Expected Outcomes:
MDG is a joint programme between UN agencies (UNICEF, WFP, FAO and WHO ) with the Government of Timor-Leste and is in line with the government's strategies, plans and goals. Specifically, the Ministry of Healt and Ministry of Agriculture and fisheries are full partners in this joint programme and have contributed funds and resources towards its implementation.
The joint programme has a strong focus on the long term and sustainable development of health systems and the uptake of improved basic health services, complemented by activities directed at improving access to and utilisation of nutritious foods leading to increased food security.
1. Increased production, availability and consumption of micro-nutrient - rich foods among women and children in 4 districts (Aileu, Baucau, Manatuto and Oecusse)
2. Increased nutrition education in schools and communities through introduction of school gardens and consumption of nutritious food.
3. Food security and nutrition surveillance systems established and functioning at all subdistricts of the 4 districts.
4. Improved capacity of District food security committees to plan, support mitigation and response initiatives
Results Comments
Increased production, availability and consumption of micro-nutrient - rich foods
During Q1, production levels for Timor-Vita had reached 69% of the optimum production. Food production declined in Q2 following a major cleaning and maintenance operation at the factory during the months of May and June. The factory re-opened in July and production levels are steadily increasing to reach the optimum output again.
Increased nutrition education in schools and communities through introduction of school gardens and consumption of nutritious food
450 participants were trained, targeting students, teachers, PTA-board members and cooks in the four districts (Aileu, Manatuto, Oecusse and Baucau). Out of 100 targeted schools, 44 schools have been covered by end of the first phase. The next phase will commence in August 2012; targeting 54 additional schools in the 4 districts. 2 Schools missed out in the first phase.
Food Security and Nutrition Surveillance System Established and functioning at all sub-districts of the 4 districts.
Food security and nutrition surveillance system has been implemented and fully functional in all sub-districts of Baucau, Manatuto, Aileu, and Oecusse districts. The food security information is collected from extension workers at the SUCO level and submitted to the sub-district coordinator who further submits it to District Food Security Officer (DFSO) for data input, verification and clearance. Data analysis is done by the Food Security Unit (FSU) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (the unit responsible for the production of the monthly food security summary for the districts). To date, the Food Security and Nutrition Surveillance System covers all the 13 districts in the country.
Improved capacity of District food security committees to plan, support mitigation and response initiatives.
Food security has provided training in the four districts to the extension workers, district food security focal points, and local authorities. The trainings covered topics including: SUCO level monitoring database system; the importance of the food security report to the stakeholders and how district food security committee can plan their intervention initiatives. The number of participants who attended the trainings in the four districts is as follows: Baucau (45); Oecusse (40); Aileu (32); Manatuto (41).
