Dili, June 24, 2025 (Lusa) - The European Union on Tuesday made €12 million available to support the UN in combating malnutrition in Timor-Leste, which affects almost half of children under the age of five in the country.
“The main objective of this support is to improve school nutrition, especially for children and pregnant women,” said the European Union ambassador to Timor-Leste, Marc Fiedrich.
The €12 million will be made available under an agreement signed with the World Food Programme (WFP), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
“The agreement signed today represents a significant step forward in the shared commitment between the European Union and its partners to support national efforts to build a healthier and more inclusive future for all Timorese citizens,” the ambassador stressed.
According to Marc Fiedrich, support for nutrition at the household level and the link between school feeding and local food production not only improves diets but also combats malnutrition and strengthens community capacity.
The initiative will benefit vulnerable segments of the Timorese population by improving access to nutritious food, quality healthcare and effective social protection services, particularly for pregnant and lactating women, children under five and school-age children.
The initiative is expected to directly benefit around 150,000 people in rural communities in the areas of Dili, Aileu, Ainaro, Covalima, Ermera, Lautém, Liquiçá and Viqueque.
“It is essential that we use all available resources effectively and work together to maximise the impact of our interventions and avoid duplication of efforts. Strategies and plans are essential, but they must be translated into concrete actions on the ground,” the ambassador stressed.
According to data released by the government, 47% of children under the age of 5 suffer from chronic malnutrition, 8.6% from acute malnutrition, 32% are underweight and have vitamin A, iron and iodine deficiencies.
In March, the Timorese authorities presented a multisectoral nutrition action plan, which aims to reduce child stunting to 25% by 2030, focusing on newborns and children up to 23 months old and women of reproductive age.
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