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COVID-19 and the Pacific
October 28, 2021
Current Status
7th September 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic is having severe health and economic impacts on the Pacific region. Currently, 12 Pacific Island countries have reported cases of COVID-19:
Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas (CNMI)
Fiji
French Polynesia
Guam
New Caledonia
New Zealand
Papua New Guinea (PNG)
Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI)
Samoa
Solomon Islands
Vanuatu
Wallis and Futuna
In regards to the impact to date, multiple Pacific nations have recorded the highest 7-day rolling average of cases per million per day in the world. This means they have among the highest daily cases reported for their population size. Fiji, French Poynesia, Guam and PNG have been hit the worst. We’ve seen over 15% of the population catch COVID-19 in some regions.
But there is hope, many nations have been able to avoid COVID-19 outbreaks by utilising border restrictions and successful vaccination rollouts in some Pacific nations have helped flatten the curve of transmission. French Polynesia for example has managed to stamp out their second wave and 95% of Fijian adults have had at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine (learn more here).
What’s next
Beating the Virus
Frontline healthcare is integral to the global response to COVID-19. The Pacific already has constrained healthcare systems in the best of times so, the proven COVID-19 response of early vaccination, social distancing and mask wearing needs to be top priority in order to reduce the spread and minimise health impacts.
Larger countries like New Zealand and Australia are able to offer assistance through means of vaccines/treatments and financial support but the onus of decision making falls on the relevant governments in the Pacific region. It’s important that everyone is informed of the benefits of vaccination as misinformation has been spreading rampantly throughout the Pacific community.
Heard something worrying about vaccination? Click here
Recovery
Aside from COVID-19, the Pacific has recently been stricken with multiple natural disasters and the impact on their economies is severe. International aid/expertise, financing and specialists have already stepped in to help most of the region but this support is primarily short-term and needs to be boosted if the region is to improve.
In order for the Pacific region to thrive we need to focus at a macro and micro level, assisting individuals and SMEs because although they’ve been impacted the most, they’re also capable of the most growth. One of the biggest obstacles in this recovery is going to be access to finance. Business Link Pacific recently released their 2021 Pacific Island Financial Survey where they found over 80% of businesses have seen a decrease in turnover/profitability, citing that the vast majority are now seeking financial support.
In regards to international aid, the areas of health care, education, sustainable businesses and affordable housing are going to be key areas of focus. None of these are easy areas to tackle, but with the assistance of local knowledge, finance and good monitoring and evaluation, it is possible.
So if you have an interest in helping the Pacific or have ideas on how to help, Arco are specialists in Pacific aid and we’d love to hear from you.
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