Country map
Timor-Leste
Human Development Index Ranking (UNDP, 2022)
140
Population (UNFPA, 2023)
1.4 milion

Volunteer statistics (ILO)*

Source: ILOSTATS. The data is collected by ILO from national statistical offices. As national statistics on volunteer work are produced using a variety of approaches and tools, direct and cross-country comparisons are not recommended. For more information, visit https://ilostat.ilo.org/topics/volunteer-work/

No data

Measurement work

No data

Laws, Policies, Schemes on Volunteering

Does the country have a piece of legislation on volunteering?

No data

Does the country have a national policy, scheme, plan or strategy specific to volunteering?

No data

Does the country have a sectoral and cross-sectoral policy, scheme, plan or strategy that mentions volunteering?

Yes

Name of specific policy, strategy or plan on volunteering at the national level. Year created Source link What are the relevant SDG areas/crosscutting themes of the policy, plan scheme or strategy?
National Youth Policy 2016 View source
National Disaster Risk Management Policy 2008 View source

VNR Reporting

Voluntary National Review of Timor-Leste 2019

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Reporting positive contribution of volunteering to the SDGs

Paragraph 1, page 61

Box 13: Using volunteers to ensure no one is left behind Although the Saude na Familia programme has enabled doctors to reach rural areas, there are still remote locations where doctors do not reach. Saude Ba Ema Hotu - SABEH (Health for all), a locally registered health association,was established by a single doctor to fill the gap where domiciliary visits may miss certain households. Despite the increase in the number of health posts,there are still a number of remote Sucos (villages) that do not have a doctorstationed there or have not seen a doctor for a number of years and have access to little or no medicine. Volunteer doctors, midwifes and nurses who all sign up for a one-year voluntary period, travel to remote mountainous areas, carrying medicines and equipment on their backs. They provide free medical services to Sucos with no access to a doctor. The volunteers then provide regular visits twice a month for these Sucos. This is the first long-term voluntary programme in the country and aims to encourage Timorese doctors to consider working in rural areas. This programme, while only small, has succeeded in creating partnerships with some private sector companies and individuals to help raise funds for transportation and medicine.

No mention

The The Second Voluntary National Review Report on Progress of the Implementation of the SDGs, 2023

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Reporting positive contribution of volunteering to the SDGs

Paragraph 1, page 112

Therefore, keeping health services operational during the restrictions and continue reaching those needed, the role of volunteer organizations and volunteers in reaching remote communities and ensuring health services are not interrupted was important during Covid-19. This is something not only new during Covid-19, in fact Timor-Leste’s National Health Sector Strategic Plan 2011-2030 recognizes the engagement of volunteers into health promotion and behaviour change communication initiatives.

Paragraph 2, page 113

Good Practice 11: Volunteer health professionals bring vital medical care and Covid -19 vaccination to unreached areas of Timor-Leste The Saude ba Ema Hotu (SABEH, health for all) that provides medical consultation services directly to  communities in the most remote areas through a group of volunteer health care professionals comprising of General Doctors, nurses, midwifes, public health officers, and non-health persons who assist in the delivery of SABEH programmes for community development. In 2021, SABEH engaged 78 volunteers who provided free medical consultation to 7 remotes villages in 4 Municipalities across Timor-Leste, many of which have had no access to regular health services or mobile clinics. Having reached total number of 14,210 patients volunteers provided basic medical consultations, health promotion and prevention, Covid-19 awareness raising, prevention and vaccination, patient home visit and care, and Ante Natal Care programme. SABEH’s volunteers also supported the rollout of Covid-19 vaccinations, which included the administration of 10,458 doses of the Covid-19 vaccine and advocacy for vaccinations to the communities. In addition, SABEH also works with other non-health entities who are interested and willing to perform volunteer services for other social issues in remote communities.

Paragraph 3, page 127

With no buildings or students to start with, Kasian visited every household, identifying children between the ages of 2.5 and 4 years old to enroll in her preschools and persuading parents. She began teaching the children herself, giving them basic lessons on reading and writing, and eventually sought out volunteer teachers to help her.

Paragraph 1, page 112

Therefore, keeping health services operational during the restrictions and continue reaching those needed, the role of volunteer organizations and volunteers in reaching remote communities and ensuring health services are not interrupted was important during Covid-19. This is something not only new during Covid-19, in fact Timor-Leste’s National Health Sector Strategic Plan 2011-2030 recognizes the engagement of volunteers into health promotion and behaviour change communication initiatives.

UNSDCF Reporting

United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework Timor-Leste 2021-2025

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Volunteering integrated into the narrative text of the UNSDCF

Paragraph 1, page 38

To address these needs, additional training courses, quality of training delivered, assessment of competencies and knowledge on volunteerism need further improvement, and they should reflect the different challenge and skills needs of different groups of the population, with a strong focus on the most marginalized. The promotion of formal, well-regulated and supported volunteering schemes can also contribute to the skills development of youth while promoting their labour force participation.

No mention
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