DILI, 21 November 2025 (TATOLI) – Japan has committed US$700,000 to support Timor-Leste’s School Feeding Programme through a partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP). The funding will help the Ministry of Education implement the programme next year.
The agreement was formalised on Friday by Japan’s Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Kimura Tetsuya, WFP Representative Amin Said, and the Minister of Education, Dulce de Jesus.
Through this support, WFP will work with the Ministry of State Administration and the Ministry of Education to deliver 330 tonnes of rice to 350 schools, benefiting more than 100,000 children in Covalima, Aileu, Lautém and Dili.
Ambassador Kimura said Japan hopes the assistance will contribute to children’s development. “We hope this rice will give children the energy to grow well and succeed in school. We also believe that its distribution will help create healthier eating habits and increase knowledge about nutrition, contributing to the physical and mental well-being of children in Timor-Leste,” he said.
WFP Representative Amin Said stressed the importance of Japan’s contribution and its alignment with national priorities.
“We deeply appreciate Japan’s support. This assistance responds to the Government’s priority of ensuring nutritious meals for all children, helping them learn and grow. WFP will continue working with the Ministries of State Administration and Education to strengthen the national school feeding system,” he said.
Said emphasised that the School Feeding Programme is considered an essential investment in human capital, helping to reduce hunger and improve nutrition. “Japan’s support aims to strengthen the programme to protect the health and well-being of children through the school feeding system.”
Minister Dulce de Jesus expressed deep gratitude to the Japanese Government for its continued support. “This partnership goes beyond the delivery of food; it represents a shared vision to support more than 100,000 students, to strengthen the foundations of our National School Feeding Programme in 2026 and to open a path toward a healthier, more educated and more prosperous Timor-Leste. School meals, more than food, are an investment in the education, health and future of our nation,” she said.
She also acknowledged WFP’s continued partnership and “the dedication demonstrated to improve food security and nutrition in the country.”
TATOLI
