MSC COVID-19 ministry continues in the Province of the Pacific Islands

While restrictions may be easing here in Ireland, the COVID-19 pandemic remains an urgent issue in many parts of the world. The Facebook page for the MSC Province of the Pacific Islands has shared a collection of images taken by Fr Martin Everi MSC, demonstrating the relief aid offered by Fr Martin, Fr Gabby, and the parishioners of St Joseph’s Parish in Bikenibeu, Kiribati, for families affected by a recent lockdown in the Buota region.

Kiribati did not mark its first positive case of COVID-19 until May 2021; the island nation closed its borders in March 2020, with the exception of essential travel such as repatriation, and remained almost entirely COVID-free as a result. Two local seafarers tested positive for the virus in May 2021 and were quarantined immediately, and the country remained closed to international travel until January 2022 with no further cases.

The first international commercial flight in almost two years landed in Kiribati in mid-January, with 36 of the 54 passengers testing positive for the coronavirus upon arrival. The government imposed a nationwide curfew on January 19^th, and the country went into lockdown on January 22^nd, with the state of emergency having been extended since due to a rising number of cases.

As of the end of February, Kiribati had recorded over 2,900 positive COVID cases, and significant restrictions remain in place, with curfew hours from 7.00pm to 6.00am daily, and compulsory social distancing and mask-wearing in all public spaces.

At the end of January, shortly after lockdown was imposed, St Joseph’s Parish in Bikenibeu brought essential emergency aid to families in Buota who were severely affected by the restrictions. Fr Martin Everi MSC, who organised the outreach drive, posted on his Facebook page thanking those involved:

“Thank you so much our parishioners from the 19 sectors, from Nabeina (North Tarawa) to Taborio (South Tarawa), individuals, families, MP Betero and MP Terieta for your kind donation. From your generous gifts, we were able to deliver 3 loaded trucks of goods to our brothers and sisters in Buota during these challenging times.

Your kind donations will be given to families that are most affected due to this lockdown.

May God reward your acts of kindness.”

Please keep our MSC community in the Pacific Islands in your prayers, as they continue to help those most in need in the face of the ongoing pandemic.

Images courtesy of Fr Martin Everi MSC, via the Facebook page for the MSC Province of the Pacific Islands.
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