EU-funded Water Well Drilling Project Inaugurated in Timor-Leste to Improve Access to Clean Water and Foster Sustainable Development

The European Union, Mercy Corps, and Bee Timor Leste EP have jointly inaugurated a water well drilling project facility in Timor Leste. This project has been implemented by Mercy Corps through the European Union-funded Maloa Urban Resilience Initiative. The ceremony was held on September 29th, 2023, and marked the official handover of the water well pumping facility to Bee Timor Leste EP for its continued management and maintenance.

 

The water well drilling project is one of six WASH projects selected by the Maloa watershed management council in 2022. It was constructed in the sub-village of Buka Fini, Village of Bairo Pite, from October 2022 to March 2023. The water well drilling has a depth capacity of 100 meters and can pump 5.5 liters of clean water per second. As part of this water well drilling project, the program also constructed a six-meter elevated tower for two water gallons with a carrying capacity of 8,500 liters of clean water. This pumping facility will benefit 1,286 people from 229 households in Buka Fini Sub-village, Bairo Pite Village, and can meet the community's need for clean water.

The Maloa Urban Resilience Initiative is implemented in six target villages within the Maloa watershed in Dili Municipality, Timor Leste. The program aims to improve the climate resilience of the Maloa watershed by managing and restoring the environment and supporting the social, economic, and environmental development of Dili Municipality. It seeks to support local governments, civil society organizations, businesses, and disaster-affected communities in improving knowledge, skills, capacity, and access to resources for developing plans and implementing strategies to improve climate resilience, economic development, and business recovery.

“On behalf of the EU, I would like to applaud you and all those that made this project possible. This project holds a lot of promise! All of you, more than 1000 people, will have improved access to one of the most important basic needs: clean water. 5 litres are extracted every second. 8500 litres as a reserve. Access to clean water is a treasure that 2 billion people in the world do not have access to. A treasure that the community of Buka Fini will have the privilege to maintain, protect and enjoy” said the EU Ambassador in Timor-Leste, Marc Fiedrich.

At the event, Xefe Aldeia of Buka Fini, Joao Paulo Soares expressed his feeling of joy because now because his two-hundreds households can now access to the clean water. "I am very happy that we cried out for clean water for several years and today, our dreams can be realised. So, on behalf of the Aldeia Buka Fini, I would like to thank you for the support of the European Union's efforts together with Mercy Corps,” he said.