Mothers in Paulatuk, N.W.T., rely on donations of diapers, infant formula as prices keep rising

In Paulatuk, N.W.T., mothers are facing an arduous situation as prices of essential items such as diapers and infant formula continue to rise, leaving them to depend on donations to provide for their children.

Local mothers in the hamlet of Paulatuk, located 200 kilometers north of Inuvik, are struggling to fulfill the needs of their children as the cost of essential items continues to climb. With a population of approximately 350 people, the hamlet lacks access to a full-service grocery store and is mostly serviced by the Northern Store.

The high cost of living in the remote community has made it difficult for families to pay for items such as diapers and infant formula, which can be exceptionally expensive. This has forced some mothers to rely on donations to make sure their children have what they need.

Northern Store Manager, Mary Aliyak, said the store offers a subsidy program, which provides a 10 percent discount on diapers and infant formula. While this helps to reduce the cost of these items, Aliyak admits it is still a difficult situation.

“It’s very difficult, especially when parents have multiple children,” Aliyak said. “It can be very expensive.”

The problem is further compounded by the fact that access to the store is limited. Most of the hamlet’s residents depend on the annual winter road, which is only open for a few weeks in the winter.

This has forced mothers to rely on donations from charitable organizations and other residents in the hamlet.

“The people in the community have been very generous,” said Aliyak. “We’ve seen a lot of donations of diapers, infant formula, and other items that are vital for families.”

Although the donations help, Aliyak says the long-term solution is to reduce the cost of the items.

“It’s all about the cost,” said Aliyak. “It’s too expensive. We need to find a way to reduce the cost or find an alternate source of these items.”

In the meantime, local mothers in Paulatuk remain in a difficult situation as they continue to rely on donations to provide for their children.

– In Paulatuk, N.W.T., mothers are confronting an arduous predicament as prices of necessities such as diapers and infant formula persist to escalate, leaving them to depend on donations to ensure their children’s needs are met.

The hamlet of Paulatuk, situated 200 kilometers north of Inuvik, is comprised of approximately 350 people and is primarily serviced by the Northern Store, which lacks the amenities of a full-service grocery store. As the cost of living in the remote community is high, families find it difficult to purchase items such as diapers and infant formula, which can be particularly expensive. Consequently, some mothers are forced to solicit donations to secure the necessary supplies for their children.

Northern Store Manager, Mary Aliyak, stated the store offers a subsidy program which provides a 10 percent rebate on diapers and infant formula, yet she admits this does not necessarily make it a more feasible option for parents with multiple children. Accessibility to the store is further restricted as the hamlet depends heavily on the annual winter road, which is only available for a few weeks each year. This has caused mothers to rely on generous donations from charitable organizations and other residents in the hamlet to provide for their families.

Aliyak advocates for a long-term solution to reduce the cost of these items, as current prices can be a major impediment for people in Paulatuk. In the interim, local mothers remain in an arduous position as they rely on donations to fulfill the needs of their children.

Related posts:

George