UNICEF Timor-Leste’s Post

Today, UNICEF Timor-Leste and KOICA in close collaboration with the Government of Timor-Leste held a groundbreaking ceremony in Hera, marking the start of ‘Integrated Climate-Smart Infrastructure in Health Facilities, Schools and Community Centres in Timor-Leste.” under the KOICA funded “Climate Action for the Last Mile: Strengthening Climate Resilience for the Most Vulnerable Children” programme. This initiative will bring solar energy system and upgrade of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities to schools, health posts, and community centres to ensure essential services continue even during floods, droughts, and other climate shocks. The Hera site marks the first step in transforming this vision into action, paving the way for expansion to Atauro this year, and to Lautém and Viqueque in the coming years. The ceremony was jointly launched by S.E. Germano Santa Brites Dias, Secretary of State for Toponymy and Urban Organization Affairs; Ms. Youn Hwa Kang, Country Director of KOICA Timor-Leste; Mr. Arantes Isaac Sarmento, Chief of Cabinet of the Vice Prime Minister, Minister Coordinator for Social Affairs and Minister of Rural Development and Community Housing; and Ms. Patrizia DiGiovanni, Country Representative of UNICEF in Timor-Leste, with the presence of Mr. António Marques da Silva, Hera Suco Chief, and participated by the from Hera Community members, staff from the Ministry of Public Works, Health, Education, PAM Dili office, along with community members, ministry representatives, teachers, and students. This initiative is part of KOICA-funded programme, “Climate Action for the Last Mile: Reaching the Most Vulnerable Children in Timor-Leste” which implemented by UNICEF. The programme aims to provide Climate-Smart Social Services and Infrastructure (C3SI) across sic key sectors, include Education, Health, Water Sanitation and Hygiene, Nutrition, Child Protection and social Protection. A heartfelt thank you to the Government of Korea through KOICA for supporting this important initiative for the children and people of Timor-Leste. UNICEF #KOICA #TimorLeste #UNICEF East Asia andPacific #ClimateAction #Resilience #ForEveryChild #Sustainability #WASH #SolarEnergy #HeraGroundbreaking ©UNICEF Timor-Leste/2025/DMonemnasi Patrizia Di Giovanni Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) UNICEF East Asia and Pacific