Narrative
Full Description
Project narrative
In October 2021, China International Development Cooperation Agency and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) signed a cooperation agreement to provide emergency nutritional food for malnourished pregnant and lactating women in Timor-Leste affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and floods. On October 28, 2021, a launching ceremony was held for this project. Financing for this project came from the South-South Cooperation Fund. The donation enabled the WFP to provide specialised, nutritious foods to more than 12,000 pregnant and breastfeeding mothers who are at risk of malnutrition in 13 municipalities in Timor-Leste. As a continuation of the sponsorship, on May 11, 2022, China donated food to the country's malnourished pregnant and lactating women via the World Food Program (see: 东卫生部长感谢中国援助营养食物). On June 18, 2022, the President of Timor-Leste's local food company "Denara," criticized some farmers for using the basic food basket project to inflate local food prices, resulting in companies resorting to cheaper imported food, which undermines the project's goal of supporting local agriculture (see: 东基本食品篮项目受质疑). On June 24, 2022, Chinese Ambassador Xiao Jianguo, along with Timor-Leste President Horta and the World Food Program representative, visited China-aided school kitchens in Timor-Leste and provided emergency nutritional assistance to malnourished pregnant and lactating women, affirming China's commitment to addressing malnutrition among women and children in Timor-Leste (see: 东基本食品篮项目受质疑).