在過去的一年裡，恢復“正常”對許多人來說仍然是一個遙遠的希望。即使接種疫苗的人數上昇，染疫人數依然有增無減。這無奈對經濟有長期的負面影響，亦意味著全球許多人，包括公平貿易的農民和工人，仍然面臨著艱苦的鬥爭。

 

去年 11 月，公平貿易與多個部門的合作夥伴合作，獲得了超過 1500 萬歐元的資金，以支持公平貿易生產者採取即時救濟和長期恢復措施。爲了應對新冠肺炎的負面影響，公平貿易與合作伙伴一起開展支援農民和工人的活動。活動在加勒比海、拉丁美洲、亞洲和非洲57個國家舉行，超過949個生產者組織受益，對超過55萬名農民和工人的生活產生積極影響。

 

例如在非洲，超過330個生產者組織在19個國家將資金用於各種倡議。 從安裝太陽能電池板到生產肥皂以保護社區和創造額外收入。其中一個例子是科特迪瓦比較新的可可合作社SCOPPSPMB，它決定支持當地年輕人和婦女尋找新的、多樣化的收入方式。 她們制定了"女性商務倡議"，爲17名合作企業經營者提供資金和研修，幫助他們維持或擴大事業。通過該項目，生產者組織還創建了兩個 500 平方米的家禽養殖場，為 20 名年輕人提供當地就業機會。

 

而在加勒比和拉丁美洲，10個國家的320多個生產者組織獲得了資金支持。很大一部分資金被用來支付增加的生產成本，確保安全協議的實施或向被隔離的社區提供食品供應。洪都拉斯的咖啡生產者PROEXO利用這些資金為一些因其所在地點、收入狀況或年齡組而被認爲是最脆弱的成員購買了安全包(個人防護工具)。現在每個人和員工都感到更安全、更受保護，以應對 COVID-19 危機。

 

*資料來源: Fairtrade International

 

 

 

In the past year, a return to "normal" has remained a distant hope for many. Even with the rise in vaccinations, the number of people infected continues to grow. This inevitably has a long-term negative impact on the economy and means that many people around the world, including Fair Trade farmers and workers, are still facing an uphill battle.

 

Last November, Fairtrade, in collaboration with partners across multiple sectors, secured over €15 million in funding to support Fairtrade producers with immediate relief and long-term recovery measures. In response to the negative impact of Newcastle Pneumonia, Fairtrade worked with partners on activities to support farmers and workers. Activities were held in 57 countries in the Caribbean, Latin America, Asia and Africa, benefiting more than 949 producer organizations and positively impacting the lives of more than 550,000 farmers and workers.

 

In Africa, for example, more than 330 producer organizations in 19 countries used their funds for a variety of initiatives. From installing solar panels to producing soap to protect communities and generate additional income. One example is the relatively new cocoa cooperative SCOPPSPMB in Côte d'Ivoire, which has decided to support local young people and women in finding new and diverse ways to earn income. They developed the Women's Business Initiative, which provides funding and training to 17 cooperative business operators to help them maintain or expand their businesses. Through the project, the producers' organization also created two 500-square-meter poultry farms, providing local employment opportunities for 20 young people.

 

In the Caribbean and Latin America, more than 320 producer organizations in 10 countries received financial support. A large portion of the funds were used to cover increased production costs, ensure the implementation of safety protocols or provide food supplies to isolated communities. PROEXO, a coffee producer in Honduras, used these funds to purchase safety kits (personal protection tools) for some of its members who were considered most vulnerable because of their location, income status or age group. Now everyone and their employees feel safer and more protected in the face of the COVID-19 crisis.

 

*Source: Fairtrade International