Putting food first – Fiji Staff respond to Covid and cyclone twin hit

Facing the twin hit of the economic fallout from Covid-19 and the destruction wrought by Tropical Cyclone Harold back in April, many Fijians are now facing hard times.

That’s why the ANZ Fiji Staff Foundation - a charitable trust funded and run by ANZ staff members - is targeting its efforts to support those most in need, finding ways to provide immediate relief and funding while respecting the physical distancing rules in place due to Covid-19.

One such project is the Farm Food Bank project, run by Rise Beyond the Reef, a not for profit organisation that works with women and children in remote communities.

The project encourages families in rural communities to grow their own food.

“These communities are all outside of the formal sector. There is no such thing as the Fiji National Providence Fund (superannuation) or other safety nets when times are tough,” says Janet Lottawa, Director and Co Founder of Rise Beyond the Reef.

“We believe food sovereignty is the best stimulus package for rural remote communities and that’s why we’ve focused our efforts on giving families plants they can harvest for their own food needs,” she says.

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The Farm Food Bank grows seedlings and cuttings that families can transfer to their own farms.

The one rule of the programme is that the plants aren’t for sale but for families to eat.

Over time, the hope is that ongoing planting will bring food security to remote areas.

“Word has spread about the initiative and we are excited as the communities in Ba are keen to join and allocate 1-2 acres in each village for planting of crops.”

“We are truly grateful for the support of the ANZ Fiji Staff Foundation and look forward to the next phase of the project."

“We believe food sovereignty is the best stimulus package for rural remote communities and that’s why we’ve focused our efforts on giving families plants they can harvest for their own food needs."

- Janet Lottawa, Director and Co Founder of Rise Beyond the Reef

The Foundation also supports local charities working in remote communities, including those providing funding for emergency food supplies, farm kits, rebuild work and disaster relief, as well as programmes to empower women and girls and combat period poverty.

Until now the ANZ Fiji Staff Foundation focussed on mobilising ANZ staff in large groups to volunteer in the community for projects such as mangrove planting or renovating health clinics.

But Covid-19 has changed that.

Pauline Kostatino, Trustee on the Fiji Staff Foundation Committee member, says the Foundation had to change its approach as a result of the physical distancing rules in place.

“Instead of taking the traditional approach of mobilizing our staff to go out in numbers, our team opted to collaborate closely with community partners.”

“This meant our community partners already on the ground were able to support and deliver our Staff Foundation charitable objectives in a safe and practical manner, without compromising health and safety.”

This new approach has meant the ANZ Fiji Staff Foundation has been able to reach further into rural and remote communities by funding organisations such as FRIEND, Rise Beyond the Reef, Home of Compassion, HART Fiji, Caritas Fiji, Father Law Home, St. Vincent De Paul, Operation Grace, and Makoi Women’s League.