Timor Leste
One of Australia’s closest geographical neighbours, Timor Leste was established in 2002 after gaining independence.
While progress has been made in improving living standards poverty levels remain high and food security and gender-based violence remain ongoing issues. The country is also susceptible to natural disasters and changing weather patterns, which is further increasing hunger levels.
Timor Leste
One of Australia’s closest geographical neighbours, Timor Leste was established in 2002 after gaining independence.
While progress has been made in improving living standards poverty levels remain high and food security and gender-based violence remain ongoing issues. The country is also susceptible to natural disasters and changing weather patterns, which is further increasing hunger levels.
Timor Leste
Population: 1.3 million
Program snapshot: Sustainable Livelihoods and Disaster Risk Reduction (SLDRR) Program
The SLDRR program is implemented by five local partners in four municipalities in Timor Leste with the aim to strengthen community resilience to climate change and food security.
The program provides opportunities for local communities to access savings and loan activities, as well as support with establishing small businesses such as handicrafts and kiosks.
Along with your generous support, this program is supported by the Australian Government, through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).
Program snapshot: Protection Program in Timor Leste
The Protection Program in Timor-Leste aims to ensure the dignity, safety and access to services for those most vulnerable, particularly survivors of violence. These include running shelters for women fleeing violence, offering practical support to survivors such as savings and loans and small businesses training, and training in gender-based violence prevention.
Along with your generous support, this program is supported by the Australian Government, through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).
The impact of your support in Timor Leste:
Vulnerable community members have improved food security and are able to have three meals a day.
Women and people with disability are more resilient to disaster risks and climate change.
Vulnerable households can access savings and loans groups and other businesses to generate income.
Farmers can participate in Farmer Field Schools to expand their production of crops and increase income.
Martina's story
For Martina, a mother of eight, escaping domestic violence was the first step in her journey to a new life. Gender-based violence is a critical issue for women in Timor-Leste, and domestic violence is the most reported crime to the National Vulnerable Persons Unit.
Uma PAS, the shelter where Martina sought refuge, is a partner in Caritas Australia’s Protection Program, a holistic community-wide program that offers women like Martina economic empowerment and a life of safety in a supportive community.
When she joined the Caritas Australia supported Protection Program, she received vital training in microfinance, finance management and saving money.
Today, Martina is an inspiration to her community, her children are thriving, and she is even running her own small business.
After I left Uma PAS (the women's shelter), I felt confident for my future. Uma PAS really helped me [to learn] how to be strong; how to change my life to support myself, and to have some money to support my children. Education is the most important thing to change my children’s lives.
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