Looking at the way Timor Leste deals with Corona, its economy is not as bad as its economy

KOMPAS.com – After 21 years of being separated from Indonesia, Timor Leste (formerly known as East Timor) is also facing the situation of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Unlike Indonesia, he said Worldometers, the country with a population of 1,322,667 has only registered 27 cases of Covid-19 as of Thursday (3/9/2020).

Meanwhile, Indonesia reports thousands of cases daily.

Also read: The journey of Corona virus cases in Indonesia …

More recently, on Thursday (3/9/2020) 3,622 new cases were reported, bringing the number to 184,268 Covid-19 cases.

Of them, 7,750 people died. Meanwhile, there are no deaths in Timor Leste.

In fact, up to 25 people have been declared cured and there are currently 2 active cases. The first case in Timor Leste was reported on March 21, 2020

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How is the management of Covid-19 and the condition of Timor Leste facing the pandemic?

Reported UCA News, Tuesday (9/25/2020), towards the end of June, Timor Leste has successfully ended the state of emergency and declared victory against Covid-19.

Despite Timor Leste being a poor country with a weak healthcare system, they moved quickly towards the end of March by declaring a state of emergency for Covid-19.

The rules are stricter than most Australian states.

Also read: Predicting when the Covid-19 pandemic will end in Indonesia …

They take the necessary measures to prevent disease, contain pandemics, save lives and guarantee supply chains for goods and services.

Even if possible, they limit some fundamental rights and freedoms.

According to a group of academics from the University of Melbourne, in early March the government of Timor Leste closed its borders.

Also Read: Indonesian Citizens Are Banned From Entering Malaysia From Next Week, Is It True Due To Corona?

Help package

FLO PATTIPEILOHY The joy of visitors to see the attractions on stage at the Pesona Indonesia 2019 event in Oecusse, Timor Leste, on Saturday (3/30/2019).

Initially, the restrictions were only for non-citizens, but after that, everyone was restricted.

East Timorese nationals staying abroad (mostly students; low-skilled workers in the UK, Ireland and South Korea; or seasonal workers in Australia) are offered support to live abroad.

Timorese citizens received aid packages that included soap, eggs and rice from non-governmental organizations and the private sector.

Households that earn less than US $ 500 (Rp 7.4 million) per month are entitled to a monthly subsidy of US $ 100 (Rp 1.4 million) from the government.

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The border with Indonesia is patrolled by authorities imposing closures and stay-at-home orders.

However, like other countries that impose blockades or emergency shutdown, Timor Leste is facing economic problems. The oil and gas revenues that supported its economy soon dried up.

The newly acquired subsea power rights in the country in recent years are stuck in a pre-development phase.

Also read: When Australia tests alternatives to track coronavirus through sewers …

Researchers from the Australian National University found that Timor Leste has far more policies to deal with Covid-19 than its Pacific neighbors.

They emit 8.3 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The management of Covid-19 in Timor-Leste is almost 100% self-financed.

Meanwhile, as elsewhere, women and children tend to suffer more confinement situations due to the increase in domestic violence and the loss of face-to-face education.

“In Timor Leste, 59 percent of women between the ages of 15 and 45 who have been married have suffered physical and / or sexual violence by a close partner in their lifetime,” said the International Agency for Development of the Woman.

It is likely to increase due to safety, health and money concerns. This will put an additional burden on confined homes.

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The role of the Red Cross

One of the steps of the government is through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

Reported page IFRCOn Monday (8/17/2020), the Red Cross intensified the prevention campaign in the border areas that are considered the red zones of transmission of Covid-19.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, the East Timor Red Cross has prioritized the area and its 35 villages and 140 hamlets, as borders allow people to move illegally between neighboring countries.

Also read: Learn what is a black zone in Surabaya and why it happened.

The Timor Leste Red Cross provides important health information and awareness activities to contain the virus.

In a disease outbreak, getting involved by providing timely information to the most exposed communities is the best way to help people protect themselves.

They reach remote villages and hamlets, going from door to door. Whenever possible, they are amplified through radio messages and social networks.

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In addition to the education campaign, the Red Cross has collaborated with the Ministry of Health to set up quarantine tents in the capital, Dili, and at the border stations between Indonesia and Timor Leste.

Prioritizing hygiene, they have also established more than 80 hand-washing facilities in key areas such as government offices, schools, and churches.

“Timor Leste is one of the few countries in the world that has successfully contained Covid-19 and has responded quickly and effectively to deal with the pandemic from the start. With the detection of new cases, it is important that every effort is made to contain the transmission of Covid-19, “said Jan Gelfand, Head of the International Federation Country Cluster Support Team for Indonesia and Timor Leste.

Also read: WHO states that the Covid-19 vaccine will not be available before the end of 2021

Economic sector

SHUTTERSTOCK / ANDREW KOSYANENKO Illustration of Timor Leste – Jaco Island.

Reported page Heritage, Timor-Leste’s economic freedom score is 45.9.

This places Timor Leste at 171st in the world in the 2020 index.

In the Asia-Pacific region, Timor Leste is ranked 40th out of 42 countries and the overall score is well below the regional and world average.

Also read: Learn what an economic recession is, its impacts and causes …

Timor Leste’s economy has seen little sign of economic independence since it was included in the Index in 2009. Growth in gross domestic product (GDP) is weak.

The country’s economy depends on public spending that is financed with withdrawals from the Petroleum Fund.

Also read: Learn what an economic recession is and how it differs from an economic depression

KOMPAS.com/Akbar Bhayu Tamtomo
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