Dili, October 10, 2024 (Média Democracia) – The National Platform of Water Sanitation and Health of Timor-Leste (Plataforma Nasionál Bee, Saneamentu no Ijiene Timor-Leste PN-BESI-TL) held a press conference to ask the government to invest in the Clean Water, Sanitation and Health sectors through the State General Funds (Orsamentu Jerál do Estado, OJE 2025) with a minimum of 3% to realize the quato of the IX Government program of 3.3 investments in accessing clean water and basic sanitation not to increase or withdrawn. This press conference was held at Campery HAK, Farol, Dili, on Wednesday.
In a press conference held by the Coordinator also as MC of PN-BESI-TL, Januario A. de Jesus said that the National Platform of Water, Sanitation and Health of Timor-Leste as a network service organization in the sector of Clean Water, Sanitation and Health Education established by local Non-Governmental Organization which work in those sectors. The main reason of this establishment of this network is how to take a role in the advocacy service in the water, sanitation and health sector in Timor-Leste, as a process to ensure national NGO participation to be responsible for the political process and the water, sanitation and health development sector in Timor-Leste, so that it can bring inclusive development to people related to the water, sanitation and health sectors. Now, PN-BESI-TL is doing their work to make advocacy for OJE allocation every year for the BESI sector, political and legal framing related to water, sanitation, and health in Timor-Leste.
“Water as a basic right of the people to guarantee daily life with worthy, which is stated in the Constitutional of RDTL Article 6 which talks about the objectives of the state, especially in paragraph (e) to build a society that has social justice to make people live better for the body and their spirit. The government has the target of PEDN 2011-2030 so that people in the Timor-Leste region almost access Clean Water and Sanitation which adequate, sustainable and inclusive. In addition, Legal Decree Number 4/2004 concerning Water Supply for Public Consumption, Legal Decree Number 31/2020 concerning Quality Control for Consuming, National Politics Sanitation Basic, National Politics of Water Supply 2020 and Water Resources Political Management.” MC OD PN-BESI-TL says
He continued, Politics and Government Program IX which places the Water and Sanitation sector as a vital sector for the 5-year program which has a quota in the Government Program of 3.3 that Clean Water and Basic Sanitation Investment should not be installed. If we do not have this infrastructure, it will have an impact on public health or can cause infectious diseases, death and poor development for children.
“The current situation of water, sanitation, and health (BESI) in Timor-Leste is based on data from the 2022 census results that accommodate 39.5% houses access to public channels. 10.2% houses which access of the installation channels and houses that still use or access in rivers, springs, lakes, clips and irrigation for their daily needs are 8.7%, and use rainwater 0,2%” Informed by MC PN-BESI-TL to reporters
He also added that based on data and findings of members and partners had auditory results conducted by PN-Besi-TL in 2023 showed that post-administrative Tilomar has 4 villages and 23 sub-villages with a total of 2205 houses and 9650 population. Maudemu Village has 7 sub-villages, 670 houses and 2980 populations, there are 9 systems but everything has been damaged meaning that it cannot be used. Casabauc Village has 3 sub-villages with 492 houses and 2147 populations, has 8 water systems and everything is in good condition. Lalawa Village has 6 sub-villages with 423 houses and 1756 populations have 5 water systems all in good condition. Beiseuc Village has 7 sub-villages with 620 houses and 2767 populations, has 1 damaged water system. The auditory results also show that post-administrative Tilomar (Covalima) does not have an Administrative Post Office that is to minitor the water system in their post-administration. Management Facilitates Groups almost not running on their system, water quality is still a concern for the community, water resources are still lacking during the summer, including they do not have accessibility (inclusion).
“The results of monitorization of the HAK Association of 2023 for 56 villages, consisting of 338 sub-villages with a total of 308,213 populations of 66,363 houses consisting of 156,250 men and 151,963 women. From these results show that 46,210 with 70% of houses accessing canalization, 9,849 with 15% of access houses from springs and 10,304 with 15% of houses accessing channel water.” He added
He added that Social Auditory Data from the organization of the Timor-Leste Teenage Women in 2023, Baucau for public works and post facilitation, especially in water, sanitation and health (BESI) have 27 health posts including 1 referral hospital show that, health facilities have Basic categories, water with 25%, sanitation with 7.14%, health with 0.00%, waste with 0.00% and environmental cleaning with 0.00%. Categories of limitations, water with 53.6%, sanitation with 82.14%, health with 78.60%, waste with 53.60%, environmental cleaning with 14.30%. Categories and services, water with 21.40%, sanitation with 10.71, health with 21.40%, waste with 46.40%and public cleaning with 85.70%.
Press Conference
Photo : Domingas