Charity set to assist Kiwis
The appeal:
A humanitarian group that usually provides life-saving aid to Third World countries is now giving to New Zealanders.
For the first time, Unicef New Zealand is focusing humanitarian efforts on Kiwi children and families affected by Covid-19.
Unicef NZ has partnered with the Salvation Army and Countdown to provide urgent food and hygiene supplies to hundreds throughout the country.
In normal circumstances, the Salvation Army provides up to 1200 food parcels a week but the need is expected to grow to 3000 a week. Unicef has started fundraising to help with family emergency packs. The organisations hope their combined efforts can service the growing need.
The move came as the number of Kiwis infected with the disease rose to 1106 yesterday.
Globally, the latest figures show that more than 1,270,069 have contracted the virus with 69,308 dead.
The humanitarian aid comes on the heels of an OECD report that says the magnitude of the economic fallout would far outweigh anything experienced during the global financial crisis in 2008-09.
New Zealand would see an
The appeal includes three price points: a small family trolley for $30.49, a medium family trolley for $61.12 and a large family trolley for $91.14. Each trolley would include essential food supplies and hygiene supplies. Countdown will pack deliver them to a local Salvation Army Foodbank Hub. The supplies will be distributed to families in that community. Zuru Toys founder Nick Mowbray will match the first $50,000 raised by Unicef NZ. To donate go to: covid19.unicef.org.nz/ initial drop of almost 30 per cent in activity, the OECD predicted, compared to about 15 per cent in Ireland, 22 per cent in Australia and 25 per cent in the United States.
Some estimates suggest as many as 200,000 New Zealanders could lose their jobs during the alert level four lockdown period, but the blow would be worse for those who were already struggling.
Unicef NZ executive director Vivien Maidaborn said it was the first time the organisation had launched an emergency appeal within New Zealand.
It is widely known for its relief efforts in Third World nations. Maidaborn said the unprecedented times called for unprecedented measures.
‘‘With so many parents forced out of paid work, more children are going hungry than ever before,’’ she said.
‘‘Families already under pressure before Covid-19 are now in a situation with parents losing their jobs. Even with the Government assistance, this often means 80 per cent of income goes on rent.
‘‘Time is not on our side, and we need to work quickly before the situation gets worse here in New Zealand . . . Families are struggling to provide basic essentials like food and soap.’’
Unicef responds to nearly 300 emergencies around the world every year and the pandemic has caused widespread disruption to their work.
Maidaborn said they would continue to support countries in need despite the setback.
‘‘It’s disrupting supply channels, vaccine cold chains, children’s education,’’ she said.
‘‘There is not an area of our work that Covid-19 doesn’t impact, but this is where Unicef excels.
‘‘We have decades of experience working in crises and emergencies.
‘‘We will always be there for kids, regardless of where they live in the world.
‘‘Our work doesn’t stop during a crisis, we scale up.’’
Maidaborn urged New Zealanders to donate to the appeal.