Volunteering for water, sanitation and hygiene behaviour improvements : community-based approach in Timor-Leste

Following a turbulent road to independence, Timor-Leste has entered the transition from emergency relief and reconstruction over the
past two years to a strategic and planned development phase. The government has made increasing access to sanitation and
water its number one priority for both 2010 and 2011. Its commitment is demonstrated through the allocation of US$11.8 million to
supporting water and sanitation programs for 2010. To meet its targets for the Millennium Development Goals by 2015, Timor-Leste
aims to increase improved sanitation coverage in rural areas to more than half the households (from 40% to 55%) and rural access to safe and sufficient water to three out of four households (from 56% to 75%). However, increased water and sanitation coverage, without the practice of behaviours for the use and maintenance of latrines and handwashing with soap, reduces the impact of the construction programs. [authors abstract]