The World Bank began working in East Timor in 1999, and has continued to provide support since 2002, when the former Indonesian province became the independent nation, Timor-Leste. Partnering with the government, civil-society groups, and local communitie, the World Bank is working to support the development of Timor-Leste. The following examples highlight some of the areas of assistance.
Rebuilding After Independence
The World Bank's comprehensive program in Timor-Leste, which began immediately after the August 1999 vote for independence, has had many positive impacts on the country. Since 1999, World Bank support has helped: Rebuild and rehabilitate 2,780 classrooms and provide textbooks and teaching materials to schools throughout the country. Classroom enrollment has jumped from 190,000 in 1999 to 240,000. Put into place a sustainable public healthcare system, which has helped 85 percent of children under the age of five to receive vaccinations. Hospitals and clinics have been rebuilt to cover 90 percent of the population living within a two hour walk. Restore the agricultural infrastructure and the flow of agricultural goods, which has helped more than 20,600 rural families. Demobilize more than 1,300 former soldiers and help them transition into civilian livelihoods following independence.
Back to top
Boosting Self-Reliance
The violence of 1999 destroyed much of East Timor's farm animals, tools, farms, and processing machinery. Food and seed stocks were looted. Economic production dropped by 49 percent in 1999.
The Trust Fund for East Timor, which was organized by the World Bank's First Agriculture Rehabilitation Project, helped communities regain farm animals and farm tools, repair small irrigation schemes and roads, and receive training on agricultural techniques. Building on the successful community-based activities of the first project, the Second Agriculture Rehabilitation Project, approved in June 2001, continues to focus on improving food security for farm families and increasing agricultural production in targeted areas. There is also an added emphasis on providing relevant and timely information to farm households.
So far, the project has helped vaccinate more than 100,000 cattle and buffalo and nearly 250,000 pigs. In addition, 71,065 chickens have been distributed to more than 14,000 families. More than 3,000 Bali cattle and buffalo have been distributed to farmers who lost their livestock during the violence in 1999. Farm tools have been delivered to more than 20,000 families. The project has also distributed 1,000 radios to villagers.
The First Agriculture Rehabilitation Project has helped establish three agricultural service centers to boost rice and coffee production and marketing. The project has provided community grants for the rehabilitation of nearly 8,000 hectares of small irrigation plans and more than 100 kilometers of rural roads.
Helping to Rebuild
The Community Empowerment and Local Governance Project has provided grants for about 1,000 small infrastructure projects throughout Timor-Leste, bringing small but tangible changes in every village of the country. Participants in the project have dug 104 wells, laid 131 kilometers of pipe for water, built 40 bridges, and constructed more than 200 kilometers of road. In addition, the project has distributed 2,500 radios to communities and helped equip and train 35 reporters in the basics of radio broadcasting. The project has provided temporary employment for 22,000 men and 12,600 women. In the hamlets of Florema and Su Bagu Lau, for example, construction of a small bridge has dramatically changed the lives of 90 families. A river separates the villages from a nearby market, school, and hospital. During the rainy season, which lasts from October to June, the river swells, making it impossible to cross.
The families decided it was time to find a solution to this ongoing problem. Miguel Magno, a member of the village council, called a meeting to discuss the idea of building a bridge. A proposal for the construction of a bridge was developed and sent to the district council for assessment. The program received prompt approval, and the construction of the bridge was made possible by the project with a grant of US$2,000.
Back to top
Results on the Ground, May 2004-2006
Trust Fund for East Timor:
The multi-donor TFET has been active in the country since 2000 in reconstruction and development programs. Among the achievements since May 2004: Second and Third Agriculture Rehabilitation Project (ARP II/III): 3,908 hectares of irrigation schemes rehabilitated under ARP II and HS vaccination program for cattle & buffalo is on-going implementation in all Districts (55% accomplished up to this month) under ARP III.
Petroleum Technical Assistance Project: this contributed to the drafting of legislation for petroleum production, taxation, and revenue management, and to increased Government revenues by improving audits of Timor Sea taxpayers.
Small Enterprises Project: 45 markets completed to date, and 43 handed over to the community, and delivered entrepreneurial and financial training to a total of 11,491 people.Â
The Third Transition Support Program:
Among the highlights of the milestones achieved under TSP III are:
Governance: The establishment of the Office of Provedor and nomination of the first Provedor
Publication of the Draft Petroleum Fund and launching of consultations
Promulgation of Law on Police discipline
Service Delivery for Poverty Reduction: World Bank grant of US$500,00 for registration of veterans of civil resistance disbursed
Management training and funds for Pilot Schools project distributedÂ
Job Creation: Completion of final report on Agriculture Water Policy
Insurance Law approved by Parliament
Implementation of community–based Roads program and recording of job creation statistics completed
Â
Back to top
More information:
 Â Â Projects and Programs in Timor-Leste
 How the World Bank Measures Results.
 |
 
RSS