Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement Global Coordinator Gerda Verburg arrives in Timor-Leste to discuss progress and advocate for improved nutrition

DILI, TIMOR-LESTE. 28 November 2022 – On a special invitation from H.E. Taur Matan Ruak, Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste (RDTL), Ms Gerda Verburg, Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement Global Coordinator and UN Assistant Secretary-General arrived in Timor-Leste today. She was welcomed and received at the airport by representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, UN Resident Coordinator Office (RCO) representatives from World Food Programme (WFP), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and World Health Organization (WHO), and National SUN focal points (FIlipe Da Costa & Dirce Maria Soares).

Ms. Verburg, accompanied by a three-member delegation that includes Mr. Srikanth Eadara, Regional Representative of SUN Movement Secretariat (SMS) Asia and Mr Alexandre Brecher, Communications and Advocacy Advisor of the SUN Movement, will be visiting Timor-Leste between 28 November and 02 December 2022. The Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement is a global initiative with 65 member countries and partners which seeks to inspire and drive action to realize the vision of a world free from malnutrition in all its forms, by 2030, for all, especially women and children.

Timor- Leste joined the SUN Movement in September 2020. During her visit, Ms. Verburg will meet with the President, Prime Minister, Vice Prime Minister, Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Agriculture and Health, , United Nations Agencies, Heads of Missions of Bilateral Cooperation Agencies, Development Partners, Civil Society Organizations, Private Sector, youth representatives and academia. She will also launch a breastfeeding room at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, visit a school to observe the School Meal Programme (SMP), the national hospital’s Breastfeeding café and Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) support, and a health center to witness the nutrition program for women and children. A national Secretariat of the SUN Movement has been set up at the Office of the Prime Minister, which leads national coordination of government and all partners to address malnutrition in Timor-Leste.

The SUN Secretariat is supported by the UN Agencies (WFP, UNICEF, and FAO), the European Union (EU), the Government of Australia, the Government of Japan, and numerous other donors, development partners and academia. Led by countries and governments, supported by organisations and individuals – the SUN Movement drives collective action to ensure every individual, especially women and children, can realise their right to food and nutrition, reach their full potential and shape sustainable and prosperous societies.

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