People living in the eastern region now have ready access to markets, schooling, medical facilities, and other services, thanks to the rehabilitation of five bridges along the main road connecting Lospalos and Viqueque. Four of the five bridges are already in use and the fifth will be completed by the end of September.

"The labourers are drawn from the vicinity of the sites where the bridges are constructed," says Joao Camara, National Project Manager. "The local communities play a key role in organizing the men to work on a rotational basis to enable as many people as possible to access the employment benefits offered by the project."

The project aims to promote socio-economic development in Viqueque and Lautem as a means of reducing poverty in the two districts. Recognizing the agricultural development potential of the eastern region, it focuses on improving access to potential growth centres.

The initiative employs a labour-intensive construction method to provide short-term employment opportunities to hundreds of people living near the project sites, mainly as unskilled labuor, semi-skilled workers, equipment operators, and supervisors.

Financed by the European Union and the Government of Timor-Leste, the US$8.8 million project is being implemented by the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and the UN Development Programme (UNDP).