Westpac in association with the Rotary Club of Suva East has embarked on a partnership to help Fijians facing food insecurity and other related impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Westpac Fiji Chief Executive, Kip Hanna says Westpac has given $30,000 to help families throughout Fiji who are struggling to cope with the economic impact.
He says Westpac has partnered with Rotary clubs and other charitable organisations on COVID-response projects since March last year.
Under the current partnership, the Rotary Club of Suva East will mobilise COVID response assistance through Rotary Fiji with support from the Rotaract Club of Suva to help implement the project on the ground.
With this funding, Rotary Fiji will provide food rations for around 250 families, 150 baby essential packs which will contain sustainable cloth napkins, 200 hygiene packs also containing reusable sanitary pads and 200 fresh vegetable packs to support better nutrition.
Rotary Club of Suva East President, Erica Lee says Westpac’s support comes at a crucial time when Fiji continues its uphill battle with the effects of COVID-19 and many Fijians remain out of work and unable to feed their families.
Lee says Rotary clubs across Fiji are inundated with requests from Fijians who are desperate for support with food, baby essentials, hygiene products and personal protective equipment.
She says they are working through partnerships with the corporate sector like Westpac to help assist families in need.
Meanwhile, Rotary Fiji has collectively mobilised over $370,000 and dedicated countless volunteer hours towards response and relief efforts.
Rotary Clubs in Fiji are pooling resources and sharing information to ensure there is a more cohesive and coordinated approach in how it assists the most vulnerable in our communities.
