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UNICEF: A Timor-Leste Fit for Children

Source: United Nations Children's Fund | Timor-Leste

The last time the world read about Timor-Leste, it was in 1999. The world then watched the birth of a new nation literally from amidst the ashes, conflict and destruction. In this fast-paced world, only events out of the ordinary such as disasters, wars, and political conflicts get attention and coverage. Very little attention is paid to the lives of ordinary people and their daily suffering and struggles if there is no ‘obvious’ emergency, conflict, calamity or death.

Timor-Leste today faces a silent emergency. The statistical evidence is compelling. Timor-Leste has the highest number of babies and mothers dying in the entire East Asia Pacific region; nearly half of the children under five are suffering from moderate or severe malnutrition; only less than a third of its population drinks safe water; primary school enrolment touches only 75% ; and nearly 3 out of 4 persons do not have knowledge of HIV/AIDS prevention.

The world’s newest nation is also a very young one with nearly 50% of its population below the age of 18. There is an urgent need to reach out to all these children and ensure they have a quality life and future, built on the country’s natural resources and the emerging opportunities for the new generation.

Children living in poverty in any country are deprived of their basic rights. But it is not just income poverty alone that affects children. It is their access to health services, education, food, and protection which is something that they should, under ordinary circumstances, be able to access without much fuss.

In Timor-Leste, the mountainous terrain, the remoteness of many communities and inadequate resources impose severe limitations on the provisions of basic social services. For instance, accessible health service is defined as a two hour walk to a health post in Timor-Leste. This makes it a challenge for those residing even within a two-hour distance, especially when one is sick and desperately needing care. The level of knowledge and practice of giving care and protection to children also poses a challenge to communities, which have, for years, been living under the shadow of threat, conflict and death.

After the initial euphoria of gaining independence, the country is now grappling with issues like health, literacy and opportunities for a decent livelihood. So, today, even after the weapons have been laid to rest and the conflict is long past, childhood faces a serious challenge in Timor-Leste.

Thankfully, things are turning around in Timor-Leste.

You can download a copy of the latest UNICEF Timor-Leste Report here>>

 

For information on UNICEF's programmes, visit www.unicef.org/infobycountry/Timorleste_24342.html