Government of Timor-Leste

The Ministry of Public Works, through the Secretariat of State for Water, Sanitation and Urbanisation, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education, and with the UNICEF support, organized, on July 30^th, at Hotel The Ramelau, a workshop around the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in the Community Program or BESIK.

The workshop’s aim was to discuss, in detail, the Terms of Reference establishing coordination at national and district levels.

The Vice Minister for Ethics and Service Delivery, Natália de Araújo, referred that the “Government already has a national policy for basic sanitation, which is a reference to the development of the strategy for the plan and the activities’ implementation, aiming to achieve the Millennium Development Goals and the Strategic Development Plan”.

Natália the Araújo has also requested the Commission for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for the 12 districts to cooperate with the line coordination in an effective and efficient manner, in order to improve the life of the population.

“Coordination and cooperation are the key to changing behaviors related to water, sanitation and hygiene. Small changes in daily life may transform the community and the institutions, leading to a healthier life, reducing diseases and, above all, minimizing mortality numbers”, assured the Vice Minister for Ethics and Service Delivery.

The Secretary for Water, Sanitation and Urban Development, Elias Pereira Moniz, reinforced previous statements on the subject, adding that “the issues of water, sanitation and hygiene are included in the Infrastructure Strategic Development Plan for a two year period, especially regarding social development, infrastructures and economy. To reach the target it is necessary to set up a good coordination. The implementation of BESIK is not only limited to words, it has to put into practice”.