Rotary members worldwide are helping health authorities communicate lifesaving information about COVID-19 and vaccination

Article by PDG Malini Raghwan, Assistant Regional Public Image Coordinator

Tapping into decades of experience in bringing polio to the brink of eradication, Rotary members worldwide are helping health authorities communicate lifesaving information about COVID-19 and vaccination, combatting misinformation, supporting fair and equal access to vaccines, and curbing the spread of the virus by donating protective gear and other supplies to clinics and hospitals that are under strain, and to the broader community.

As the COVID-19 pandemic spreads uncertainty and hardship around the world, Rotary members and its partners are innovating, caring for those affected, and showing that even at a COVID safe distance, there are ways to help.

As people of action, in normal circumstances, Rotary members would be engaged in their communities — gathering for projects and offering help to those in need. But in many areas, life is changing drastically.

In Fiji, our eight clubs across the country have been working together, pooling resources and sharing information under one banner – Rotary Fiji. To date we have collectively raised over $800,000 in cash and kind donations in support of COVID-19 recovery and response efforts.

Rotary Fiji has been able to provide assistance to over 800 households in Fiji through the provision of food packs – these have been via direct food pack distributions as well as via a food voucher system in partnership with local supermarkets.

Our assistance also includes the distribution of close to 1 million face masks through civil society networks (including direct communities or community groups), and government ministries.

Support has also been provided to COVID positive mothers and their babies at isolation centres around Fiji. This has been through the provision of packs that contain assorted baby products and breakfast/food items for the mothers.

Despite not being able to physically gather for meetings, Rotary clubs continue to meet online, and this has also enabled and promoted greater participation and attendance, especially from Rotarians outside of Fiji. This has meant that the Rotarian network shares information on where and what resources/assistance is needed, and the type of Rotary support to be mobilised to areas in need and identified by Rotary Fiji collective.

Rotary Fiji would like to thank our partners who have worked with us since mid-last year on COVID community response efforts. Special mention to be made of the Rotary Clubs in Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii as well as our local private sector who contributed and mobilised resources to work with Rotary through donations, facilitating discounts for product purchases, and enabling their staff to work with us as needed. This is most appreciated.