CARE International’s history in Timor-Leste
CARE began working in Timor-Leste in 1994, initially as part of CARE Indonesia. Our early efforts focused on helping tackle the major humanitarian crisis in the country, especially helping people who were displaced and faced hunger.
This work included giving urgent support during the periods of widespread violence in 1999 and 2006.
After the country restored its independence in 2002, CARE established a dedicated country office. We expanded our work beyond emergency aid to help communities overcome poverty, especially in rural areas.
CARE and partners’ work in Timor-Leste today
CARE and our partners work with communities across Timor-Leste to increase opportunities to earn an income, improve access to essential services, like education and health, and help communities have lasting stability, even after crises. We particularly focus on women and girls in rural, disadvantaged areas. Our work focuses on:
Education
CARE in Timor-Leste is renowned for its education sector support, particularly in improving literacy, numeracy and quality of teaching. We have partnered closely with Timor-Leste’s Ministry of Education since 2002.
Since 2001, CARE has produced and distributed Lafaek magazines, which feature educational content for schoolchildren, teachers and parents. These magazines, which are distributed three times a year to government-registered pre and primary schools and surrounding communities, provide vital messages for families and communities around health, hygiene, nutrition, and agriculture.
Health
CARE helps to strengthen health systems in Timor-Leste, particularly helping them to prepare for emergencies. As the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic showed in the country – and the world, a robust health system is essential to control disease outbreaks and save lives.
Crisis response
We help communities to better prepare for emergencies. As women and girls often suffer disproportionately during crises, CARE and our partners focus particularly on increasing their resilience and reducing their vulnerability to natural disasters and climate change impacts.
Food and water
CARE and our partners help people facing food insecurity, including children with malnutrition. We worked with Timor-Leste’s Government to support the full implementation of the national school feeding program.
Gender equality
In Timor-Leste, women and girls often experience extremely heavy workloads, low education and literacy levels, very limited voice in decision-making at any level, and high levels of maternal mortality and violence. CARE and our partners help them increase opportunities to earn an income, improve general well-being, and ensure their voices are heard.
CARE works closely with community organizations, government institutions, and local partners to ensure programs fit communities’ priorities and strengthen local capacity.
Focus on women and girls
Women and girls are at the centre of CARE’s work in Timor-Leste.
CARE works with communities to expand opportunities for women’s leadership, improve access to services, and strengthen economic participation.
CARE and our partners support women and girls to:
- Strengthen livelihoods and economic opportunities
- Improve access to health services and education
- Participate in community leadership and decision-making
- Better withstand climate-related disaster and economic crises
By supporting women’s leadership and wellbeing, CARE helps strengthen families and communities across Timor-Leste.
For recent updates on CARE’s work in Timor-Leste, see here.
