Illustrating the Covid-19 crisis in brief news from around SI’s Pacific neighbours
Radio New Zealand today released news reports which help us to see the situation in two of our Pacific neighbours, and I quote.
Compulsory vaccination set for Tonga
Tonga is set to introduce compulsory inoculation against Covid-19.
A Bill to amend the Public Health Act to enforce inoculation of the Public against Covid-19, was among seven Bills that government tabled into parliament this week.
The new amendment bill states that it will be a crime for anybody to refuse to be vaccinated against the virus.
Parents will also be held responsible if their children refuse to be inoculated.
Matangi Tonga online says after the first reading of the amendment Bill in Legislature it was carried with 17-0 votes.
It will be submitted to the Standing Committee on Social Services for deliberation, before it is resubmitted to parliament for its final reading.
Vaccination helping prevent Covid deaths, says Fiji govt
Fiji's Health Minister says vaccination against Covid-19 is helping to prevent deaths.
For the past two weeks in Fiji around a thousand new Covid cases were reported each day, as the official death toll closes in on 300.
The government continues to opt against a lockdown to focus instead on vaccination.
In an appearance on local tv, the minister, Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete said that 84 percent of the people who have died from Covid in Fiji were not vaccinated, while 16 percent had received the first of the two required does of the vaccine.
He said that no one fully vaccinated against the virus had died in Fiji.
Health ministry figures indicate 85 percent of Fiji's eligible population has received at least a first dose of the vaccine, and almost 30 percent have had two doses.
Appeal for help feeding families left without food, baby formula in Fijian crisis
Basic humanitarian needs are going unmet in Fiji say charities trying to provide food for Fijians caught up in the country's health and humanitarian crisis.
Thousands of food packs have been distributed across the nation by non-government organisations since the second wave outbreak began in April. But, as the situation worsens, many families in quarantine areas have been living hand to mouth, and the organisations are calling for more donations.
Just one meal a day was the reality for some in remote areas, as the country continued to grapple with a worsening health crisis, said Sashi Kiran, the director of Friend (the Foundation for Rural Integrated Enterprises and Development).
And some of Fiji's most vulnerable, like the elderly and disabled had been missing out on vital food packs.
"There are some cases where people are basically living off leftovers from their neighbours. That's all they were eating," Kiran said.
People were desperate to get their hands on food to feed their families, and many were now unemployed and isolating at home she said.
Save the Children New Zealand raised $170,000 to provide more than 2000 Fijian families with two weeks of essential groceries, including food basics, baby products, sanitiser, and masks.
But the organisation's chief executive for Fiji, Sharaina Ali, said they had a waitlist of more than 2000 more requests, including from pregnant women and mothers needing nappies and baby formula.
Some mothers had turned to feeding their babies sugar water out of desperation because they were unable to afford formula, and were unable to feed everyone in their household, she said.
"In terms of food security - people being able to provide for their families - that's the major issue right now. If you have funds to spare, please do support families in Fiji who [www.savethechildren.org.nz really need support right now]".
The Fijian government has offered a monthly allowance of $120 for 6 months, which will be paid in two lump-sum payments, but Ms Kiran said it won't suffice.
NGOs like Save the Children are reporting they need all the financial support they can get, and called on New Zealanders to donate so they could keep distributing food packs to help Fijians struggling to survive.
The Fijian government has announced an unemployment allowance of $120 a month (NZ$175) for six months for those affected by the pandemic, that is to be paid in two lump sums from August. But Kiran said that was not enough to get by on.
"You know $120 is really not enough for fuel, medication and food." She expected the payment would likely only cover a week's worth of food bills for a family.
End of quotes.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
