Crucial equipment for new phase in Bolsa da Mae Programme

Crucial equipment handed over to kickstart new phase in Bolsa da Mae Programme

The United Nations Development Programme transferred crucial pieces of equipment including motorbikes and laptops over to the Ministry of Social Solidarity in support of the Bolsa da Mae Programme at a ceremony in Dili on Monday.

Attended by the Secretary of State for Social Assistance and Natural Disasters, H.E. Mr. Jacinto Gomes de Deus, and UNDP Deputy Country Director, Mrs. Noura Hamladji, the materials were officially received by the Secretary, on behalf of the project and 13 newly appointed focal points for each of Timor-Leste’s 13 districts.

UNDP assists the Ministry of Social Solidarity’s Bolsa da Mae Programme to provide direct support to vulnerable families conditional on their children’s attendance at school and health clinics. This assistance is provided under a Joint-UN programme funded by MDG Spanish Fund and focused on strengthening certain institutions and mechanisms to protect women and girls against poverty and gender-based violence.

The assistance focuses on the idea of co-responsibility between the state and family; families need to send their children to school and health clinics, while the Government builds the infrastructure and facilities needed.

An information management system was also created and it will enable the Bolsa da Mae Programme to better identify beneficiary families in a fair and transparent way and to enable improved tracking and monitoring of payments.

The district focal points will run this information system and received appropriate training in data collection, data entry, and IT troubleshooting. Aside from use of the motorbikes and laptops, the district focal points will also benefit from other equipment supplied by UNDP including printers, generators, projectors, and fixed internet connections.

With the introduction of the information system and receipt of new equipments the Bolsa da Mae Programme will improve delivery and monitoring of the programme and ensure more transparency and accountability.

UNDP Deputy Country Director, Mrs. Noura Hamladji: “UNDP is honored to be in partnership with the Ministry of Social Solidarity in supporting the Bolsa da Mae Programme. Today, with the procurement and transfer of these equipments to the Ministry, we hope that the Programme will be able to improve its registration of beneficiaries and reach those families most vulnerable”.

ENDS

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