Almost everyone living in Timor-Leste is at risk of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Intestinal worms are common among children, stunting their growth and development and contributing to malnutrition and anemia. Children also suffer from yaws which causes painful skin lesions. Lymphatic filariasis (LF) — caused by parasitic filarial worms and spread by mosquitoes — often goes untreated, leaving people disfigured by severe swelling of the extremities and genitals.

Timor-Leste began a deworming campaign in 2002 called “Lumbriga…mak lae duni!” (Worms...no way!). But the government lacked the resources to expand the NTD campaign and NTDs remain endemic in all 13 districts. But with additional funding and resources to continue the program for five years, Timor-Leste could eliminate LF and yaws across the country and control intestinal worms.

In a country struggling to establish a basic health care system, END7 donations helped train volunteers to deliver medicine and establish regular surveillance of the diseases — including laboratory testing — to ensure the success of the campaign over the next five years.