DILI, Timor-Leste - The United States joined Timor-Leste to welcome the successful arrival of 24,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine on April 5, 2021. This shipment was made possible through the COVAX Advance Market Commitment, a global initiative to support equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines. The United States has announced the provision of an initial $2 billion—out of a total planned $4 billion—to the COVAX Advance Market Commitment, which will support vaccine distribution to over 90 countries including Timor-Leste. This makes the United States the single largest contributor to the international response to COVID-19.
“COVID-19 is a global problem that requires a global solution,” said U.S. Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Kevin Blackstone. “I am proud that the United States is the leading contributor to the global COVID-19 response and that the international community is coming together to combat COVID-19. This is part of our long-standing support for Timor-Leste’s healthcare systems. The United States has worked closely with Timor-Leste since the start of the pandemic and has contributed more than $1.6 million to the COVID-19 response in Timor-Leste in addition to U.S. contributions to COVAX.”
Proven safe and effective vaccines are our most effective tool in combating the pandemic and the United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is proud to support COVAX, which only uses vaccines that have been rigorously tested and robustly proven to be safe and effective.
Longstanding U.S. government health partnerships and investments in Timor-Leste include USAID support for Ministry of Health programs to combat malaria and strengthen maternal and child healthcare, as well as U.S. Department of Defense health programs and U.S. Navy Seabee work to build and improve clinics. These efforts have provided the technical expertise and critical infrastructure to bolster preparedness and rapidly respond to and help control the COVID-19 pandemic and save lives. Over the past 20 years the United States has contributed $70 million for health services in Timor-Leste.
Cris Guterres/USAID