Westpac partners with Rotary Club of Suva East to assist families in need Suva, Fiji – 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. [Read more for the full press release].
15 July 2021
PRESS RELEASE
Westpac partners with Rotary Club of Suva East to assist families in need
Suva, Fiji – 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.
Rotary Club of Suva East President, Erica Lee said Westpac’s support comes at a
crucial time when Fiji continues its uphill battle with the effects of the coronavirus and
many Fijians remain out of work and unable to feed their families.
“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. We are working through partnerships with the corporate sector like
Westpac to help assist families in need,” she said.
Kip Hanna, Westpac Fiji Chief Executive, said for over 119 years Westpac has
supported communities throughout the Pacific and had partnered with Rotary and
other organisations over the years to support health, education and humanitarian
response.
“Westpac has given $30,000 to help families throughout Fiji who are struggling to cope
with the economic impact of the pandemic,” he said.
Since the pandemic reached Fiji’s shores in March last year, Westpac has partnered
with Rotary clubs and other charitable organisations on COVID-response projects.
Under the current partnership, the Rotary Club of Suva East will mobilise COVIDresponse
assistance through Rotary Fiji (a collective of 8 Rotary Clubs 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.
According to Rotary District 9920 District Governor Nominee and Immediate Past Area
Governor for Fiji Vineeta Nand, Rotary Fiji has collectively mobilised over $370,000 and
dedicated countless volunteer hours towards response and relief efforts.
“Given the growing needs of Fijians following the pandemic, 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. We
appreciate the support from the private sector and Rotary Clubs in New Zealand and
Australia who continue to support us at this time,” said Ms Nand.
--Ends—
Club No. 1852
Rotary International District 9920
Pacific Islands and New Zealand
For more information, contact Rotary Club of Suva East - President: Erica Lee Email: ericalee82@gmail.com Phone: +679 9214638 Westpac – Senior Manager Corporate Affairs: Rowena Taito Email: rowena.taito@westpac.com.au Phone: +679 9982408 About the Rotary Club of Suva East The Rotary Club of Suva East was established in September 1980. The club has supported, funded and organised numerous projects focused on the development of health, education, water, and poverty alleviation throughout Fiji.