China-backed food assistance project launched in Timor-Leste

The launching ceremony of the Food Assistance Project, in which the Chinese government provides food aid to malnourished pregnant and lactating women in Timor-Leste, was held at the Timor-Leste Ministry of Health on Oct 28, 2021. The project was implemented through the United Nations World Food Programme (UNWFP).

Chinese Ambassador to Timor-Leste Xiao Jianguo, Timor-Leste Minister of Health Odete Maria Freitas Belo, and UNWFP representative to Timor-Leste Liu Dageng attended the event.

On behalf of the Timor-Leste government, Belo thanked the Chinese government for its humanitarian assistance to Timor-Leste in health care and food security over the years, especially the food assistance to malnourished pregnant and lactating women. It is of great significance for addressing food insecurity and ensuring the health and safety of mothers and children in the country, said Belo.

Liu thanked China for its generous donation and said the project will be implemented in accordance with the agreement signed between the Chinese government and the UNWFP.

Ambassador Xiao said in his speech that that the worsening COVID-19 pandemic and severe floods from March to April this year have exacerbated food insecurity in Timor-Leste, posing severe challenges to vulnerable groups, such as pregnant and lactating women. 

At the request of the Timor-Leste government, Xiao said, the Chinese government plans to provide food assistance to malnourished pregnant and lactating women in Timor-Leste through cooperation with the UNWFP. 

This project is under the South-South Cooperation Assistance Fund administered by the China International Development Cooperation Agency. It aims to alleviate the severe difficulties faced by malnourished pregnant and lactating women in Timor-Leste and improve malnutrition of these women, reduce the risk of infection and adverse pregnancy outcomes, and increase the fertility rate.