When the World Food Program (WFP) needed trucks in June to deliver emergency food supplies to sites across the country, the Timor-Leste Transport Association was ready. The independent truckers' group won a $40,000 contract to deliver 2,000 metric tons of food to 9 of the country's 13 districts.

The civil disturbances of May and June sent an estimated 150,000 people to camps in Dili and family villages in the districts. The exodus paralyzed economic activity, including the usual exchange of goods and services between the capital and the districts. With the arrival of international forces, the security situation in Dili has stabilized, and international donors are focusing on providing emergency relief.

The distribution of emergency relief supplies to displaced people in the camps and in the districts is a huge task. USAID's private-sector development program (Dezenvolve Setór Privadu, or DSP) helped the Transport Association to win a distribution contract with the World Food Program (WFP) to distribute 2,000 metric tons of food relief to sites across the country. The first deliveries of 150 metric tons were carried out by four Association members to camps in Dili for internally displaced persons (IDPs) during the second half of June. The Association also distributed more than 48 metric tons to IDPs in Baucau District at the beginning of July.

The Association has 50 trucks available for this contract. As the distribution workload has increased, the Association has even subcontracted to other truck owners to ensure that the relief reaches its destinations on time. DSP has continued its support of the Association, helping members organize the deliveries and formalize relationships with subcontractors.

Head of WFP warehouse operations, Aires Vidal Moreira, works closely with the Association. "Through our daily contact with the Transport Association, and support from USAID-DSP, we have distributed our food aid smoothly to 9 districts, including sending some of the trucks on the ferry to Atauro Island," Moreira explained. "The Association offered cheaper prices than the other bidders and also provides very good service."

DSP's technical assistance to the Transport Association has helped it become a more professional association. Its members have improved their skills in managing their workloads, marketing their services, and finding clients. Even before the current crisis, DSP helped the Association become a qualified bidder for WFP contracts. As the Association grows, DSP will also help it formalize its organizational structure and facilitate staff training. DSP's work supports USAID's strategic objective to promote economic growth and expansion of the private sector in Timor-Leste.