On Monday, August 5th, the Vice-Minister of Social Solidarity, Jacinto Rigoberto de Deus and the Minister for International Development from Australia, Melissa Parke, visited, the non-governmental organization of Psychosocial Recovery and Development in Timor-Leste, PRADET and the National Association of Rehabilitation (ASSERT), both located in Dili, in order to be acquainted with their conditions.
With this visit, the Ministry of Social Solidarity (MSS) and the Ministry for International Development from Australia strengthened the partnership in the area of gender based domestic violence.
“The Australian Government has provided financial support annually to these institutions, namelly PRADET, through the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), and through a few justice programs. From 2002 to the present date, AusAID has provided nearly $ 1.6 million US dollars in aid”, said Melissa Parke.
ASSERT received close to $40,000 U.S. dollars from the Minister for International Development, which are intended for the East Timor Community Assistance Scheme (ETCAS) program to manufacture wheelchairs for handicapped people.
The Vice Minister of Social Solidarity recalled that AusAID has provided assistance to Timor-Leste, ever since the First Constitutional Government, via the Ministry of Social Solidarity, in the development of national policies regarding disabled people.
“Currently there are nine sector working groups, who, in a competent way, develop the policy reflected in the Action Plan,” said Jacinto Rigoberto de Deus.
The Australian Minister expressed her satisfaction with this first visit to Timor-Leste, which allowed her to see the progress of the programs firsthand, in creating good relations with the Government of Timor-Leste and in guaranteeing the continuity of programs for the benefit of the Timorese population. “It is necessary to work effectively to support the people with disabilities”, said Melissa Parke.
The delegation included the Australian Ambassador in Timor-Leste, Miles Armitage, the head of AusAID, the Directors of the two institutions and their respective staff.