Since the start of the COVID-19 epidemic in Taiwan, the Rerum Novarum Center has been quite concerned about the foreign fishermen at the ports, because of their living and working environment are relatively remote and the information and materials for epidemic prevention are scarce. The Taiwan government continues to adjust the epidemic prevention methods according to the current situation of the epidemic.
All aspects of information flow in the ports are relatively weak, resulting in the lack of information. Therefore, as soon as the Taiwan epidemic broke out, the Center staff immediately transmitted the relevant information to the foreign fishermen by walking through the northern Taiwan ports, where every fisherman who could be reached and cared for. The Center hopes that they can also pass the relevant epidemic prevention messages to other relatives and friends in Taiwan, and in their home country as well.
A caring citizen contacted the Center and said that she wanted to help the foreign fishermen. She can sew, hopes to make mask covers and donate them to the fishermen. She knew that masks are currently difficult to obtain, not to mention those working in the rural areas and the foreign fishermen whose working hours are not fixed. Through the use of the mask cover, the mask can be used for a longer period of time. Upon receiving the mask covers, the Center staff immediately arranged time to visit the various ports in the north, bringing the mask covers, plus the medical masks donated by other kindhearted citizens and distributing to each person a mask, taught them how to use and clean the mask cover, so that they can protect themselves during this severe time of the epidemic. There are only very few fishermen wearing masks at the port. The fishermen are very grateful for the concern shown by the Taiwanese people. The masks worn by the fishermen easily get dirty due to the working environment, and the supply is not enough. The fishermen are glad to be able to get a mask and a mask cover so that the mask can be used longer.
In addition, the Center purchased paper soap. Through the promotion and distribution of the paper soap, the foreign fishermen can develop the habit of washing their hands with soap instead of simply washing their hands with water
(this is related to the living habits in their home country), before and after work, before meals, before and after going to the toilet, etc.
The Center staff continue to assist in the measurement of body temperature during its outreach care services, so that the fishermen are aware of their own temperature status, and strengthen their ability to judge their own health status. Should there be any abnormality, they would know how to ask for assistance. Hope it can be extended to fellow villagers or colleagues in the surrounding areas, so that foreign fishermen can keep the epidemic prevention uninterrupted, get the latest information on the epidemic situation, practice self-protection and health management.
For a long time, the fishermen have been a group neglected by the outside world. Since 2017, the Rerum Novarum Center has approached this group of brothers from the sea. In addition to living care, the Center has actually extended assistance to the foreign fishermen in solving disputes on wages, occupational disasters, medical treatment and legal issues, job transfers as well as human trafficking cases.
We hope to rely on everyone's strength and support, to continue to walk with this group of brethren who have never been cared for,
to give them hope and spread joy!
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