Dili, September 25, 2024 (Media Democracia) – The HAK Association in collaboration with WaterAid held a National Dialogue with the theme, “Integrated Investment Planning and Advocacy Efforts for Improving Rural Water, Sanitation and Health Systems”. This activity was held at the City 8 Manleuana Hall, on Wednesday.
HAK Executive Director, Feliciano de Araujo said that the main objective of this dialogue activity was to gather new ideas from SEMASA Municipal Directors, in addition to partnering with local governments regarding rural communities that still lack water and health.
“I think HAK is an Association that has been working for a long time to focus on human rights and water. HAK received support in collaboration to work with WaterAid for this program, currently the HAK association is not working alone, and HAK is also a member of the National Iron Platform Timor-Leste (PNBSTL) which focuses on water, sanitation and health.” The Executive Director informed reporters
He continued, HAK will collaborate with other organizations such as Fongtil, Permatil to gather ideas on what kind of discoveries HAK has made regarding clean water, and the government can support to allocate funds through the Secretary of Electricity, Water and Sanitation to provide sufficient funds to be discussed in the National Parliament and then realize a concrete action plan for water and sanitation.
In this occasion, Deputy Minister and Coordinating Minister for Social Affairs, Mariano Assanami Sabino said that this dialogue was very important because it was participated directly by local governments, international institutions, and national NGOs to discuss the use of clean water and sanitation.
“I think this issue is very important because it can make people more concerned about clean water and it is a big responsibility for people to be more concerned about the water in their homes, to be able to feel how to manage clean water properly,” He said.
He said that there must be hard work to be able to have a dam because the dam is very important to accommodate or store clean water, but currently there is a team that is planning clean water, this is very important so that development can run well so that it can reduce the percentage of people who still do not have access to clean water in the municipal area.
“I am participating in this dialogue because it is very important and as a member of the government I will wait for the results of all parties who are conducting this dialogue today, because this dialogue is attended by NGOs, international and national institutions, authorities and also the Ministry.” He added.
It was further explained that today’s dialogue activity was attended by the Deputy Prime Minister Coordinating Social Affairs, International Institutions and Non-Governmental Organizations such as Fongtil and HAK, members of the Government, Local Authorities from Bobonaro, Baucau and Dili.
Reported by : Domingas
Photo : Domingas