Timor-Leste

Emergency Infrastructure Rehabilitation Project, Phase 1 (EIRP-1)

The poor transport and power infrastructure of Timor-Leste, severely damaged during the post-referendum conflict, hindered humanitarian assistance and peace-keeping operations. The Emergency Infrastructure Rehabilitation Project (EIRP) 1 aimed to provide access to humanitarian relief and facilitate peace and security by rehabilitating some of this key infrastructure, including the repair of main roads, the expansion of port facilities to reduce congestion of cargo handling and the restoration of power supply. The project has

• restored transport and power sector assets and supply
• improved the flow of goods, fuel, health care services, and food, and access to reviving markets
• generated significant employment among the people, most of whom were returning refugees who lost both property and livelihood
• generally improved the quality of life of the people of Timor-Leste.

Road rehabilitation under the project provided access to places that would otherwise be isolated. Road maintenance by community groups and national contractors created employment throughout the country, especially in rural areas, estimated at over 300,000 persondays.

Eighth Progress Emergency Infrastructure Rehabilitation Project, Phase 1