Iqaluit, Nunavut – January 5, 2022 – The Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA) is currently in the planning stages of offering further COVID-19 supports to all affected communities.

“The spread of COVID-19 is unprecedented in our region,” says QIA President Olayuk Akesuk. “This has stressed everyone’s capacity to the limit, and we expect to be able to deliver much needed support to our region soon.”

QIA is already delivering programs to help with food security in Pangnirtung, Sanirajak, Qikiqtarjuaq, and Igloolik.

QIA anticipates that any community outside of Iqaluit experiencing a COVID-19 outbreak will receive support in the form of food hampers, food vouchers or both. These supports will be delivered in partnership with Arctic Co-Ops Ltd.

In Iqaluit, vouchers to the Arctic Co-Ops Ltd and to Northmart will be distributed to individuals.

Details of these COVID-19 supports will be announced as they become available in individual communities. Stay tuned to QIA’s social media, website, or your local radio stations for further details.

The funds for QIA’s COVID-19 response plan come from the Indigenous Community Support Fund (ICSF) announced by the Federal Government.

For more information, please contact:

Will Hopkins, Acting Director of Communications,
Qikiqtani Inuit Association
whopkins@qia.ca
867.975.8413 or
1.800.667.2742