USAID Helps National Radio Expand its Coverage
Technicians for Radio Televisão Timor-Leste plan to have three more of its eleven transmitters back on the air this week, leaving just one to be repaired next week. The national broadcaster covers most of the country with its transmitter network and is the only nationwide source of news and information. The emergency repair work has been funded by USAID through its Small Grants Program. (July 5, 2006)


Microfinance Staff Continue Operations During Crisis
With 8,144 members and a current savings portfolio of nearly $1 million, Moris Rasik is Timor-Leste's largest rural microfinance organization. Its work has continued throughout the current political and civil crisis. Despite personal assaults and some theft of assets, Moris Rasik's 98 staff have continued to collect payments and make disbursements at almost all its centers to meet dramatically increased demand. Its strong base is reflected in its portfolio-at-risk (PAR) ratio, which stands at 2.98 despite the current crisis. USAID has supported Moris Rasik since it was founded in 2000, most recently through its private-sector development project, which this week financed an emergency meeting of its board to plan its immediate response to the crisis and its long-term strategy to reach operational sustainability by 2007 and expansion into all 13 of Timor-Leste's districts. (July 5, 2006)


Provedor's Office Submits First Annual Report on Time
The Provedor's Office--Timor-Leste's new watchdog on human rights, corruption, and poor governance--submitted its first annual report to Parliament on June 30, meeting the legal deadline despite the current political and social upheaval. The timely submission sends a strong message that the office has not only continued to function throughout the crisis but has rapidly increased the human rights monitoring component with staff from other sections and also collaborating with local human right NGOs. The annual report includes a section on the events of April – June 2006 as well as making recommendations for strengthening the independence and effectiveness of the institution in protecting citizens’ rights. USAID, through its partner Management Sciences for Development, has supported the office since it was established in 2005. (July 5, 2006)

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