Dili, June 30, 2022 —The World Bank and CARE International today launched a US$2.75 million project funded by a grant from the Japan Social Development Fund to strengthen the capacity of communities in Covalima and Viqueque to be better prepared and to respond effectively to COVID-19 and other health emergencies.
The project will help ensure effective implementation of national COVID-19 and general public health emergency preparedness and response at the grass roots level. This will aim at strengthening coordination between community-level institutions and formal Government programs and services in the health sector. This will help ensure consistency in communicating accurate messaging on COVID-19, including infection control, hygiene and sanitation and other prevention measures at the community level.
“The grassroots health system plays a crucial role as the front-line defense against epidemics and pandemics,” said Bernard Harborne, Country Representative for Timor-Leste. “The ongoing COVID-19 is exposing the weaknesses of such system and highlights the need for capacity upgrades.”
The project will also focus on strengthening the capacity of community organizations in a number of ways. For example, providing training for community leaders and health workers on preparedness, and response and supporting community-level organizations such as the Suco Disaster Management Committees to holistically manage emergencies (including health emergencies) and Water Management Groups to improve access to clean and safe water for infection prevention and to enable improved hygiene and sanitation practices.
Scientific and fact-based information about COVID-19 transmission modes, suspected signs and symptoms, and prevention measures will be provided to health workers and community members alike. Behavior Change Communication activities will be carried out by health and community leaders on hygiene and handwashing and the importance of timely access to preventive and promotive services, and care for communicable diseases.
Covalima and Viqueque were selected based on a combination of factors including exposure to COVID-19 and risk of future health emergencies, health needs, practicality of accessing hard-to-reach areas, and presence of existing programs by the implementing agency, CARE International. This project is expected to directly benefit around 33,000 people at least 50 percent of which are women.
The Japan Social Development Fund is a Partnership between the Government of Japan and the World Bank to provide grants in support of community-driven development and poverty reduction projects that empower the poorest and most vulnerable groups not reached by other programs and improve their lives through direct benefits.
The project will run for three years until June 2025 and will be implemented by CARE International.
