Stories of solidarity under coronavirus
Coronavirus hasn’t affected everyone equally. We’re sharing stories from across our European and global network of what lockdown and life under coronavirus look like around the world. Hearing from those who are among the worst affected, and how they are taking action.
I’m with Malaysia
Due to the covid-19 restrictions, Malaysian fisher-folk were suddenly unable to sell their fish as usual.
Restaurants, hotels and some markets were forced to close, and middlemen were no longer buying their landed catch.
Fishermen lost their customers and their income. The distruption to supply chains led to a spike in the price of fish for ordinary people.
However, a few fisher-folk took the initiative to work out new supply chains. They started selling their fish directly to consumers. This helped to stabilise the price of fish, and ensure that consumers could directly benefiting from it.
Sahabat Alam Malaysia / Friends of the Earth Malaysia is now wokring on ways to support the fisher-folk in setting up a new delivery system called ‘from fisher to consumer’. Short food supply chains like this can bypass the traditional role of middlemen, wholesalers and retailers.
Azrul Faizal Mohamed, from Sahabat Alam Malaysia / Friends of the Earth Malaysia said:
“We are helping to build a network among local communities and consumers and also take orders online.
“This system will improve the livelihood of fishermen, promote local food security, and reduce household expenditure for consumers.“
We think you’d also like:
Covid solidarity
The Covid-19 pandemic hasn’t affected everyone equally. We hear from those who are among the worst affected, and how they are taking action.
