Symbolic Handover Ceremony of 11 Community Infrastructures across 4 Municipalities

Empowering Rural Communities Through Resilient Infrastructure in Timor-Leste

October 29, 2025

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) held a symbolic handover of 11 community infrastructures in Liquica Municipality on 24 October 2025. The 11 constructions, implemented by the Community Infrastructure for Resilience Project (CIREP), were officially inaugurated and handed over from UNDP to the Ministry of State Administration and the responsible government institutions, including the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Public Works.

The 11 construction were completed in August 2025 across four municipalities: Liquica, Bobonaro, Ermera, and RAEOA. These community-based facilities include water supply systems, public toilets, bridges, rainwater harvesting systems, gabion walls, and maternity health centers. They will enhance the resilience of rural communities and improve access to basic services for 41,375 individuals (50% women)/ 9,812 households in four municipalities.

As part of the construction activities, the project also created short-term employment for 1,067 individuals (51% women) in the 11 target communities through the Community Employment Scheme (CES) program. The 11 constructions, including CES activity, were conducted with US$553,600.72 funded by the Government of Japan.

The handover ceremony, held at the Maternity Health Center in Suco Vaviquinha, Liquica Municipality, featured a significant impact on rural communities.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the official handover of the new health facility to the Head of Maubara Health Post, symbolizing its opening to serve the local community and improve healthcare delivery.

Edy Ramos/ UNDP TImor-Leste

“Today is not only a celebration of a physical structure but a symbol of partnership, resilience, the collective progress toward improving life, and the well-being of our people” said Mr. José dos Reis Magno, First Vice Minister for Institutional Strengthening in Health, Ministry of Health.

“We encourage the sustainable use of the facilities at the community level.” mentioned Mr. Julio do Carmo, Vice Minister of Public Works.

“Through working together with the government of Timor-Leste, the Government of Japan, UNDP, and our local communities, we can ensure that these infrastructures will bring long-term benefit for all” said Mr. António Augusto Guterres, Director General of Decentralization and Local Power, Ministry of State Administration

First Vice Minister of Health, Vice Minister of Public Works, DG of MSA, Japan Ambassador, UNDP Resident Representative, and medical staff in Liquica Municipality

Edy Ramos/ UNDP Timor-Leste

“In Japan, we say health is wealth. When it comes to basic infrastructure, it is important that everyone is healthy. Especially good health for children and pregnant women is our priority” emphasized H.E. Mr. KIMURA Tetsuya, Ambassador of Japan to Timor-Leste.

Finally, “These infrastructures serve as a foundation for sustainable growth by improving access to basic services, fostering social connections, supporting local economy, and improving quality of life” underlined by Ms. Katyna Argueta, Resident Representative of UNDP Timor-Leste.

Another set of 12 constructions is currently underway in four municipalities, having commenced in September 2025, with completion anticipated in February 2026.

To capture the real impact of these initiatives, UNDP Timor-Leste documented stories from beneficiaries across the 11 construction sites. Let us hear the voices and experiences of community members who have witnessed how these infrastructures - from bridges and water supply systems to sanitation and health facilities - are transforming daily life, addressing long-standing challenges, and bringing lasting positive change to rural communities. Watch the video below to see how resilience is being built, one community at a time.

About UNDP-CIREP Project

The CIREP project (2023-2027), in partnership with the Ministry of State Administration, safeguards rural communities by strengthening the resilience of community infrastructures and improving access to basic services in health, education, irrigation, water, and sanitation. With US$5 million in financial support from the Government of Japan, the project conducts the construction of 46 community infrastructures in Bobonaro, Ermera, Liquiça, and the Special Administrative Region of Oé-Cusse Ambeno (RAEOA).