Page 29 - IB August 2020

Fathers, let’s think of the kids Cover

Continued from page 17: Vanuatu
This is a strange and spent $1 million to purchase Vanuatu passports. Separately
stressful period that we are Chinese police recently arrested 27 people suspected of run-
living through, and although
we have been relatively lucky ning a US$5.7 Ponzi scheme. Six other people were arrested in
in Aotearoa and in the Pacific Vanuatu last year, where Plus Token allegedly had operations.
Islands compared to many
other parts of the world, many Regional leadership
of our families are struggling Vanuatu was due to take up Chairmanship of the Pacific
during this global pandemic Islands Forum, and host the region’s leaders this year, but
- with loss of income, cut off COVID-19 has delayed this transition. Vanuatu’s hosting is sig-
from or worry about relatives nificant as it remains the region’s strongest backer of a Free
overseas, and even just coping West Papua.
with the fear of Covid-19
itself. Father Walter Lini famously said Vanuatu and the Pacific
Given this current situation, would not be truly independent until all were free, and more
how as fathers can we do recently, Prime Minister Loughman says his government’s posi-
the best for our families, and tion was “crystal clear” about support for West Papuan inde-
particularly our children, pendence. “Their consistency and approach is commendable,”
through all of this? Pacific Islands Associaion of Non-governmental Organisations
Research from the Pacific Executive Director, Emeline Ilolahia says.
Islands Families Study at AUT Vanuatu’s state of emergency is in place until the end of
tells us about one thing that the year. Critics such as opposition MP, John Salong say it has
is crucial: We need to spend
quality time with our children become “a tool to encroach on our constitutional freedoms
and be involved in their lives. [and to]…trot out a derisory response to April’s category five
Researchers found that Cyclone Harold.”
young Pacific children exhibit TC Harold affected around 160,000 people when it hit on
and develop more positive April 6. Border closures meant the response was largely local Hamburg Süd.
behaviours and attitudes when and humanitarian supplies were subject to tight quarantine
they have involved fathers. protocols.
This research was the topic “With the delays in releasing supplies, insufficient local Oceans ahead.
of the Kiribati Language stocks of aid and remoteness of the affected areas, formal
Week instalment of AUT’s
Pacific language video series support was slow to reach people, with some of the worst
for 2020. affected communities in isolated areas not receiving any For discerning shippers, Hamburg Süd is the
At 6-years-old, behavioural official aid even after two months. In fact, supplies such as carrier of choice. With our global services,
differences were examined tool kits – urgently required in the early stages of recovery –
amongst children in the PIF were reaching some communities only three months after the high-tech cold care and atmosphere control
Study. cyclone, well after people had invested their own savings to capabilities, the whole world is within reach
Researchers observed most build back their homes,” write Linda Kenni and Eranda Wije-
fathers in the study were wickrama in their report ‘No Turning Back’. But they also say Our services are fast, frequent, and reliable
actively involved in their national humanitarian staff were able to play a greater role,
kids’ lives, and these children and our logistics skills are world class.
were found less likely to have and local communities mobilised funds and collected relief Hamburg Süd… welcome abroad!
emotional difficulty and to items. “Heavy reliance on international experts is a thing of
exhibit aggression. the past” they write. For more, please contact Williams & Gosling Ltd
With the world in turmoil it The Vanuatu Business Council is now working with Oxfam n Suva: (679) 331 2633 / info@wgfiji.com.fj
could be easy to forget what to implement an ‘unblocked cash’ program in response to TC
for many of us is common Harold and COVID-19 across Sanma, in which recipients are n Lautoka: (679) 666 4090 / helpwest@wgfiji.com.fj
sense; but this research provided with a ‘tap and pay’ card which vendors can then
reminds us that taking an process using a smart phone app. Similar mechanisms have
interest in our children is important, no matter what’s happening in involved with their children were themselves more likely to make been used to support people displaced by the Ambae volcanic
the world. healthy choices as role models for their kids – such as, giving up or
Whether this is simply taking care of them, being engaged with reducing their smoking or alcohol intake. eruption.
sports and extra-curricular activities or helping them with their And for those families who don’t have a dad in the home for That’s the sort of leadership and innovation ESCAP suggests
homework. Every action counts. whatever reason, don’t despair. is required as Vanuatu graduates from least developed country No matter what.
It can be hard to find the time to do this in a world that demands What’s most important is that children have a father-figure or role- status. The challenge, as always, will be ensuring that no-one
so much of us, let alone find time to connect face to face with our model involved in their lives, someone for them to look up to and is left behind, particularly those who’s vulnerabilities have
children when our digital lives are so demanding, but the benefits are trust. been further exposed by COVID-19 and TC Harold. www.hamburgsud-line.com
huge - not just for them but for us too as dads. Associate Professor El-Shadan Tautolo is Director of the Pacific
For example, our research also found that Pacific fathers who were Islands Families Study at the Auckland University of Technology.
editor@islandsbusiness.com

Islands Business, August 2020 29