Government of China and UNICEF handover of teaching and learning materials to schools impacted by 2021 floods

Tuesday, 26th November 2024, Dili - The Ministry of Education today received teaching and learning materials worth $364 000 from the Government of China through UNICEF, to support the recovery of schools which were affected by the floods of 2021.
The materials, which include 2,000 student chairs, 204 teachers’ chairs and tables, 204 book shelfs and an assortment of stationery, will be further handed over to 34 schools from Bobonaro, Covalima, Dili, and Manufahi. 

“The Ministry of Education appreciates this support from the Government of China and UNICEF, which is helping the education sector to rebuild and to be strengthened against harsh environmental events such as flooding.  These teaching and learning materials support current strategies of the Ministry to always provide inclusive quality education for all children,” said H.E Minister Dulce de Jesus Soares, Minister of Education. 

In April 2021, flash floods across Timor-Leste caused extensive damage to public infrastructure, including 34 schools and teachers’ training centres.  Damage to the school buildings, coupled with the washing away of school materials and furniture, disrupted learning across the affected schools. 

Despite the ongoing efforts on the part of the Government and partners, affected communities continue to need recovery assistance, and require support to build their resilience for the likelihood of similar natural disasters in the future.

This support of teaching and learning materials, is part of the Government of China’s “Emergency support to children in response to floods and COVID-19 in Timor-Leste” programme, which is providing quality nutrition, education and water and sanitation services to support 146,000 people affected by the floods.

“China and Timor-Leste are traditionally friendly nations. We hope this batch of materials can help improve learning conditions for the children of Timor-Leste, support them in realizing their dreams, and encourage them to become pillars of the nation's development,” said H.E.Ms. Wang Wenli, Chinese Ambassador to Timor-Leste. 

“UNICEF recognises and appreciates Government’s leadership to respond to the floods and other emergencies which disrupt learning and other critical areas of children’s survival and development.  Recovery from these traumatic natural events takes time and requires ongoing collaborative efforts.  We are therefore happy with this collaboration with the Government of China, which is helping to restock the critical supplies which were lost in the floods and strengthening and empowering schools to better withstand any future natural disasters,” said Patrizia DiGiovanni, UNICEF Representative.

This current support from the Government of China, complements UNICEF’s support to the Government of Timor-Leste to ensure to minimise the impact of the flooding on children’s learning continuity.  In addition, communities affected by floods are also getting support with access to quality nutrition and water, sanitation, and hygiene services. 
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Governu Xina no UNICEF entrega materiál ensinu no aprendizajen nian ba eskola sira ne'ebé hetan impaktu hosi inundasaun 2021 nian.

Tersa-feira, 26 Novembru 2024, Dili - Ministériu Edukasaun ohin simu materiál ensinu no aprendizajen ho valór $364 000 hosi Governu Xina liuhosi UNICEF, hodi apoia rekuperasaun eskola sira ne'ebé afetadu hosi inundasaun 2021 nian.

Materiál sira ne’ebé inklui kadeira alunu 2.000, kadeira no meza profesór 204, estante livru 204 no sasán eskritóriu oioin, sei entrega liután ba eskola 34 husi Bobonaro, Covalima, Dili, no Manufahi.

“Ministériu Edukasaun apresia apoiu ida ne’e husi Governu Xina no UNICEF, ne’ebé ajuda hela setór edukasaun atu harii fali no atu hametin hasoru eventu ambientál ne’ebé maka’as hanesan inundasaun. Materiál ensinu aprendizajen sira ne’e apoiu estratéjia atuál sira Ministériu nian atu fó nafatin edukasaun ho kualidade inkluzivu ba labarik hotu-hotu,” dehan S.E. Ministra Dulce de Jesus Soares, Ministra Edukasaun.

Iha Abril 2021 inundasaun lalais iha Timor-Leste tomak hamosu estragu boot ba infraestrutura públika, inklui eskola 34 no sentru formasaun ba profesór sira. Estragu ba edifísiu eskola nian, hamutuk ho fase materiál no mobiliáriu eskola nian, perturba aprendizajen iha eskola sira ne'ebé afetadu.

Apezarde esforsu kontinua husi parte Governu no parseiru sira, komunidade sira ne’ebé afetadu kontinua presiza asisténsia rekuperasaun, no presiza apoiu atu harii sira-nia reziliénsia ba posibilidade dezastre naturál hanesan iha futuru.

Doasaun materiál ensinu no aprendizajen ne’e, halo parte iha programa Governu Xina nian “Apoiu emerjénsia ba labarik sira hodi hatán ba inundasaun no COVID-19 iha Timor-Leste”, ne’ebé fornese hela servisu nutrisaun, edukasaun no bee no saneamentu ho kualidade hodi apoia 146,000 ema ne’ebé afetadu husi inundasaun.

“Xina no Timor-Leste nu’udar nasaun ne’ebé tradisionalmente belun. Ami hein lote materiál ida ne’e bele ajuda hadi’a kondisaun aprendizajen ba labarik Timor-Leste, apoia sira hodi realiza sira nia mehi, no enkoraja sira atu sai ai-riin ba dezenvolvimentu nasaun nian.”dehan S.E.Ms. Wang Wenli, Embaixadór Xina nian iha Timor-Leste.

“UNICEF rekoñese no apresia Governu nia lideransa hodi responde ba inundasaun no emerjénsia sira seluk ne’ebé perturba aprendizajen no área krítiku sira seluk ba labarik sira-nia sobrevivénsia no dezenvolvimentu. Rekuperasaun husi eventu naturál traumátiku sira-ne'e presiza tempu no presiza esforsu kolaborativu sira ne'ebé la'o nafatin. Tanba ne'e ami kontente ho kolaborasaun ida-ne'e ho Governu Xina, ne'ebé ajuda atu reforsa fornesimentu krítiku sira ne'ebé lakon iha inundasaun sira no hametin no fó kbiit ba eskola sira atu tahan di'ak liután dezastre naturál sira iha futuru,” dehan Patrizia DiGiovanni, Reprezentante UNICEF.

Apoiu atuál ida ne’e husi Governu Xina, komplementa UNICEF nia apoiu ba Governu Timor-Leste hodi garante minimiza impaktu husi inundasaun ba kontinuidade aprendizajen labarik sira nian. Aleinde ne’e, komunidade sira ne’ebé afetadu husi inundasaun mós hetan apoiu ho asesu ba nutrisaun no bee ho kualidade, saneamentu, no servisu ijiene.
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For more information, please contact:

Embassy of China media contact person  
• Xi WANG, Economic and Commercial Office of the Embassy of China in Timor Leste, Mobile number - +670 78174297; Email Address - [email protected]  

UNICEF Media Contacts
• Tapuwa Mutseyekwa, UNICEF Advocacy and Communication Specialist, Mobile number - +670 77231103; Email Address – [email protected] 
• Antonio Gomes, UNICEF Communications Officer, Mobile number - +670 77232441; Email address - [email protected]