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1st Int. Transborder Conf. of the Timor Island: Timor %u2013 Science without borderDili, 7-8 May 202542Assessing Food Security and Nutrition Status among Vulnerable Populations in Timor-Leste especially in RAEOAHelio A. da Costa X. Mauquei, Francisco P.Oliveira and Jacinto U. SuniUniversidade Nacional Timor-Lorosa%u2019e, Timor-LesteAbstractThis research investigates food security and nutritional status among vulnerable populations in Timor-Leste, with a particular focus on the Authority of the Special Administrative Region of Oe-C%u00fasse Ambeno (RAEOA). This study aimed to assess the multifaceted factors contributing to food insecurity and malnutrition. The study drawnon demographic data, food consumption patterns, and access to nutrition services%u2014factors essential to understanding the challenges faced by vulnerable groups in the region. Timor-Leste, and especially the RAEOA region, experiences significant levels of food insecurity. Vulnerable groups, including children, pregnant women, and rural communities, face considerable barriers to adequate nutrition. A 2019 study revealed that only 25% of the population was food secure. While many households can afford diets that meet their energy needs, nutritious food remains inaccessible to the majority. The country%u2019s dependence on food imports%u2014accounting for 60% of its food supply%u2014combined with low agricultural productivity further exacerbates this insecurity. The RAEOA region is particularly at risk due to its geographic isolation and limited resources. Food insecurity here is driven by a complex interplay of factors, including poverty, inadequate infrastructure, limited educational opportunities, and cultural practices. Additionally, climate change and agricultural constraints pose ongoing threats to food production and availability. Marked disparities between urban and rural areas also contribute to unequal access to nutritious food and healthcare services. This study seeks to assess the extent of food insecurity and malnutrition in Timor-Leste, with a special emphasis on RAEOA. Its objectives are twofold: first, to collect demographic data, and second, to evaluate household food security through questions on food access, meal frequency, and experiences of hunger. It also examines dietary patterns, including fruit and vegetable intake and access to clean drinking water. Nutritional status will beassessed through indicators such as weight loss, appetite changes, and signs of malnutrition in children and pregnant or lactating women. In addition, the study explores access to healthcare services, the distance to such facilities, and barriers to nutrition education or counseling. Economic factors, including sources of income, recent income changes, and participation in government assistance programs, will be analyzed to understand household vulnerability. The research will also consider the role of community support networks and traditional coping mechanisms in addressing food shortages and economic hardship. The findings will inform policy and interventions aimed at improving food security and nutrition among vulnerable populations in TimorLeste, particularly in the RAEOA region. By assessing food access, nutritional status, and influencing factors, the research will generate valuable data to support targeted interventions, enhance health outcomes, and advance sustainable development goals in the country.Keywords : Food Security, Malnutrition, Vulnerable Populations, RAEOA Region, TLS