Supporting new mums through the pandemic

Cash and voucher assistance is an integral part of our Disaster READY preparedness work. Our AHP partners work hard to ensure that some of the most vulnerable groups are ready and able to accept support in an emergency. One of these groups is pregnant and lactating women. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many expectant and new mums in the Solomon Islands struggled to support themselves while in hospital, particularly when they’d come in to the capital from rural areas for check-ups, treatment, or to give birth.

Joylyn is from Choiseul, a remote province in the Solomon Islands. Flights to and from the capital Honiara are weekly, so Joylyn was understandably anxious when she got sick while pregnant with her third child. “A few months ago, I fell very ill when I was pregnant with my son. I was struggling to breath and felt very weak,” she says.

Joylyn and her husband travelled to Taro hospital together, a two-hour boat ride from her village. From there Joylyn was flown to the Honiara National Referral Hospital for further treatment. 

Jolyn was thrilled to received Cash and Voucher Assistance through the Disaster READY program. She used the money to buy essential items for you children and newborn son. IMAGE: Collin Leafasia/Save the Children

But Joylyn went into labour much earlier than anticipated. “I went into labour early and delivered my son here at the National Referral Hospital during the height of the COVID pandemic. My baby was born premature, so we were moved here to the nursery unit,” Joylyn said. 

AHP partner Save the Children has been helping new mothers in the nursery and ante-natal ward at the hospital in Honiara with voucher cards. The distribution of these cards is part of the Disaster READY Cash and Voucher Assistance program— supporting families to make ends meet during the COVID-19 pandemic. The cards can be used to purchase goods and food items at any nominated store in Honiara. 

“I am very thankful to God for the voucher card Save the Children gave me. I was not expecting any support like this,” Joylyn said, having already used some of the money to buy food, mosquito nets, and nappies for baby Lanita.

“I will return home to my village next week. I will buy new clothes for my daughters and my son with the voucher card,” she added. 

The Cash and Voucher Assistance project in the Solomon Islands is a Disaster READY initiative supported by the Australian Government and implemented by Save the Children.