, aims to reduce malnutrition across the country,” Brandão said.
He noted that the EU-funded project is a continuation of previous efforts, and that today’s Joint Inception Meeting serves as a platform to identify better solutions for implementation in the municipalities of Aileu, Ainaro, and Oecusse, where malnutrition remains a concern.
The project, financed by the European Union, will be implemented from 2025 to 2030 by WFP, UNICEF, and ILO in cooperation with inter-ministerial bodies and local non-governmental organizations.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Rafael Ximenes de A. Belo
