At a glance: Timor-Leste

Background

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This map does not reflect a position by UNICEF on the legal status of any country or territory or the delimitation of any frontiers.

Incidents of political unrest and violence in the capital Dili have disrupted the lives of thousands of Timorese children and forced many families to flee their homes. The country’s development planning focuses on building the systems and infrastructure that can deliver much-needed services. UNICEF is facilitating that process by training medical personnel, teachers, principals, judges, police and social workers.

Issues facing children in Timor-Leste

• Tens of thousands of people displaced by the unrest are living in hastily erected camps and shelters.
• More than 60 per cent of the population is under age 18. Ensuring their future will be a major challenge; the unemployment rate is currently 43 per cent among young urban males.
• Infant and under-five mortality rates are relatively high, with malaria, diarrhoea and respiratory infections taking a heavy toll. Contaminated drinking water, inadequate sanitation and poor nutrition exacerbate the health risks.
• Routine immunization coverage remains low, leading to outbreaks of preventable diseases such as measles.
• Timor-Leste has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the region. Few pregnant women receive preventive prenatal care.
• Medical facilities are now adequately staffed and equipped, but they are not regularly utilized.
• The HIV/AIDS prevalence rate is currently low, but sexual practices and local beliefs combined with a lack of awareness could set the stage for the virus to spread.
• Literacy rates are low.
• Domestic and gender-based violence is commonplace.

Activities and results for children

• UNICEF procures vaccines, cold-chain equipment and essential drugs for health facilities around the country.
• All midwives have been trained in facilitating clean and safe deliveries.
• Medical personnel have received training on the new National Nutrition Strategy and the importance of breastfeeding. Mother Support Groups now operate in five districts to encourage breastfeeding.
• After a 2005 outbreak of polio in neighbouring Indonesia, UNICEF immunized 175,000 children in Timor-Leste. Public education campaigns are raising awareness of the need for immunization, HIV/AIDS prevention, hygiene and good nutrition.
• More than 1,200 children received deworming treatment in a pilot project at seven schools.
• Vitamin A supplements were given to 92 per cent of children under age five.
• More than 4,200 family latrines were constructed, and hundreds of wells and water systems were built or repaired. Twenty-four primary schools received new water and sanitation systems.
• UNICEF supported the development and implementation of a new national primary school curriculum.
• UNICEF has provided supplies and technical assistance to make birth registration systematic.
• A National Commission on the Rights of the Child has been established.