The Ministry of Health and UNICEF launched Timor-Leste's celebration of the International Year of Sanitation on
Friday, 20 June. The launch was organized to increase awareness across the country on sanitation and hygiene
issues. Many activities were used to highlight the launch, including a motorcade around Dili town, and street
theater skits on hygiene.

At the launch, UNICEF Representative Jun Kukita said that he believes sanitation and hygiene should be national
priorities. "UNICEF is committed to continue working with the Government and with partners for improving the
sanitation and hygiene situation of Timor-Leste," said Mr Kukita.
Mr Kukita explained that the problems associated with sanitation and hygiene are two critical areas facing many
developing nations, including Timor-Leste. Millions of people around the world die each year due to unhygienic
conditions, especially contamination of their food and drinking water by faeces.
Lack of access to environmental sanitation and hygiene affects women and children most. Diarrhea and the
accompanying dehydration is one of the leading causes of deaths among children. With simple hygiene
practices, such as washing hands, illnesses such as diarrhea can be can greatly reduced.
Lack of clean and safe toilets also leaves women and girls vulnerable to abuse and violence- particularly at night
time and in secluded areas. Having access to private toilets will help reduce the incidences of violence against
women and girls.