4,430 families were assisted with food packs in the Suva-Nausori lockdown zone

A total of 4,430 ration packs was distributed to families who ran out of food in the Suva-Nausori lockdown zone over the weekend.

Each food pack had eight items which includes one 10kg rice, 4kg flour, 1kg split peas, 500ml cooking oil, 4 tin fish, 100 gram tea leaves, 2 packets of breakfast crackers and 300 gram packet of milk powder.

The cost of one pack was around $43.50.

Acting Permanent Secretary for Economy Shiri Gounder has thanked all the agencies that provided personnel and vehicles for the distribution such as Vodafone, RFMF, the Fiji Police Force and the Ministry of Health.

Gounder says the distribution was done with proper recording of every household that received the food pack.

He says major distribution was carried out in the Waidamudamu Settlement, Sakoca, Nanuku in Vatuwaqa, Sasawira Settlement, 8 Miles, Nabua, Caubati, Tacirua, Kinoya, Qarase Road, Nakasi, Davuilevu, Vuci Road, Lakena Irrigation Road and Kasavu.

Gounder says they also distributed baby meals and diapers to those who are in need.

He adds they will give the remaining food packs to the Ministry of Health which will be distributed to people who are in home isolation or cordoned off areas.

Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has raised concerns that some people tried to bypass the system.

Sayed-Khaiyum gave a number of examples of the interesting requests that were made.