Govt & UN Launch first Acute Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) in Timor-Leste

14 February 2023, Dili, Timor-Leste

Your Excellency Prime Minister, Mr Taur Matan Ruak,

Sua Excelência Primeiro-Ministro, Senhor Taur Matan Ruak,

Your Excellency President of the National Parliament, Dr Aniceto Guterres Lopes,

Sua Excelência Presidente do Parlamento Nacional, Dr. Aniceto Guterres Lopes,

Your Excellencies Ministers of KONSSANTL,

Excelências Ministros Membru de KONSSANTL

Your Excellencies Members of the Parliament,

Excelências Senhores Deputados

Dear representatives from the diplomatic corps and development partners, particularly from WFP, FAO and the IPC secretariat,

Dear representatives from each Municipality,

Representatives of INGOs, NGOs, media, and civil society,

Very good morning to all of you!

Thank you, Your Excellency Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, for your insightful remarks.

I would like to extend my gratitude to everyone for being part of the Launch event of the first Acute Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) in Timor-Leste.

My warmest congratulations to all partners who contributed to this analysis. It was a collaborative effort involving the United Nations agencies, including World Food Programme (WFP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), together with the Asia Foundation in support of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF), the General Department of Statistics (GDS), and other government stakeholders.

The United Nations System always believes in comprehensive and inclusive approaches. This success demonstrates the power and potential of collaboration and joint programming and underscores the impact that can be achieved when organisations work together with a shared purpose. And today’s launch and all the policy and analytical work behind this is an excellent example.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing conflict in the Russia-Ukraine region have devastatingly impacted global economies, leading to high inflation rates and severe consequences for the most vulnerable populations.

The latest State of Food Insecurity in the World (SOFI) 2022 report sheds light on the alarming and ongoing problem of food insecurity, particularly for nations that are vulnerable to the compounded impacts of global market fluctuations and the adverse impacts of climate change.

Validating the results of the Food Insecurity Report, this IPC paints a concerning picture of the state of food security in Timor-Leste and highlights the pressing need for immediate actions.

Ladies and gentlemen

A substantial portion of the population, consisting of 300,000 individuals or 22% of the total population, is currently facing critical and severe food insecurity given that this is the lean season. It is imperative to extend assistance to those households in need promptly.

Also, the analysis projects that an additional 262,000 people will require food assistance in the non-lean season, even though food security is comparatively better during this time due to the availability of the harvest.

The food insecurity and hunger highlighted by this analysis are likely to exacerbate malnutrition and poverty further, perpetuating a vicious cycle. This worsening of malnutrition and poverty is expected to impede the growth and progress of the nation, with estimates suggesting that the nation is losing more than 40 million USD due to malnutrition alone.

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

To break this cycle of food insecurity and malnutrition and ensure a brighter future for all, we must come together across organisations and sectors to develop a comprehensive plan to reach those most in need and address the root causes of food insecurity.

It is also imperative that the Government takes decisive action to address this situation. The individuals and households classified as being in acute food insecurity must be identified through a rigorous targeting process and provided with targeted support to facilitate their transition from this state of food insecurity.

Let me reiterate and reassure you that the United Nations System in Timor-Leste is ready to support the Government and other stakeholders in addressing this pressing issue.

Excllencies, friends, colleagues, ladies and gentlemen,

I thank you all for your participation. I am confident that by continuing to work together and implementing the recommendations of the IPC analysis, we can make a real difference in the lives of those in need and build a brighter and better future for everyone in Timor-Leste.