In May 2002 Timor Leste (formerly known as East Timor) became an independent nation after voting to separate from Indonesia in 1999, and three years of UN governance. Timor Leste is the poorest country in Asia and severely lacks infrastructure.
The main challenges facing Timor Leste’s development include building its own system of governance, restoring the health and education sectors and building an independent economy.
AFAP was one of the first organisations in Timor Leste providing emergency relief following the destruction campaign after the UN-sponsored consultation in which Timor Leste chose to become independent in 1999. Today, as life in Timor Leste begins to regain some stability after years of turmoil, AFAP is focusing its work on long-term capacity building to enable the people of Timor Leste to gain control of their futures.
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TIMOR LESTE
Area:
14,874 sq km
Population: about 1 million
Poverty Report
Human Development Index for 2008: ranked 158 out of 177 countries
Percentage of population living on less than $1/day: 40% |
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