Timor-Leste

2020 Country Profile

Joined: October 2020

Population: 1.32 million

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Nutrition situation

Under five stunting (%) 51.7
Under five overweight (%) 1.6
Anaemia in women 15-49 years (%) 41.3
Under five wasting (%) 9.9
Low birth weight (%) n.a.
0 to 5-month-old exclusive breastfeeding (%) 20.2
Adolescent overweight (%) Male: 12.8 / Female: 10.1
Adult overweight (%) Male: 18.6 / Female: 24.3
Adult obesity (%) Male: 2.6 / Female: 4.9
Adult diabetes (%) Male: 7.3 / Female: 7

COVID-19 snapshot

A national survey during the height of the pandemic indicated 38% of households were affected by moderate food insecurity, while 15% were affected by severe food insecurity. The State of Emergency disrupted market chains and led to food shortages. A total of 1,271 respondents were interviewed, with 81% indicating that their food and income were affected by COVID-19 restrictions, while 50% indicated they have experienced food shortage in shops and markets. The National COVID response teamdisseminated practical messages on nutrition and breastfeeding.

Institutional transformations 2019-2020

Total weighted
n.a.
2014
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2015
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2016
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2017
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2018
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2019
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2020
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Bringing people together into a shared space for action

Timor-Leste officially joined the SUN Movement in September 2020. The National Council for Food Security, Sovereignty and Nutrition in Timor-Leste (KONSSANTIL) engages a range of sectors and is replicated at the sub-national level. Despite the absence of approved statutes, the office of the Prime Minister convenes a multi-sector nutrition technical taskforce.
2014
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2015
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2016
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2017
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2018
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2019
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2020
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Ensuring a coherent policy and legal framework

The Consolidated National Action Plan for Nutrition (CNAP2) was developed and the process was approved by the Council of Ministers in November 2020. The issue of malnutrition is reflected in national policy documents including the Strategic Development Plan (2011- 2030), the National Zero Hunger Action Plan (2014-2025), the National Health Sector Strategic Plan (2011-2030) and other sector strategies. Legal frameworks are largely absent or still in draft.
2014
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2015
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2016
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2017
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2018
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2019
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2020
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Aligning actions around common results

The multi-sector nutrition technical taskforce is responsible for overseeing the development and reporting of the SDG2 CNAP and sector consultations have taken place. KONSSANTIL has progress on prioritizing nutrition interventions from each sector which formed the basis of the SDG2 CNAP. UNICEF and the Ministry of Health are developing a MOH Nutrition Specific Strategic Plan.
2014
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2015
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2016
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2017
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2018
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2019
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2020
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Financial tracking and resource mobilisation

There is no system to track expenditure on nutrition sensitive and specific activities across sectors. It is envisiones that CNAP2 will be costed with a system to track finances as part of the monitoring and evaluation system. An analysis undertaken of budget allocations for nutrition in the Ministry of Health indicated a significant increase in the budget for the nutrition department in 2021.

2020-2021 Priorities


  • Sector consultations completed, indicators and activities finalised and SDG2 CNAP2 presented to the Council of Ministers for final approval

  • SDG2 CNAP2 is costed and presented at 2021 budget discussions

  • Sectors and development partners start reporting against CNAP2

  • National Food Systems Summit is held 5. The National Health Sector Nutrition Strategic Plan is finalised

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