Dear Editor – I read that some governments have been accused of having a ‘profound misunderstanding’ of the causes of poverty and food insecurity in their countries amidst the coronavirus pandemic sweeping the world.
Such charges I believe cannot be levelled against the Solomon Islands government, albeit the Leader of the Opposition has called for relief for parents faced with stiff school fees at this difficult time.
The SIG with the help of international partners and agencies has encouraged food production and I also have suggested cheap and practical ways in which food crops can be grown at home, even where space might be limited.
The wantok system still provides some degree of a safety net for people but I suspect such support is increasingly being weakened due to the challenges due to layoffs from regular employment, unemployment generally and the impact of climate change affecting the lives of those especially exposed to rising sea levels, flooding and the loss of food gardens.
I just wonder, however, of the economic and social consequences on the rural poor and if their voices are being heard.
We have read recently that domestic violence cases in Malaita have seen an increase since the pandemic started and there has reportedly been an increase in consuming kwaso, but is there any evidence of mental health problems, as proven to be the case in some countries in the West?
The loss of income experienced by many during the ongoing crisis must have contributed to a rise in the number of people facing difficulty with food insecurity, but I hope the SIG’s efforts, and partners, have done enough to ensure they are getting sufficient to eat and maintain their health.
Frank Short
solomonislandsinfocus
