Food baskets being distributed to Timor Leste’s most vulnerable communities arrived in Bobonaro Municipality and the island of Atauro in early September, thanks to cooperation between the UNDP, Asian Development Bank, Government of Japan and Government of Timor Leste.

One hundred households and 30 orphans in Atauro received food baskets on September 3, and 100 households and 200 orphans in Maliana in Bobonaro Municipality received food baskets on September 11. The essential food baskets are sourced directly from local farmers and via the government-supported Loja dos Agricultores syndicate.

Following circular economy principles, the project aims to multiply its economic stimulus impact by sourcing all necessary components domestically. The food baskets thus support incomes for farmers across Timor Leste. The baskets themselves are also sourced locally, using 100% renewable plant materials.

Funding for the project is comprised of US$1 million from the Government of Japan under the Asia Pacific Disaster Response Fund of the Asian Development Bank, and US$105,000 from the UNDP.

This will help the government reach 25,000 people in the most vulnerable areas of Dili, Baucau, Bobonaro, Covalima and Oecusse. The initiative also represents closer cooperation and new relationships between the UNDP, ADB and Government of Timor Leste. Distribution will continue throughout August and September 2020, with a target of 5000 individuals per municipality.  

Each basket contains 15kg of rice, 5kg of ground maize, 5kg of assorted legumes, four types of long-shelf-life vegetables, fruits and salt. The rice, maize and beans are being sourced from the Loja dos Agricultores – which manages more than 100 local farmers – while the fruits and vegetables are being sourced directly from local farmers.

“The project will help prevent childhood stunting, ensure food and nutrition security for Timor-Leste’s most vulnerable households, and boost their immune systems. It will also provide an economic boost to local producers and agriculture micro and small-sized enterprises to recover from the impact of COVID-19,” said Asian Development Bank Senior Project Officer Jose Perreira. 

For more information please contact Accelerator Lab Head of Exploration Francisco De Araujo at francisco.dearaujo@undp.org