East Timor

CRS and our partners are working to provide farmers with new varieties of maize seeds that are resulting in increased crop yields. Photo by Jennifer Hardy/CRS

CRS and our partners are working to provide farmers with new varieties of maize seeds that are resulting in increased crop yields. Photo by Jennifer Hardy/CRS

Timor Leste (East Timor), an island nation near Australia, is one of the world's newest countries. Unfortunately, its struggle for independence caused violence that left many in the country poor, homeless or sick.

Catholic Relief Services works with impoverished Timorese people to improve their lives. We care for people with HIV and TB, teach farmers ways to grow more food, build peace between opposing groups and help others in need.

Learn more about the 111 Days of Prayer for a Peaceful and Democratic Election in Timor-Leste.

Latest Stories From East Timor

View all stories »»

  • A Mother's Courage, a Daughter's Calling

    Agatha opposed her family so that her only daughter could become a nun who now cares for and comforts some of East Timor's most isolated people. »»

  • 111 Days of Prayer

    Catholic Relief Services and the local Catholic church in East Timor are leading a campaign of prayer for peaceful national elections. »»

  • Battling Tuberculosis in Asia

    TB attacks people who are already weak. In countries like East Timor, CRS programs help TB patients recover and prevent the disease from spreading. »»

 

Stats

Population:1,154,625
Size:5,743 sq mi; slightly larger than Connecticut
People Served:265,895

History

From 1979 to 1986, Catholic Relief Services East Timor was a suboffice of CRS Indonesia, carrying out emergency and food security programs. After the 1999 referendum for independence, CRS coordinated with church partners to provide relief assistance to families affected by the ensuing violence of the pro-Indonesia militias.

CRS Timor Leste became an independent country program in June 2000 to better respond to the devastation of East Timor and work directly with partners and beneficiaries. CRS has two offices in Timor Leste, the main office in Dili and a suboffice in Baucau.

Partners

Catholic Relief Services works with Church and non-Church partners such as diocesan justice and peace commissions, Catholic sisters, farmers' groups, local nongovernmental organizations, and women's groups.

Programs

Agriculture
Civil Society and Governance
Education
Disaster Response
Health
HIV and AIDS
Peacebuilding
Water and Sanitation


View Larger Map