Empower Pacific receives 4,550 calls since the second wave of COVID-19 of which 20% of the callers were single mothers

Empower Pacific has received 4,550 calls since the second wave of COVID-19 of which 20 percent of the callers were single mothers who called for food assistance for their children, education supplies and infant packs.

The CEO of Empower Pacific, Patrick Morgam says they are facing challenges in meeting the needs of these mothers in the provision of diapers, powdered milk and milk formula as these are expensive items and other stakeholders rarely provide these items.

He says they are always open to donors that are willing to donate such items to help families in need.

Morgam says they have also received calls from single parents, primary care givers, single bread-winner families, the elderly and the disabled for basic food items.

He says students attending tertiary institutions have also called requesting for school stationery including laptops and phones to help them with their online assignments and classes.

Morgam says the situation on the ground is disheartening as there are many individuals calling the helpline for counselling to address their issues of difficult life events such as the death of a loved one, loss of job, abuse and diagnosis of a serious physical illness such as COVID-19.

If you need to talk to someone, you can contact Empower Pacific on 5626.