Help is at hand to protect vulnerable elders across the Great Southern

More than 40 Albany households have received hygiene care packs as part of a Southern Aboriginal Corporation initiative to support vulnerable Noongar elders through the pandemic.

Last month, SAC embarked on its first roll-out of care packages, delivering toilet rolls and sanitary products to self-isolating Aboriginal communities across the Great Southern.

Following the success of the first round, the corporation has teamed up with Albany MP Peter Watson to source more hygiene packs containing in-demand items such as hand sanitiser and hand wash.

SAC chief executive Asha Bhat said the new care packages aimed to meet the needs of the local community.

“Through our consultation in the region we have uncovered a few areas of importance and have been working with various stakeholders to assist communities struggling in these areas,” she said.

“Even though the government has provided stimulus packages for people on welfare, at a time when the healthcare system is dealing with this crisis, it’s especially important to increase access to hygiene packs.”

SAC family violence prevention legal service program manager Oscar Colbung said it was important the packs now had hand sanitiser and hand wash.

“We are concerned about the serious threat COVID-19 poses to our community and providing this support enables them to stay home safe and comply with State Government directives,” he said.

“We can now provide hygiene packs to our elders who are self-isolating in Albany for the duration of this pandemic.”