On 24 July, in a landmark achievement for global health, the World Health Organization (WHO) has officially certified Timor-Leste as malaria-free. This announcement marks a major milestone in the fight against one of the world’s oldest and deadliest diseases—and Rotary has played a vital role in this success.
This is a proud moment in ARAM’s over 30-year history, finally seeing one of our partner countries achieve WHO malaria-free certification. Since 2006, we have been part of Timor-Leste’s fight to end malaria.
ARAM’s role acknowledged
ARAM’s role in the fight against malaria in Timor-Leste was acknowledged in the Speech from the Minister of Health delivered on 25 July 2025 by her Vice at the celebration of their 10th National Health Day. The National Health Day celebration was attended by many dignitaries e.g. WHO Timor Leste, UNICEF, DFAT Australia, etc. President Ramos Horta spoke on the day.
The Prime Minister Xana Gusmao also gave a speech, saying “Today, we mark a proud moment. Malaria no longer threatens our future.”
A bit of history on West Timor:
Previous National ARAM Manager Jenny Kerrison PhD (2019-22) realised early on in her role that to safeguard our years of investment in Timor-Leste (e.g. by predecessors PDG Phil Dempster and Dave Pearson), we must help West Timor eliminate malaria. Thus, in 2019, ARAM added West Timor to its partner countries.
In 2020, in our first ARAM visit to West Timor, Rotarians Jenny, Andrea, and Peter conducted a community assessment in West Timor. The community assessment was funded by ARAM and a district grant from the Rotary Club of North Hobart and District 9830.
Since then, ARAM has consistently provided assistance to our partners, health bodies, and government in Timor-Leste. We had two successive Rotary Global Grants to assist with funding, and assistance from the Rotary Club of North Hobart and more recently by the Rotary Club Darwin & Dili.
Through these grants, ARAM was quick to respond to needs for funding in Timor-Leste’s malaria program. Working closely with the Rotary Foundation, we were flexible and quick to respond to fill gaps in funding.
What’s next?
ARAM has been an important resource, and the fight is now over.
But our job is not done yet! Now we must continue our support to prevent the reestablishment of malaria in the country.
We are all cognizant of the fact that we must continue our support for Timor-Leste, to prevent the reestablishment of malaria. Funding is required for cross malaria collaboration and surveillance with our partners in West Timor. Our focus will also be on the international land border between Timor-Leste and West Timor.
We thank all Rotarians in Australia and overseas. We also thank the great Rotarians in RAM Global Rotary Action Group for their tireless support for ARAM.