Government and World Food Programme sign agreement to strengthen social protection and combat child malnutrition
The Ministry of Social Solidarity and Inclusion (MSSI) and the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) signed a memorandum of understanding on August 22nd, 2025, in Dili, a memorandum of understanding to support the Conditional Mother's Grant for Maternal and Child Nutrition program (Bolsa da Mãe Kondisional ba Saúde Nutrisaun Inan no Oan - BdMK-SANUTRIO), an initiative aimed at preventing stunted growth in children under three years of age from vulnerable families. 
This pilot program will be implemented by MSSI in close collaboration with WFP and will also be supported by other government institutions and partners, namely the Ministry of Health, the National Statistics Institute of Timor-Leste, and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The program will run from 2026 to 2028 in the municipalities of Covalima, Ermera, and Oecusse, covering the most vulnerable populations during the first critical 1,000 days, from pregnancy until the child's third year of life.
At the signing ceremony, held at the MSSI headquarters, the Minister of Social Solidarity and Inclusion, Verónica das Dores, highlighted the importance of this measure, emphasizing that "implementing the Bolsa da Mãe Kondisional-SANUTRIO is a vital step in ensuring that children and mothers from vulnerable families receive the care and nutrition they need, including support for transportation costs through conditional cash transfers. By investing in their health today, we are creating healthier and stronger people for the future of our nation." 
The BdMK-SANUTRIO program was designed to strengthen social protection and improve nutrition for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and children aged 6 to 35 months through a multisectoral approach that combines health and social assistance platforms. The initiative provides specialized nutritious foods and essential services, helping to promote healthier pregnancies, combat low birth weight, and prevent stunted growth in children.
WFP Representative in Timor-Leste, Jacqueline de Groot, expressed the agency's commitment to this partnership: “We are honored to be recognized as a leading agency in nutrition and food security. Being chosen by the Government to co-implement this program not only contributes to the fight against malnutrition but also strengthens social protection systems in the country.”
The planned activities will focus on improving maternal and child nutrition, supporting healthy pregnancies, preventing low birth weight and anemia, and promoting greater awareness of appropriate health practices. This initiative is an important step in the Government's efforts to promote the well-being of families and ensure a healthier future for the entire population.
