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Country analysis

Timor Leste

Multiple factors related to food availability and access as well as the poor quality and low quantity of food consumption drive chronic food insecurity in Timor-Leste. Low agricultural productivity and limited livelihood opportunities limit food availability and access for the population. People tend to sustain themselves through singular or limited livelihood strategies. The impact of climate hazards, such as floods, droughts, cyclones, and earthquakes, also affects agricultural productivity and livelihoods. Poor WASH, health, and education facilities and inadequate communications and agricultural infrastructure aggravate the situation.

The negative impacts of the Russia-Ukraine conflict (especially increased fuel prices in 2022), the floods of 2021 and 2022, and the persisting negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have resulted in reduced income, increased household debt, and high food and fuel prices in the country.

Nearly 262,000 people (20% of the population) face severe acute food insecurity – i.e. Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse levels – and need urgent humanitarian assistance. Priority needs besides food include potable water and livelihood support.

(IPC 17/01/2019, IPC 14/02/2023)

Multiple factors related to food availability and access as well as the poor quality and low quantity of food consumption drive chronic food insecurity in Timor-Leste. Low agricultural productivity and limited livelihood opportunities limit food availability and access for the population. People tend to sustain themselves through singular or limited livelihood strategies. The impact of climate hazards, such as floods, droughts, cyclones, and earthquakes, also affects agricultural productivity and livelihoods. Poor WASH, health, and education facilities and inadequate communications and agricultural infrastructure aggravate the situation.

The negative impacts of the Russia-Ukraine conflict (especially increased fuel prices in 2022), the floods of 2021 and 2022, and the persisting negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have resulted in reduced income, increased household debt, and high food and fuel prices in the country.

Nearly 262,000 people (20% of the population) face severe acute food insecurity – i.e. Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse levels – and need urgent humanitarian assistance. Priority needs besides food include potable water and livelihood support.

(IPC 17/01/2019, IPC 14/02/2023)

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Latest updates on country situation

27 February 2024

About 360,000 people (27% of the population) could be facing Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse food insecurity levels from November 2023 to April 2024 – 100,000 more than the anticipated figure for May—September 2023. The estimated number of people facing Emergency (IPC Phase 4) levels also increased from 7,000 to 18,600 in the same period. The prices of rice and maize, the two main staple foods, increased in 2023. Timor-Leste heavily depends on imported rice, the price of which increased by 30% in December 2023 compared to December 2022. The price of maize in the country rose by 66% during the same period, and its production is expected to decrease in 2024 because of El Niño and fall armyworm infestations. The food insecurity situation will likely significantly affect the country’s children. Half of the children under five face chronic malnutrition, and nearly 40% are underweight. (WFP 19/02/2024, UNICEF accessed 27/02/2024)

current crises
in Timor Leste

These crises have been identified through the INFORM Severity Index, a tool for measuring and comparing the severity of humanitarian crises globally.

Read more about the Index

TLS003 - Food Security Crisis

Last updated 27/06/2024

Drivers

Food Security

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

2 Low

Access constraints

0.0

Analysis products
on Timor Leste

Timor Leste: Humanitarian impacts of El Niño-related drought and heat

13 May 2024

Timor Leste: Humanitarian impacts of El Niño-related drought and heat

DOCUMENT / PDF / 626 KB

From October 2023 to January 2024, precipitation fell over 30% below average levels. By mid-February, drought was detected 10 of Timor-Leste’s 14 municipalities: Aileu, Ainaro, Atauro, Baucau, Bobonaro, Covalima, Dili, Manatuto, Oecusse, and Viqueque.

Natural hazards
Southern Africa: Cyclone Season

03 May 2017

Southern Africa: Cyclone Season

DOCUMENT / PDF / 256 KB

Timor-Leste has been experiencing a severe drought due to the El Niño phenomenon since the end of 2015. The latest rainy season, which takes place from November 2016 to May 2017, has been insufficient and erratic, maintaining drought conditions on most of the island. In the next three months, rains are expected to remain insufficient with the onset of the dry season in June. 

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