Novel Coronavirus Relief Efforts (Macau)
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Novel Coronavirus Relief Efforts (Macau)

Oxfam distributed rice to low-income families

Updated 15 June 2021
 

 
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Oxfam’s Response in Macau

With the outbreak of COVID-19 in Macau, an exponentially greater burden has been placed on low-income families as some workers have been laid off or furloughed. So, instead of organising one of our largest fundraisers – the Oxfam Rice Event – in its usual format, we focused our efforts on local relief work to ease low-income families' financial burden. We did this by, for instance, distributing 2.5 kg packs of rice to around 4,800 families.

 

Distributing Rice to Low-Income Families 

In Macau, we partnered with Bosco Youth Service Network, Centro Comunitário Sun Tou Tong, The Salvation Army Joy Family Integrated Service Centre and União Geral das Associações dos Moradores de Macau to distribute 2.5 kg packs of rice to around 4,800 low-income households to alleviate the pressure they are experiencing because of the coronavirus.

‘We can’t keep up with inflation, especially right now with the pandemic. It easily costs us 100 MOP to purchase simple ingredients and fruits,’ one family shared with us. Some families have also been unable to cross the Chinese border to get their groceries at a cheaper price in the Mainland markets nearby.

As of 24 April 2020, we have distributed rice to 600 low-income families, as an alternative way of holding the Oxfam Rice Event this year. (Photo: Pui Cheng Lei / Oxfam)
 
As of Dec 2020, we have distributed rice to 2,943 low-income families, as an alternative way of holding the Oxfam Rice Event this year. (Photo: Pui Cheng Lei / Oxfam) 
Together with our partners, we have paid visits to families with special needs to distribute rice and protective equipment. (Photo: Pui Cheng Lei / Oxfam)
 
Together with our partners, we have paid visits to families with special needs to distribute rice and protective equipment. (Photo: Pui Cheng Lei / Oxfam) 
Because of the coronavirus and the soaring price of necessities, low-income families are struggling. ‘We can’t keep up with inflation, especially right now with the pandemic. It easily costs us 100 MOP to purchase simple ingredients and fruits,’ one family shared. (Photo: Pui Cheng Lei / Oxfam)
 
Because of the coronavirus and the soaring price of necessities, low-income families are struggling. ‘We can’t keep up with inflation, especially right now with the pandemic. It easily costs us 100 MOP to purchase simple ingredients and fruits,’ one family shared. (Photo: Pui Cheng Lei / Oxfam)


Food Rescue and Redistribution for Families in Need

Other than distributing rice, we have given families in need vegetables and fruits rescued from wet markets. Since 2016, we have been partnering with The Salvation Army Joy Family Integrated Service Centre on a food rescue and redistribution programme. Through it, food is rescued from wet markets three times a week around Iao Hon, Rua da Praia do Manduco and Avenida de Horta e Costa, then redistributed to families in need. As of the end of 2020, over 50,000 kg of food have been rescued and redistributed to over 18,500 households through the continued support of over 80 vegetable sellers.

Sellers donate unsold but edible vegetables and fruit to us, which we then redistribute to families in need. (Photo: Pui Cheng Lei / Oxfam)
 
Sellers donate unsold but edible vegetables and fruit to us, which we then redistribute to families in need. (Photo: Pui Cheng Lei / Oxfam) 
樂施會同事與合作夥伴的職員會先檢查剩菜質素，如有壞掉的部分會先除掉。（攝影︰Pui Cheng Lei / 樂施會）
 
Together with our partner, we checked the rescued food meticulously, and threw away the rotten parts of vegetables. (Photo: Pui Cheng Lei / Oxfam) 
We grouped and checked all vegetables and food before redistributing them to people in need. (Photo: Pui Cheng Lei / Oxfam)
 
We grouped and checked all vegetables and food before redistributing them to people in need. (Photo: Pui Cheng Lei / Oxfam)

 

We at Oxfam in Macau will work with our partner organisations to continue to carry out our food rescue and distribution programme. Through our research and advocacy initiatives, we are also urging the Government to alleviate poverty through its policies, so that low-income workers and households have a better standard of living. 
 


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