The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) has provided emergency funding and food support to hundreds of Fijians as the number of cases of COVID-19 community transmission continues to escalate.
According to the latest ADRA Fiji situation report, there were 223 active COVID cases in Fiji as at May 27, including 41 new cases recorded over the May 22-23 weekend.
“A lot of Fijians are in direct need of food as their livelihoods have been greatly affected due to the COVID-19 crisis,” said ADRA Fiji country director Iliapi Tuwai.
“Since the second outbreak on April 17, we have been inundated with requests for food rations and other immediate needs.”
Mr Tuwai said emergency funding, which included contributions from the Trans Pacific Union Mission, the Fiji Mission, ADRA Australia and ADRA New Zealand, has enabled them to assist more than 200 families in the central and western divisions.
“For this we are really grateful,” he said. “We would also like to thank ECHO [European Civil Humanitarian Aid Operations] funds for meeting the urgent need of another 200 affected households in the western division. The need for food is a priority and ADRA Fiji is exploring all avenues to get the much-needed funding to support the helpless and the vulnerable people out there.”
ADRA South Pacific regional director Greg Young encouraged continued support for the people of Fiji.
“Families are struggling to make ends meet as the COVID-19 restrictions continue, but it is indeed a blessing to many when ADRA and the Church collaborate to support those who have been affected,” Mr Young said.
“Through that partnership ADRA South Pacific was able to activate the food scenario encompassed within ADRA Fiji’s National Emergency Management Plan. The need is ongoing and thank you also to those who gave to the Disaster and Famine Relief Offering which made this intervention possible.
“I urge all concerned to pray for the people of Fiji and continue to support them as and when you can.”
