Part of this transition is moving away from the provision of support packages, now that the peak of the crisis has passed and exploring new ways to support Pacific families in the post Covid 19 economy.
However, PMA is still delivering the remaining support packages to the Pacific community through their partners and todays data shows 56,521 individuals have received Covid-19 Packages of Support during lockdown level four and three, reaching 10,326 families across New Zealand. Almost half of these families have six or more family members.
The data also shows that more than half of the families that received support packages are experiencing a loss of income and over three quarters cannot meet basic needs.
The Pacific Island’s Community Trust of Gisborne (PICT) ¾a Covid-19 support package partner, have so far given 228 grocery vouchers to families in their area.
Interim operations manager for PICT Gisborne, Dr ‘Alaimaluloa Toetu’u-Tamihere, says some of the most vulnerable families in the region who have received food vouchers have been Pacific seasonal or forestry workers who have been completely out of work during lockdown.
“We’ve had to revisit many families and provide them with food vouchers. It’s good they have reached out because we want to help those that are most vulnerable during this time,” Dr Toetu’u-Tamihere says.
Senijiale Bilomumu and her family are one of many who received food vouchers from PICT Gisborne during lockdown. She said it has been a worrying time for her family, but food vouchers have helped relieve their stress and anxiety.
“Just before the lockdown we had to move to a new house, because the owners of our last unit sold the place,” she says. “We were lucky to move into a new house, but the rent for this house is almost double what we were paying at the old unit. So, it was worrying when work hours changed and work places started to close”.
“As a caregiver, I was fortunate that I could still pick up some work shifts but my husband who works in forestry has only been able to return back to work in level three. The money that was given by Government was used for rent and bills and so we are grateful that Ala at PICT Gisborne has kept in contact with us and helped with food necessities.”
Dr Toetu’u-Tamihere says next week will be PICT Gisborne’s last distribution of vouchers to families but assures that they are working on additional funding and with various mainstream organisations to continue supporting their community.
“We are thinking ahead, finding funding avenues and other agencies that are available to families. Even though next week is our last week for these particular packages, we are still here to support families.”
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Date: Friday 1 May 2020
