UNICEF Timor-Leste

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. 

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

On 25 September 2025, last week, H.E. Dominic Jermey, the British Ambassador to Indonesia and Timor-Leste, visited the Baucau Municipality, where he observed the impact of Mother Support Groups, (MSG), in providing community led mobilisation and health outreach services. The visit provided Ambassador Jeremy with a clear overview of how the nutrition programmes usually operate through community outreach at the village level. During the visit, Ambassador Jeremy interacted with mothers, their children, young people, community members, local authorities, health staff from the Ministry of Health from both national and municipal levels, national NGOs, UNICEF staff, and members of the Mothers Support Group. The Government of the United Kingdom and UNICEF jointly support the Ministry of Health’s community- based nutrition programme in Baucau and Viqueque municipalities, aiming to improve the nutritional status of children and their families. Through this support, 1,382 MSG members in Baucau and Viqueque municipalities have been trained and deployed to support caregivers in reducing and responding to malnutrition among their children. ©UNICEF Timor-Leste/2025/DMonemnasi UK in Indonesia - British Embassy Jakarta

Weekends are for love, laughter, and connection. 💙 They’re the perfect time to slow down, reconnect, and make lasting memories with our children. ✨ What are your plans to show love, care, and support to your children this weekend? #Parenting #foreverychild

INDDICA, with support from UNICEF, hosted the National Bogotá Pledge Progress Consultation in Dili on 23 September 2025. The event brought together government ministries and civil society partners to review progress on Timor-Leste’s ten strategic pledges to end violence against children, covering justice reform, education, digital safety, and social welfare. Stakeholders shared updates and coordinated next steps to strengthen national efforts to protect every child. “This National Consultation is an important platform to assess progress in implementing the Bogotá Commitment in Timor-Leste. It serves to unite and complement the efforts of the government, civil society, and international partners to strengthen child protection in the country. I thank UNICEF and all partners for their continued support to INDDICA in this mission,” said President of INDDICA, Sra. Dinorah Granadeiro. UNICEF Representative, Patrizia DiGiovanni, added, “This consultation is a vital step to jointly reflect on progress so far. It is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements made so far but also identify areas for improvement, and strengthen our collective efforts to accelerate actions in areas we lag behind.” #UNICEF #ForEveryChild

On Friday, 19 September 2025, UNICEF Country Representative, Patrizia DiGiovanni held a courtesy call with Prosecutor General of the Republic of Timor-Leste, H.E Nelson de Carvalho at his office to discuss issues of mutual interest in child protection and strengthening access to child friendly justice systems for children in contact with the law. During the meeting, the UNICEF Representative urged the Office of the Prosecutor General to support the country’s implementation of the commitments made during the First Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children (EVAC) and monitor progress on the priority to make judicial proceeding and settings child sensitive and friendly. Ms. Patrizia DiGiovanni also highlighted the importance of introducing a diversion programme to offer children in conflict with law a second chance through rehabilitation and reintegration, as opposed to punitive measures. The Prosecutor General highlighted the importance of building a justice system that prioritises engagement of parents in the prevention of criminal activities among children and in the rehabilitation of children in contact with the law. ©UNICEF Timor-Leste/2025/JTalimeta #UNICEF

On 17 September 2025, UNICEF witnessed the signing of seed-funding agreements between NGO Ba Futuru, Ministry of Youth, Sport, Art and Culture (MoYSAC) and 13 youth groups that have been officially registered as youth-led Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) from Dili, Ermera, and Bobonaro municipalities. In his opening remarks, Mr. David Tomas de Deus, Director General of Youth at the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Art and Culture (MoYSAC), emphasized the government's commitment to partnering with the newly transformed CSOs to foster development at the local level. He expressed confidence that their work will bring meaningful change to communities across the country. Joanico Oliveira, Adolescent Development and Participation Officer (ADAP) from UNICEF, encouraged the youth-led CSOs to use the seed-funds to invest in innovative activities that strengthen their organizations and address community challenges. Ms. Judith de Sousa, Director of Ba Futuru NGO, urged the youth groups to continue advocating for human rights, child rights, inclusion, and sustainable agriculture, and to be the voice of the most vulnerable in their communities. Two youth associations—Discovery and Innovation Association (DIA) and LEOSIBE Association from Ermera and Bobonaro municipalities —have already secured small grant and support from the government. They expressed gratitude to MoYSAC, UNICEF, and Ba Futuru NGO for their ongoing mentorship and support, including training and technical support with CSO registration. During the ceremony, all 13 youth-led CSOs presented their plans to use the seed-funds to enhance their activities, promote innovation, and strengthen their newly established organizations. This project is supported by @dfat.gov.au’s #ANCP. Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade UNICEF Australia Soumen Ray

The Ministry of Health, with support from GAVI, UNICEF, and the World Health Organization (WHO), conducted a technical workshop on 15th September 2025 to review the costing of the National Immunization Strategy (NIS) 2026–2030. The workshop was officially opened by Dr. Elisabeth Leto Mau, Director General of Primary Health Care at the Ministry of Health. Dr. Shyam Pathak, Chief of Health at UNICEF and Dr. Nazmum Nahar, Technical Officer representing WHO, were in attendance. The event was also attended by national directors and staff from the Ministry of Health’s Primary Health Care Department, INFPM, INSPTL, UNICEF, WHO, Partisipa, NCIRS, NITAG, Head of CDC, Dept. HMIS, M&E and CQ of the Ministry of Health. The workshop also benefited from the expertise of Dr. Charu Garg, a finance expert from UNICEF Headquarters, and Ms. Jennifer Asman from UNICEF’s regional office. The Ministry of Health and its partners expressed their sincere gratitude and appreciation to GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, for over 14 years of generous support to Timor-Leste. This support has been instrumental in strengthening routine immunization, the COVID-19 vaccination program, cold chain infrastructure, the introduction of new vaccines, and broader health system strengthening at both national and municipal levels. The Ministry and its partners look forward to GAVI’s continued support to sustain and scale up the country’s immunization agenda and to help meet national, regional, and global targets during the 2026–2030 program cycle. UNICEF reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Government of Timor-Leste, through the Ministry of Health, to ensure that all children are immunized in accordance with the national immunization schedule. ©UNICEF Timor-Leste/2025/JTalimeta UNICEF UNICEF East Asia and Pacific Dr. Shyam Pathak WHO Timor-Leste Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance

Timor-Leste received an additional 5,760 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine through the GAVI initiative. UNICEF Timor-Leste continues to support the National Institute of Pharmacy and Medical Products (INFPM - previously SAMES), Ministry of Health, in the safe storage, transportation, and distribution of vaccines to health facilities across the country. Since the first shipment on 5 April 2021, UNICEF Timor-Leste has facilitated all deliveries of COVID-19 vaccines from COVAX/GAVI, including the most recent shipment on 7 September 2025. To date, all COVID-19 vaccine doses have been provided free of charge. UNICEF East Asia and Pacific UNICEF Supply Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance Dr. Shyam Pathak

Climate change will deepen existing inequities, especially for children, who will bear its impacts far longer than adults. Now is the time for action, and for prioritizing the needs of the most vulnerable through climate adaptation efforts. With support from KOICA, UNICEF is delivering integrated climate-smart social services and infrastructure across education, WASH, health, nutrition, child protection, and social policy. This work includes solarizing schools, healthcare facilities, and community centers to ensure clean and reliable energy; enhancing early warning systems to strengthen disaster preparedness; and developing the Children’s Climate Risk Index to guide evidence-based action. It also encompasses shock-responsive social protection to safeguard the most vulnerable, youth empowerment initiatives that give children and young people a voice in climate action, and institutional capacity building to ensure sustainability and long-term resilience. Every adaptation effort that protects a child is an investment in a safer, fairer future. #ForEveryChild #ClimateAction #ClimateSmartSocialServices #KOICA #UNICEF