BATUGADE (TOP) – Vice Minister of Health Bonifacio Maucoli dos Reis, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Tom Daley, and USAID Mission Director Zema Semunegus opened a U.S.-funded borehole at the Batugade quarantine center as part of U.S. efforts to support Timor-Leste strengthen health security and combat COVID-19.
The newly drilled borehole will provide clean water to ensure the integrity of the health quarantine process at the facility, which is located at the main border crossing between Indonesia and Timor-Leste.
“This new borehole is another indication of the U.S. commitment to help Timor-Leste beat back COVID-19 and strengthen health security,” said U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Tom Daley.
“Timor-Leste can continue to count on the support of the United States every step of the way as we get through this pandemic. Together, we will end the pandemic, jumpstart economic recovery, and build a safer and more prosperous future for all of our citizens.”
The new borehole is one element of a $2.3 million project funded by the United States through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command to strengthen health security.
The project includes the borehole, a water reservoir tank, pump, and motor to help the facility control the spread of COVID-19.
UNICEF is also partnering with the Ministry of Health to provide water and public toilet facilities to the border crossing facility along with handwashing stations to the quarantine facility.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, the United States has worked side-by-side with the Government of Timor-Leste to provide more than 200,000 Pfizer vaccines and over $6.4 million in critical assistance to fight COVID-19. (Pr)
