This week Cristian World Service (CWS) is appealing for Fiji where COVID-19 and hunger are spreading rapidly as well as for Indian fish workers under COVID.

COVID Appeal for Fiji

Our partner SEEP (Social Empowerment Education Programme) works primarily in rural areas where staff have helped to protect communities from Covid-19. SEEP is now joining local efforts to address the escalating situation facing families in the worst affected Suva/Nausori corridor.

SEEP is seeking urgent funding to provide:

• emergency ration packs for large families and those with disabled or elderly members, including people living in the informal settlements. A ration pack costs $83 and includes root crops and other vegetables purchased from the 43 rural communities with whom SEEP works. SEEP will ensure strict handling procedures and full PPE gear from staff distributing the packs.
• hygiene and first aid supplies to the rural community dispensaries and nurses as well as PPE.
• provide seeds, soil and seed trays so people can start or expand home gardens.

SEEP is coordinating with local organisations to avoid duplication.

Please promote our appeal and consider organising a fundraising event or collection to help.

Donations can be designated to other badly hit countries if preferred.

We ask for your continued prayers for all people at risk of Covid-19, especially in India, Sri Lanka and Fiji.

Winter Appeal for Indian Fish workers under Covid

Our Life is so Difficult said Chandramathi when describing her life on the coast of Tamil Nadu, South India. The pandemic has tested the endurance of these fearless fish workers. Life was already hard. Chandramathi and her husband borrowed money so he could travel to Dubai for work. He has not been able to send money home since the start of the pandemic and she has had to feed her family and make interest payments.

She and her colleagues face these challenges with new skills and confidence they have learned as part of the Legal Aid to Women Trust. Read their story and if you can, please support our Winter Appeal so they can start new businesses and protect their livelihoods.

Watch the short video made during lockdown. Printed copies are available from Jordyn at cws@cws.org.nz