In Timor-Leste, climate change is causing more severe dry seasons and floods, making it harder for families to feed their children. Thanks to China Aid, UNICEF is providing measuring tapes and weighing scales to identify malnourished children, supporting cooking classes for mothers, and training health workers and mother support groups. Adriana, 4, has Down Syndrome. During the last two dry seasons, she also suffered from malnutrition. "My baby was weak and just slept all the time. I didn't know what was wrong with her. I almost lost hope," Adriana's mother Marquita says. "I was so happy when the health worker identified the problem and gave us treatment. Since then, Adriana has gained weight and is more active. Now, she can sit up on her own."
About us
𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗙’𝘀 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗼𝗿-𝗟𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲 Since the restoration of independence in 2002, UNICEF has been working to promote and protect the rights and wellbeing of all children. We work with the Government of Timor-Leste, businesses and civil society organisations to ensure the rights of all girls and boys to survival, development, protection and participation. UNICEF works with Government to bring basic services and opportunities to all children in Timor-Leste, including in education, health, nutrition, child protection, water, sanitation and hygiene, social protection and inclusion. Nearly half of Timor-Leste’s population is under the age of 18 years and about 70 percent of its population lives in rural areas, with 60 per cent engaged in subsistence agriculture. Nearly 42 percent of the population lives below the poverty line. Timor-Leste’s large youth population presents an enormous opportunity and a significant challenge for the promotion and protection of children’s rights. The country is among the least developed countries in the world. 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 Partnerships are the heart of everything UNICEF does. The power of partnerships allows us to expand our reach, working with a wide range of like-minded partners to deliver our mandate for children, in line with our country programme. UNICEF works in partnership with the Government of Timor-Leste, development partners, civil society and children to ensure the survival, development, protection and participation of children, with a focus on inequities and disadvantaged children and their families. UNICEF programmes are aligned with the Government of Timor-Leste’s National Strategic Plan 2011-2030.
- Website
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https://www.unicef.org/timorleste/
External link for UNICEF Timor-Leste
- Industry
- Non-profit Organizations
- Company size
- 51-200 employees
- Headquarters
- Dili
- Type
- Nonprofit
- Founded
- 2002
Locations
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Primary
Get directions
Caicoli Street
Dili, TL
Employees at UNICEF Timor-Leste
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Yume Yorita
WASH (water and sanitation) Specialist, with additional experience in environment and pollution.
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Manuela Pereira
Business Administration Fellow| Financial Planner| Youth Activist| Gender Focal Point| Green Team| Trusted by over 50+ youth.
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Herculano Amaral
Former Lecturer at UNIVERSIDADE NACIONAL TIMOR-LOROSA'E (UNTL)
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Noel Afranio Soares
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Updates
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In Timor-Leste, UNICEF is supporting children and schools to recover from and build resilience to climate-induced disasters. Casnafar Basic Education Branch School, in Dili, is located near a river and subject to regular floods. In 2021, the school lost all their furniture and supplies. Thanks to China Aid, UNICEF has restocked the school with desks, chairs, textbooks and materials. "During the flood, I felt really sad. I couldn't go to school for 2 months, says Nonia, 14. "Now, I feel happy to have furniture and books. I'm proud to continue studying."
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Today is Global Handwashing Day! Handwashing with soap is one of the simplest, most effective ways to prevent illness and keep children healthy. Clean hands save lives — and every child deserves a safe, clean and healthy environment. #unicef #foreverychild
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When girls are empowered to lead, entire communities thrive. 💪📚 UNICEF, in partnership with the Government, is working in communities across Timor-Leste, to ensure every girl has the chance to grow, lead, and shine. 🌟 #DayOfTheGirl #GirlsLead #UNICEF #GirlGoals
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𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐢𝐫𝐥 We celebrate the power, potential, and promise of every girl — championing their rights, amplifying their voices, and investing in their futures. 💙 When girls are empowered, they build a better future for themselves and for the world. 🎥 Watch this video celebrating the many potentials of girls in Timor-Leste. Our Right, Our Voices, Our Goals. #GirlGoals #DayoftheGirl #IDG2025 Patrizia Di Giovanni
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On World Mental Health Day 2025 today, Ms. Patrizia DiGiovanni, UNICEF Country Representative for Timor-Leste reminds young people that taking care of our mental well-being is as important as taking care of our physical health. She also announces the start of the Youth-led Mental Health Audio Challenge—an initiative that UNICEF is implementing in partnership with Spotify, using digital platforms to raise awareness and reduce stigma around mental health in Timor-Leste. Watch the video until the end. #OnMyMind #WMHD2025 Patrizia Di Giovanni
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Today is World Mental Health Day 2025 Children and young people worldwide face growing mental health challenges, and emergencies make it even harder to cope. UNICEF and partners urge governments to put mental health at the heart of all responses, so every child can heal and thrive. #OnMyMind #WMHD2025
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The Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Social Solidarity (MSSI) with support from UNICEF are conducting a 5-day training for 30 justice professionals and social actors across the country on the Law on Protection of Children and Youth in Danger. Thirty more participants will join next week. Adopted in 2023, this landmark law protects children and youth from violence. The training was officially opened by H.E, Dr. Sérgio de Jesus Fernandes da Costa Hornai, Minister of Justice, with the presence of H.E Verónica das Dores, Minister of Social Solidarity and Inclusion; H.E Dr. Afonso Carmona, President of Court of Appeal; Dr. Jacinto Babo, Deputy of Prosecutor General; Dr. Cancio Xavier, Public Defender General and Patrizia DiGiovanni, UNICEF Country Representative to Timor-Leste. This training is being rolled out across the country, with this phase focusing on justice professionals. The objective is to strengthen the Multi-Agency Approach and Coordination in Implementing the law, especially on court procedures and referrals between justice and social sectors. This is part of UNICEF’s efforts to strengthen the child protection system in the country by ensuring all relevant service providers are fully trained on how to implement the Law on Protection of Children and Youth in Danger. ©UNICEF Timor-Leste/2025/JTalimeta Patrizia Di Giovanni Suman Khadka, PhD
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Let’s start the week with a powerful reminder from Article 2 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child: Discrimination has no place in a child’s life. Every child deserves to be valued, protected, and empowered—regardless of race, gender, ability, language, religion, or background. This week and always, let’s commit to creating a world where inclusion, respect, and equality are everyday realities for every child.
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On 30 September 2025, the Ministry of Health, with support from GAVI, the vaccine alliance, World Health Organization and UNICEF, conducted a national validation workshop on the National Immunisation Strategy (NIS) 2026-2030 and its Costed Plan. The workshop took place in Dili Municipality, with the objective of critically reviewing the costed draft NIS and providing necessary feedback and recommendation for adjustment. The workshop was officially opened by H.E. José dos Reis Magno, Vice-Minister for Institutional Strengthening in Health, Ministry of Health. Dr. Arvind Mathur, WHO Representative; Ms. Teija Vallandingham, UNICEF Deputy Representative, Programme,; representative from national and international NGOs, staff from the Ministry of Health, WHO and UNICEF, were in attendance. The National Immunisation Strategy 2026–2030 is a landmark effort to strengthen immunisation programme management in the country. It lays out a clear vision for universal access to safe, effective, and sustainable immunisation for a healthier Timor-Leste. ©UNICEF Timor-Leste/2025/DMonemnasi Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance WHO Timor-Leste Teija Vallandingham
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