WaterAid has been working in Timor-Leste since 2004. Currently, working with local NGO partners, WaterAid helps approximately 3360 people in 28 villages in Liquica and Manufahi districts. WaterAid partners with local organisations to bring safe water and sanitation to the poorest and hardest to reach people. Of the nearly 800,000 people living in rural communities, 40% do not have access to a safe water supply, and 63% do not have access to sanitation facilities. In Timor-Leste’s rural communities, the absence of nearby clean water means women and girls can spend up to three hours per day walking long distances to collect water, precluding them from participating in school or other productive activities. The water sources that are close to communities are often contaminated by human waste, as well as pollutants associated with agricultural run-off and animal husbandry. Wateraid aims to help deliver safe water, sanitation and hygiene for villages in Timor-Leste’s including the construction of gravity-fed water systems, construction of toilets and hygiene education. WaterAid works with communities to achieve Community-Led Total Sanitation to stop the practice of open defecation, which spreads disease and pollutes water sources. WaterAid seeks to reduce the time women and girls’ spend collecting water (pre-intervention approx. 1–3 hours per day) and the time spent waiting at the water source. This can free up more time for economic and social activities. The focus has also been on training people; women in particular to become technical specialists. Our ongoing support is also helping the Government shape its national sanitation policy.

Project Results

WaterAid’s well-established program in Timor-Leste has improved the lives of nearly 20,000 people since 2004. In Timor-Leste in 2012/2013 we helped provide 2,495 people with safe water and improved sanitation. In the villages where we work: 1. Water Aid has helped community members in villages gain access to a supply of safe, sustainable water through the construction of gravity-fed water facilities. 2. We have helped community members in villages to gain access to low cost, low maintenance hygienic toilets through the community led total sanitation approach. 3. Other outcomes have been improving hygienic practices and environmental sanitation, focusing on hand-washing at key times, penning animals and reducing places for mosquitoes to breed.