East Timor
Country Facts
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Capital- Dili
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Religion- Roman Catholic (97%), Protestant (1%), Muslim (1%), Hindu (0.5%), Buddhist (0.1%)
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Language- Portuguese
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Population- 1.1 million
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Life Expectancy- 59.7 years
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Rural Population- 74%
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Youth Unemployment- 23%
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Adult Literacy- 50.1%
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1999 was the year the majority of the one million East Timorese voted for independence from Indonesia. The struggle to nationhood saw 1,400 people killed and 800,000 become refugees. When Independence was granted on 20 May 2002, there was much hope for the new nation.
The majority of the population of 1.1 million is poor, with 40% living below the poverty line.
Many are subsistence farmers and unemployment is estimated at over 50%. Those in paid
employment struggle with recent sharp increases in living costs - rice costs have increased
from 30 cents to $1 per kilo and cooking oil has doubled in price. These increases are
significant when compared to the average salary for paid employment of $120 per month. There are high levels of malnutrition in children and maternal and child mortality are the highest in the region. Literacy is 58%. These factors and an unstable political situation produce many disgruntled elements in Timor Leste society.
East Timor is heavily dependent on foreign aid though there are hopes that prospective revenues from offshore oil and gas fields will reverse its fortunes and reduce the country’s poverty.
Security remains fragile and the capital Dili is plagued by violent street gangs. Deadly riots broke out in April 2006 after the government sacked hundreds of soldiers. Ethnic and political violence flared again in August 2007 after inconclusive parliamentary elections led to a coalition government.
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can provides start-up chickens for a group of five families. After two years the offspring are given to new groups.
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can provide a week’s supply of medicines for a mobile health clinic
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